Around the middle of the year, the main source of inspiration isn’t a new art history book or a huge gallery opening. Instead, it’s the almost infinite stream of photographic exhibition 2026 displays. Recently, the idea of having open calls just for photography shows has grown even more. They are now held year-round at festivals and other cultural events.
That means you can look forward to digital contributions that will keep you up to date on all the most exciting upcoming photography shows.
It can be hard to remember the deadlines for photography exhibitions in 2026, but you can scroll down to see what’s coming up to make it easier. We are also keeping track of the New York photography shows and international shows that have previously happened. If you missed one, you can merely click the link in each slide to see the best parts of the show.
We’ll maintain this list of photography shows up-to-date all year long, so you can come back often to see what’s new as soon as it’s announced.
1. Sony World Photography Awards
Link: Sony World Photography Awards | World Photography Organisation
- Location: London
- Exhibition Dates: April 17 – May 4, 2026
- Entry Fee: Completely free for all participants
The 2026 competition cycle is finished. Submissions closed in early January. Judges received over 430,000 images. Winners will appear in London soon. The entry deadline for the next cycle starts in June.
Photographers can plan a smarter entry now. You should pick a specific category. Professional photographers submit image series. Open category entrants submit single photos. Students must follow a specific theme. Most photos must date from the current year.
The contest requires no entry fee. Participation stays free for everyone. New calls for entry begin on June 1. Winners receive cash prizes. They also get Sony digital equipment. The grand winner earns 25,000 dollars.
Shortlists arrive in February. Finalists get news in March. The ceremony happens in April. Somerset House hosts the main exhibition. Joel Meyerowitz receives a special honor this year. You can prepare your best work today.
2. World Press Photo Contest
Link: 2026 Contest | World Press Photo
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (at De Nieuwe Kerk)
- Date: 24 April – 27 September 2026
- Entry Fee: Free of charge
The 2026 entry period is closed. Submissions ended in January. The contest now moves to judging. Regional juries shortlisted many entries. The global jury met in Amsterdam. Kira Pollack chairs the global jury.
The organizers announce regional winners on April 9. Global winners receive news on April 23. The Amsterdam exhibition opens on April 24. World Press Photo Days start in late May. The winners receive cash prizes. All regional winners get 1,000 euros. Global winners get 10,000 euros.
The contest travels to 80 cities. Only professional photographers can participate. People from 6 regions submit work. Africa has its own jury. Asia Pacific has its own jury. The 2027 contest opens in December. You should prepare your professional portfolio now.
3. Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Link: Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum
- Location: London
- Date: 12 July, 2026
- Entry fee: £35
The 2026 entry period is closed. Submissions ended in December. The contest now begins the exhibition phase. Judges evaluate animals in photography for the next show. The People’s Choice voting closes on March 18. Winners receive news in late March.
The London exhibition concludes in July. A new awards ceremony happens in October. The 63rd competition opens on October 19. Other wildlife contests remain open now. European residents can enter the GDT awards. The NPOTY contest opens on March 9. UK residents can enter the BBC awards.
Winning images travel the world. The Toronto show stays open until March. The Abu Dhabi show closes in June. Copenhagen hosts the images until September. Photographers should watch for new deadlines. You must prepare your best nature shots.
4. Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize
Link: Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2025 – National Portrait Gallery
- Location: London
- Date: 5 November 2026 to 17 January 2027
- Entry fee: £22
The National Portrait Gallery hosts this famous competition. The London contest opens in March 2026. Submissions usually close in April. This prize welcomes all photographers over 18. Each entry costs 22 pounds. The first prize winner receives 15,000 pounds. The gallery selects one artist for a special commission. The main exhibition begins in November.
Ireland holds a separate inaugural prize. This competition closed in January. The Irish contest theme is Community. Judges announce the shortlist in March. The Dublin exhibition opens in April. This prize fund totals 25,000 euros. The top winner gets 10,000 euros.
The 2025 touring exhibition remains open. People can visit the Sheffield gallery now. This show ends on May 10. The National Portrait Gallery website provides more details. You should check the official rules today. You can prepare your best portraits now.
5. Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Link: ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition
- Location: National Maritime Museum
- Date: Until 3 August 2026
- Entry fee: £12 (Adult), £6 (Child), £9 (Student)
The 2026 submission period remains open. The entry window closes on March 2. Photographers must submit work by noon. The Royal Observatory Greenwich organizes this contest. You can enter up to 10 images. Photos must date from January 2025.
Adult entrants pay a 10-pound fee. Young photographers enter for free. Specific categories include galaxies. Other categories feature the moon. Participants may win special newcomer prizes. Judges notify the shortlist in April. Winners receive their awards in September.
The overall winner earns 10,000 pounds. Category winners get 1,500 pounds. The National Maritime Museum hosts the exhibition. This show displays 100 images. The current 2025 exhibition stays open until August. You can visit the London gallery daily. You should upload your space photos now.
6. Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY)
Link: Travel Photographer of the Year – The travel photography awards
- Location: London
- Date: Late Summer 2026
- Entry fee: £12–£95
The 2026 competition cycle opens in June. Submissions close in mid-October. This contest welcomes photographers from every country. Professionals enter their best portfolios. Amateurs submit single images. Young photographers enter the contest for free. Winners receive their titles in January 2027.
The landscape of photography changes every year. Judges seek authentic stories. You must provide original RAW files. The rules strictly forbid AI content. Most categories require four related images. This structure improves your landscape photography skills. You can buy an unlimited entry pass in July.
The Royal Geographical Society hosts the exhibition. Visitors can see the 2025 winners this summer. Athanasios Maloukos won the top prize last year. Jamie Smart earned the Young TPOTY title. Many entrants practice landscape photography for these awards. You should prepare your four-image sets now.
7. 9th Triennial of Photography Hamburg
Link: Triennial of Photography Hamburg
- Location: Hamburg, Germany
- Date: 5 June to 22 September 2026
- Entry fee: Varies by venue, with some free events
The festival begins on June 5. The event ends on September 22. Dr. Mark Sealy directs the artistic vision. The main theme explores alliance. The theme also examines love. Opening days run through June 14.
The student competition deadline arrives tomorrow. Students must submit work by February 27. The student theme is Same. The FUTURES open call closed in January. Local artists joined the Triennial Expanded program. Selected projects will appear during the opening week.
Eight major institutions host eleven exhibitions. Deichtorhallen Hamburg features the flagship show. Hamburger Kunsthalle hosts a group exhibition. The Museum of Work displays activist photography. Kunsthaus Hamburg presents a solo show. MARKK shows historical images from Peru. Other venues include the Bucerius Kunst Forum. You can visit the festival across Hamburg. You should book your travel tickets soon.
8. Belfast Photo Festival
Link: Belfast Photo Festival
- Location: Belfast, UK
- Date: 4 June to 30 June 2026
- Entry fee: £26 per entry (up to 15 images)
The 2026 entry period remains open. The submission window closes on March 2. Photographers of all levels can enter. The current theme remains open to any style. You must submit your work through the Picter platform. The standard entry fee costs 26 pounds. Each applicant can upload 15 images.
Selected finalists receive high visibility. The Spotlight Award provides 2,000 pounds. Winners exhibit their work in large formats. Over 100,000 visitors see these displays. Leading curators from MoMA provide spotlight interviews. Winning projects travel to Switzerland in 2026.
The main festival starts on June 4. The public exhibitions run until June 30. Thirty museums host these high-profile events. Judges contact the shortlisted artists in April. The city hosts many photography workshops. Visitors can attend artist talks. You should submit your best portfolio today.
9. PhotoBrussels Festival
Link: PhotoBrussels Festival
- Location: Brussels, Belgium
- Date: 23 January to 22 February 2026
- Entry fee: €10 (main exhibition at Hangar), Free (partner galleries)
The 10th festival edition runs now. The event ends on February 22. Main program entries are closed. This anniversary edition highlights Belgian artists. Half of the participants come from Belgium. Brussels hosts 52 different exhibitions. The Hangar center features the flagship show. Lee Shulman displays family stories there.
You can still join partner events. The Brussels Street Photography Festival accepts entries. This specific deadline is March 25. Winners will show their work in May. You must apply through the official website. Some venues still host workshops. Other galleries offer guided tours.
Preparation for 2027 starts soon. New registrations open in June. Artists should contact participating galleries directly. The festival works as a decentralized ecosystem. Many exhibitions stay open daily. You should visit the Brussels galleries this week.
10. Kyotographie 2026
Link: KYOTOGRAPHIE 京都国際写真祭
- Location: Kyoto, Japan
- Date: 18 April to 17 May 2026
- Entry fee: ¥5,500 (Adults) / ¥3,000 (Students) [Advanced Price]
¥5,800 (Digital) / ¥6,000 (Paper) [Festival Price]
The 14th festival edition begins on April 18. The event ends on May 17. Kyoto transforms into a city-wide stage. Historic temples host many site-specific exhibitions. The 2026 theme is EDGE. This theme explores social peripheries. The main program features 13 artists from 8 countries.
Independent artists can still participate in the photobook fair. The open call deadline is March 6. Photographers can submit self-published art books. This marketplace opens at the ROHM Theatre Kyoto. The KG+ SELECT competition is now closed. Ten emerging artists received production grants. One grand winner earns a solo show for 2027.
Visitors can buy a passport ticket soon. This pass allows entry to all main shows. The Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art hosts central works. The public program includes artist talks. Families can attend special kids’ workshops. You should book your Kyoto travel early.
11. BOP (Bristol's Photobook Festival)
Link: BOP Bristol
- Location: Bristol, UK
- Date: 17–18 October 2026
- Entry fee: Free (Main Book Fair and Exhibitions)
The festival returns on October 17. The event ends on October 18. The Martin Parr Foundation organizes this celebration. Paintworks hosts the main activities in Bristol. Stall applications open in the spring. Photographers can apply for a table soon. International publishers will showcase new books.
Emerging artists can join the BOPFOLIO program. This open call supports unpublished photographers. Selected creators display their book dummies. The festival coincides with the Bristol Photo Festival. Visitors attend the main event for free. Some artist talks require a paid ticket. The weekend includes a photo pub quiz.
The foundation hosts several shows before October. Martin Parr exhibits his iconic work now. This exhibition runs until May 24. Craig Easton gives a talk in March. Lua Ribeira speaks on March 19. Amak Mahmoodian visits the foundation in May. You should subscribe to the official newsletter. You can visit the Bristol galleries this autumn.
12. Getxophoto
Link: Getxophoto – International images Festival
- Location: Getxo, Basque Country, Spain
- Date: 28 May – 21 June 2026
- Entry fee: Free (Exhibitions in public spaces)
The 2026 festival starts on May 28. The event ends on June 21. Main program entries are closed. The submission deadline passed in November. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary. The official theme is RESET. This theme explores new visual narratives. The festival takes place in Getxo.
Three winners will show their work. Each winner receives a 500-euro fee. The festival covers production costs. Finalists get free accommodation during opening week. Getxophoto uses unique open-air spaces. Artists display images on building facades. Many creators use shop windows.
The 2027 open call begins in September. Photographers should prepare their portfolios now. The submission fee costs 22 euros. You must use the Pictur platform. The festival accepts digital art. It also welcomes video installations. Visitors can join cultural walking routes. You should explore the Basque Country this June.
13. LensCulture Art Photography Awards
Link: Art Photography Awards 2026 – LensCulture
- Location: International (Exhibition in London, New York, or Paris)
- Date: 22 April 2026 (Submission Deadline)
- Entry fee: Free (Single Entry), $35 (5 Single Images), $45 (Series up to 10 images)
The 2026 entry period is closed. Submissions ended in December. LensCulture announced the 40 winners on February 12. These artists represent 124 countries. The top winners received 10,000 dollars. This competition celebrates contemporary photography. New York hosts the flagship exhibition this spring. Winners appear during The Photography Show.
An online gallery features all finalists now. You can view these diverse artistic practices. The 2026 Portrait Awards recently closed. Photo London will host those winners. The Visual Story Award remains open. You must submit your work by February 28.
The next cycle starts in late 2026. Most categories accept experimental processes. Visionary artists share personal narratives here. You should prepare your best contemporary photography portfolio. Visit the LensCulture website for future updates. You can enter several different awards throughout the year.
14. British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA)
Link: British Wildlife Photography Awards
- Location: UK (National Tour)
- Date: 10 March 2026 (Winners Announcement)
- Entry fee: £15 (1 Entry), £30 (10 Entries). £60 (50 Entries), Free (Youth Competition, up to 10 images)
The 2026 competition cycle is closed. Judges finished the selection process. Organizers announce the official winners on March 10. The 2027 competition opens that same day. This new entry window closes in June.
Winning images tour the UK this year. Nunnington Hall hosts the show in May. Nature in Art presents the photos in July. The Horniman Museum exhibition starts on July 23. All submitted photos must show British wildlife. Entrants can live in any country. Adults pay 15 pounds for one image. Youth participants enter for free.
The total prize fund reaches 10,000 pounds. The overall winner receives 5,000 pounds. Categories include urban wildlife. Other categories feature animal behavior. You can enter the BBC Wildlife awards now. That separate contest closes on April 1. The BBC grand prize is a trip to Guyana. You should prepare your British nature photos today.
15. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year
Link: Pink Lady Food Photographer Of The Year Shortlist 2024 – World Food Photography Awards
- Location: London, UK
- Date: 3 June – 7 June 2026
- Entry fee: £35 (up to 6 images), £7 (Additional images), Free (Youth, RPS Student, and “UK for UNHCR Food as Home” categories)
The 2026 submission period is closed. The final deadline passed on February 8. Judges evaluate the food images now. Shortlisted entrants receive emails this month. The official winners announcement happens on June 2. The Mall Galleries hosts the Awards Evening. This London venue displays the photos until June 7. Admission to the exhibition costs nothing.
The competition changed its name. It is now the World Food Photography Awards. The overall winner receives 5,000 pounds. David Loftus chairs the judging panel. New categories help refugee photographers. One new category is Food as Home.
The 2027 contest opens in September. Amateurs can enter the next cycle. Professionals can submit their portfolios too. Adult entries cost 35 pounds. Students enter the competition for free. Young photographers pay no entry fee. You should plan your food shoots now. You can check the official website for updates.
16. MonoVisions Photography Awards
Link: MonoVisions Photography Awards – International Black and White Photo Contest – Home
- Location: International
- Date: 17 May 2026 (Final Deadline)
- Entry fee: $25 (Single Image), $30 (Series up to 8 images)
The 2026 entry period is open. This contest celebrates black and white photography. The final deadline is May 17. Organizers announce winners in late July. Professionals can enter the competition. Amateurs can submit their work too.
The contest features two main sections. Single images cost 25 dollars. A series costs 30 dollars. One series includes eight images. You can choose from twelve categories. These categories include architecture. Artists often submit macro photography for the nature category. Other categories feature street photography.
The total prize pool reaches 5,000 dollars. The best series winner earns 3,000 dollars. The top single photo earns 2,000 dollars. Winners receive digital badges. They also get international press coverage. All images must use JPG format. The longest side must measure 1,200 pixels. You should upload your best monochromatic work now.
17. iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAWARDS)
Link: OPEN FOR ENTRIES – 19th Annual iPhone Photography Awards – IPPAWARDS | iPhone Photography Awards
- Location: International
- Date: 31 March 2026 (Submission Deadline)
- Entry fee: $7.50 (1 Image), $15.50 (3 Images), $25.50 (5 Images), $55.50 (10 Images), $95.50 (25 Images), $150.50 (50 Images)
The 2026 entry period is open. The final submission deadline is March 31. This contest celebrates mobile photography. You must use an iPhone. You can use an iPad. Photographers must avoid desktop software. You can use iOS apps for editing. Add-on lenses are allowed.
The entry fee starts at five dollars. Bundle pricing helps larger submissions. You can choose from fourteen main categories. These categories include architecture. Other categories feature sunsets. The series category requires three images.
Top winners earn Photographer of the Year titles. First-place winners receive gold bars. Second-place winners get platinum bars. Third-place winners also get platinum bars. The official website features winning images. Winners get international press coverage. Photos must measure 1,000 pixels minimum. You should enter your best mobile shots today.
18. Imaging USA
Link: Attend Imaging USA 2027 | Imaging USA 2026
- Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
- Date: 31 January – 2 February 2027
- Entry fee: $289 (early bird for PPA members)
The 2026 convention ends today. The event happened in Texas. The Professional Photographers of America organized this expo. Leading brands showed new gear. Canon displayed the latest cameras. Nikon featured professional software. Sony filled many booths.
You can join the 2027 cycle soon. The IPC competition opens in May. Photographers earn merit titles. These winners display work in 2027. Diamond photographers receive high honors. Platinum winners get special recognition. Speaker applications open in March. Professional photographers lead main sessions.
The 2027 registration starts in September. Members get large discounts. Full passes cost 179 dollars. The next event moves to Orlando. Inky Johnson gave the 2026 keynote speech. The Grand Imaging Awards honored elite excellence. Wedding photographers attended a specialized bridal show. You should plan your 2027 trip now.
FAQs
What is exhibition photography?
Exhibition photography is a physical medium of photography. Artists print images for gallery displays. These shows emphasize high print quality. The photos showcase a specific artistic vision. It is a curated visual story.
What are the best photography contests for beginners to enter in 2026?
Beginners can enter the iPhone Photography Awards. This contest focuses on smartphone creativity. The IPA amateur category offers global exposure. Newcomers enter the CEWE Photo Award. These platforms welcome non-professional photographers.
Are there any photography contests in 2026 with free entry?
The HIPA contest offers free entry. The Sony World Photography Awards costs nothing. Nikon provides a prestigious free competition. Youth photographers enter the British Wildlife Awards. These contests help artists save money.
How to participate in a photography exhibition?
Artists enter a photography open juried exhibition. Many festivals host juried photography shows. You submit work to juried exhibitions. Curators look for a landscape photography exhibit. Some galleries want a Nostalgia Photography Exhibit.
Final Thought
In 2026, photographers can take part in a lot of shows. Festivals around the world give out cash awards. You need to check the exact due dates. A lot of open calls end in March. These competitions are good for your profession. Visit Zenith Clipping today to get expert photo editing services!
