Deadline: January 9, 2026
The Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 is now officially open for submissions, offering one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for professional photographers to showcase their work. As one of the top international press-photography competitions, the Istanbul Photo Awards annually attracts thousands of entries from around the globe — and the 2026 edition promises to be even more remarkable.
This well-structured guide provides everything you need to know about the Istanbul Photo Awards 2026, including eligibility, categories, prizes, deadlines, and submission rules.
About the Istanbul Photo Awards 2026
The Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 marks the 12th edition of the competition. Organised by Anadolu Agency (AA), it celebrates compelling photojournalism and recognises photographers whose work captures global events, culture, conflict, daily life and more.
Renowned for its high standards, the competition typically receives nearly 20,000 submissions each year — reflecting its global relevance, credibility, and prestige.
Competition Categories
The competition includes 10 categories across single and story submissions. Photographers may submit images taken between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025.
Single Image Categories (1 photo per application)
- News
- Sports
- Nature & Environment
- Portrait
- Daily Life
Story Categories (10 photos per story)
- Story News
- Story Sports
- Story Nature & Environment
- Story Portrait
- Story Daily Life
Submission Limits
- Up to 4 different images per single-image category
- Up to 2 different stories per story category
- The same photo cannot be submitted to more than one category
Prizes
The Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 offers an impressive US $58,000 total prize pool.
Prize Breakdown
- Photo of the Year (Top Single News Photo): US $6,000
- First Place (each category): US $3,000
- Second Place (each category): US $1,500
- Third Place (each category): US $1,000
Winners also gain international exposure through exhibitions, global media features, and inclusion in the annual awards photobook.
Eligibility
The competition is open exclusively to professional photographers, defined as individuals who:
- Earn (or have earned) the majority of their income from photography
- Regularly publish or sell their work through media organisations, agencies, or similar outlets
- Freelancers are fully eligible to apply
Both published and unpublished photos taken in 2025 are accepted.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only through the official platform. Ensure all submissions meet category rules, technical specifications, and time-frame requirements.
Key Dates
- Applications Opened: 13 November 2025
- Deadline for Submissions: 9 January 2026 (23:59 Istanbul time, UTC+3)
- Winner Announcement: Expected between March–April 2026
Early submission is recommended due to the global volume of entries.
Conclusion
The Istanbul Photo Awards 2026 is a premier opportunity for professional photographers to gain global recognition, win substantial cash prizes, and showcase impactful visual storytelling. If you have powerful images taken in 2025, this competition offers an excellent platform to share your work with the world.
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