Whether you have flexible hours, time off school, or you’re enjoying some relaxing long-weekend vacations, summer is the perfect time to dig through your image archives and enter photography contests. Beyond being a photogenic season, summer is chock-full of contests that appeal to all types of photographers. Sports action? Check. Landscapes? Check. And just about everything in between? You guessed it — check, check, check.
If you’re ready to enter your work into a photography contest but you’re not sure where to begin, we’ve compiled a list of the top summer photo contests to get you started.
Adorama’s Top Photographer Challenge with Nigel Barker
Deadline: Monthly
Following the success of its Top Photographer with Nigel Barker awards program, Adorama is bringing back this popular contest in an exciting new format: IGTV! Every month, Nigel and a variety of esteemed guests will announce a new challenge via @adorama’s IGTV. To submit work, post your shots using the challenge hashtags and tune in at the end of the month as Nigel announces the winners live. Learn more about July’s challenge — Landscapes — over on IGTV. Adorama’s Top Photographer contest is free to enter and open to everyone.
The 2019 Wildlife Photo Contest
Deadline: August 10, 2019
Sponsored by Tamron, Zeiss, and Pangolin Photo Safaris, the annual Wildlife Photo Contest hosted by Outdoor Photographer gives animal-loving photographers the chance to submit their best work in this free-to-enter contest. Aligned with Outdoor Photographer’s mission, wildlife images must be taken ethically. The grand prize winner will take home a $1,000 cash prize, as well as one Pangolin Photo Safari package and a variety of high-value gear.
ND Awards
Deadline: September 22, 2019
The Neutral Density Awards program, part of ND Magazine, brings together the best of the best in the world of photography. These awards aren’t niche specific; photographers can enter categories that include architecture, fine art, editorial, nature, people, and more, with professional and non-professional categories. Entrance fees are around $20, with the grand prize winner taking home over $7,500 in awards.
International Color Awards
Deadline: September 27, 2019
The International Color Awards recognize the best in color photography, and they’ve been doing so for 13 years. The 2019 program is open to professional and amateur photographers, with a diverse range of categories — from abstract to photojournalism and wildlife to fashion. Entrance fees begin at $30; prizes start at $1,500.
If you need a bit of training to build confidence for those big photo contests, head over to AdoramaTV for free guides, including how to take and make great photography with seasoned photographer, Gavin Hoey.
