The natural world is under unprecedented pressure. Earth Photo 2026 invites photographers and filmmakers to document the resilience, beauty, and fragility of our planet. This international competition is not merely a showcase of landscapes. It is a platform for storytelling that sparks conversation about the environment and our place within it. Established by Forestry England, the Royal Geographical Society, and Parker Harris, this event has grown into a leading voice in environmental visual arts.
If you are looking for photography contests online that offer more than just a digital gallery, Earth Photo is a prime choice. It connects selected artists with major institutions and offers physical exhibitions in some of the UK’s most prestigious and scenic locations. The 2026 edition calls for work that goes beyond the surface to explore the urgent issues shaping our time.
The deadline for submissions is March 4, 2026. Open to practitioners worldwide working in any lens-based media, the competition encourages both single images and series. With an entry fee that allows for multiple submissions and a prize pool focused on career development and funding, this is an essential opportunity for those documenting life on Earth.
Contents
Prizes
Earth Photo 2026 offers a range of awards designed to support photographers through funding, mentoring, and exposure. The prize list includes significant cash prizes and career-defining opportunities.
- Earth Photo Award 2026: £1,000 for an outstanding photography project telling a compelling story about life on Earth.
- Climate of Change Award: £500 for work exploring the impacts of climate change or highlighting resilience.
- Moving Image Award: £500 for the most powerful short film.
- Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize: A two-week residency at The Rodd for a UK-based practitioner.
- David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Awards: Two awards for practitioners aged 25 or under. Each receives £250 and mentoring.
- Photoworks Digital Residency: £400 award and a digital collaboration with Photoworks.
- New Scientist Editors Award: Mentoring from the New Scientist editorial team and potential publication.
- Exhibitions: Selected works will be shown at the Royal Geographical Society in London and tour to venues like Belvoir Castle and Dalby Forest.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
While Earth Photo is open to all genres, including documentary, fine art, and photojournalism, the organizers are particularly interested in work that addresses specific themes. You can submit images or short films that explore:
- Human Connections: Identity, climate, and our relationship with the natural world.
- Development and Justice: The balance between sustainability and progress.
- Ecosystems: The social and natural value of environments.
- Biodiversity and Emergency: Conservation efforts and the reality of the climate crisis.
- Indigenous Knowledge: Resilience and adaptation to change.
Dates and Entry Fees
The competition operates on a simple fee structure that allows for a generous number of entries. This encourages the submission of full narratives or series.
- Submission Deadline: March 4, 2026.
- Entry Fee: £15 for 10 images or films.
How to Enter
Submissions are accepted via the ArtOpps online portal. You must upload your images or film files before the deadline.
- Quantity: You may submit up to 10 works.
- Format: Still images or moving images (short films between 5 seconds and 5 minutes).
- Requirements: You must include a CV (up to 500 words), a short artist statement (up to 250 words), and captions for each submitted work (up to 100 words each).
- Timeline: Shortlisted artists will be notified by April 9, 2026.
About the Jury
The selection process is overseen by a panel of distinguished experts from the worlds of photography, curation, and journalism. The 2026 jury includes:
- Louise Fedotov-Clements: Director of Photoworks.
- Peggy Sue Amison: Artistic Director of East Wing.
- Shahidul Alam: Renowned photographer and Time Person of the Year 2018.
- Serubiri Moses: Curator and author based in New York.
- Emma Bowkett: Director of Photography at the Financial Times Weekend Magazine.
- Yining He: Researcher and curator of visual arts based in China.
Why Enter Earth Photo 2026?
Earth Photo distinguishes itself by its venue and its mission. Having your work exhibited at the Royal Geographical Society in London places it in a historic context of exploration and geographical study. The touring nature of the exhibition ensures that your images travel to diverse audiences across the UK, from city centers to national forests.
Furthermore, among the best photography contests focused on the environment, Earth Photo offers tangible career development. The mentorships and residencies provide growth opportunities that go beyond a simple cash transaction. Whether you focus on nature photography or hard-hitting environmental journalism, this platform amplifies your voice.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Earth Photo 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Copyright: Artists retain full copyright of their work.
Usage Rights: By entering, you grant the organizers the right to reproduce the works for the purpose of the awards, exhibition, and promotion. This includes marketing materials, the website, and social media channels.
Eligibility: The contest is open to artists and image-makers worldwide. Works should generally have been created within the last five years, though exceptions are made for long-term archival projects.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
