The Top Distinguished Awards Sought After Among Photographers
If you’re curious about the rewards of being a photographer, look no further than the top three international awards sought after by photographers.
Title: The Top Awards Sought After Among Photographers
Any competition can be intimidating, but that’s part of the learning process. Regardless of your profession or hobby, it’s undeniable that being recognized for any talent is a great feeling. For photographers, an award is one of the most validating rewards they can receive for their craft. Below you’ll find the top three most sought-after awards by photographers and the details of the honor that each one offers.
The International Photography Awards
The International Photography Awards, or IPA, has been recognizing photographers for 20 years. The IPA is part of the Lucie Foundation, a nonprofit organization honoring photography talent and inspiring appreciation for photography across the globe.
Every year, the IPA pays tribute to professional, amateur, and student photographers. Two awards are available through IPA and are announced during the annual Lucie Awards Gala. Generally, there are 11 category winners in the professional field and non-professional field. Each one receives between $600 and $1,200 in prize money.
The first prize, the International Photographer of the Year professional award, is chosen from 11 categories. The winner receives the Lucie Trophy, along with a $12,000 cash prize. The Discovery of the Year winner is a non-professional recognition, receiving a Lucie Trophy and $6,000.
The International Photography Awards Categories
Though the IPA recognizes two major awards, it also honors photographers with various titles. These include Fine Art Photographer of the Year, Sports Photographer of the Year, Architectural Photographer of the Year, and Editorial Photographer of the Year to name a few.
Sony World Photography Awards
The Sony World Photography Awards, or SWPA, was founded in 2007 and has become one of the largest competitions in the world. The competition is divided into four levels that include professional, open, student, and youth. Regardless of your level of expertise, you can enter the SWPA for free.
The top prize is $25,000 for professional winners. Entries to the open, student, and youth categories could win $5,000, Sony equipment, trophies, and other prizes. The SWPA also has a new category with a cash prize of $5,000. The category is open to photographers working on a project relating to sustainability. Like most of the SWPA entries, photographers can enter 10 categories.
Monovisions Photography Awards
Ansel Adams was famous for his monochrome photography and has inspired many photographers to follow suit. Monovisions Photography Awards, or MPA, focuses on monochrome photography. Two winners are selected for MPA awards, a Black and White Series of the Year and a Black and White Photo of the Year.
With 12 categories, including abstract, architecture, landscapes, people, travel, and several others, the MPA offers many opportunities for submissions. The largest cash prize is $3,000 for the series award and $2,000 for the photo of the year award. Other prizes include badges and certificates.
Other Photography Competitions
Many other competitions are held worldwide. The National Geographic Photo Contest is also one of the most popular photography competitions. Categories include people, nature, and places around the world. It’s important to know that categories usually change.
Other photography competitions include the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest, Prix Virginia International Photography Prize for Women, Smithsonian Photo Contest, Alexia Foundation Student Grant, and the iPhone Photography Awards.
Deadlines and More
Each competition is different. Some may require fees while others are free to enter. Every competition also has a set of rules you should follow before your entry is accepted. Requirements could include photo captions, copyright information, etc. It’s vital to learn all the rules before signing on the dotted line.
Competitions are held throughout the year. Some are yearly, while others are biannual and so on. It’s best to stay up to date on deadlines by visiting each competition’s web page. If you’re intimidated by entering large photography competitions, look into local ones. Many magazines and fine art museums may host competitions near you.
Entering A Photography Competition
Even if you feel you’re not good enough to win a competition, it’s never a bad idea to enter one. Your work will be seen by experts in the field, which can offer guidance and opportunities to improve your skills. Photo competitions can provide inspiration for your work.
Competitions also encourage discipline with personal projects and allow you to view your work more objectively. They are a great way to evolve regardless of whether or not you want to earn a living in photography or to improve as an amateur.
