Could your lens capture the beating heart of a breast cancer journey? The Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025, now in its 14th edition, challenges France-based creators to shine a light on powerful stories through photography. Open from 10 June to 20 August 2025, this free photo contest awards a Grand Jury Prize, two Accessit Prizes and the Téva Audience Award—each offering publication, equipment, subscriptions and exclusive exhibition invitations. As one of the best online photography challenges we showcase, it ranks among the most impactful documentary photography competitions.
The competition’s 2025 theme, “Closer to the Heart,” invites participants to tell intimate stories of women—and, more rarely, men—facing breast cancer. Since launching in 2012 to honour Evelyn H. Lauder and support the Ruban Rose Association, the award has welcomed hundreds of entries nationwide, blending artistry with advocacy. Eligibility extends to all amateur and professional photographers residing in France, with submissions handled via the official online form.
Finalists and winners gain a unique platform: 40 projects shortlisted by a multidisciplinary jury will be revealed on 1 October, followed by public voting for the Téva Audience Award, and celebratory announcements during Paris Photo 2025 on 9 November at the Grand Palais. This zero-fee contest not only offers substantial grants and equipment but also fosters genuine solidarity between artists, communities and leading industry partners.
The Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025 Prizes
This year’s contest features four distinct awards recognizing excellence in storytelling and impact:
- Grand Jury Prize:
- Publication in national magazines (Marie Claire, Polka) and on Polka’s website
- AFujifilm X-T5 Kit (16-80 mm, €2 399 TTC)
- One-year subscriptions to Polka Magazine and Marie Claire
- Personalized print session at Atelier Picto Bastille
- €300 Picto Online voucher
- Invitation to the Galerie Polka vernissage
- Accessit Prizes (× 2): Each winner receives:
- A Fujifilm X-T30 Kit (XC 15-45 mm, €1 049 TTC)
- One-year subscriptions to Polka Magazine and Marie Claire
- €300 Picto Online voucher
- Galerie Polka vernissage invitation
- Téva Audience Award:
- A one-year cosmetic package (€1 000 value)
- Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO + two 10-sheet film packs (€199.99 TTC + €16.90 TTC)
- One-year subscriptions to Polka Magazine and Marie Claire
- €300 Picto Online voucher
- Invitation to the Galerie Polka vernissage
- Finalists:
- Non-winning finalists each receive
- Galerie Polka vernissage invitation
- €100 Picto Online voucher
- Non-winning finalists each receive
Other Free Contests
The Categories of the Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025
This competition does not feature formal categories. Centered on the annual theme “Closer to the Heart,” it welcomes any photographic approach that sheds light on breast cancer experiences, from portraiture to conceptual series and more.
Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
- Submission Period: 10 June 2025 to 20 August 2025
- Finalists Announcement & Public Vote: Finalists revealed 1 October 2025
- Public voting for the Téva Audience Award: from 1 to 15 October 2025
- Awards Ceremony: Winners announced 9 November 2025 at the Grand Palais during Paris Photo 2025
Entry Fee: Free
About the Jury
Each year, a multidisciplinary panel of photography experts and breast cancer advocates selects 40 finalists, awards the Grand Jury and Accessit Prizes, and oversees the public vote for the Téva Audience Award. Finalists are unveiled on 1 October, with winners announced on 9 November at Paris Photo 2025.
- Franck Besnard, President of Estée Lauder Companies France & the Ruban Rose Association
- Jane Evelyn Atwood, acclaimed photojournalist
- Florence Bourgeois, Director of Paris Photo
- Catherine Schöfer, Director-General of Téva & Paris Première (M6 Group)
- Alain Genestar, journalist & founder of Polka Magazine
- Philippe Gassmann, CEO of Picto Group & Chairman of Picto Foundation
- Gwenaëlle Thébault, Deputy CEO of Marie Claire Group
- Christophe Eisenhuth, Marketing & Communication Manager, Fujifilm France
- Laëtitia Mendes, Head of Image & Communication, NAF NAF Paris & founder of GenetiCancer
- Marielle Fournier, journalist & heart-patron of Ruban Rose Association
- Sandra Beauchard, Art History specialist & former contest director
Why Enter Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025?
With its unique focus on breast cancer awareness, this award offers substantial material and editorial support—equipment worth up to €2 399, fine art prints, subscriptions and cosmetic packages—alongside high-profile publication and an awards ceremony at Paris Photo 2025. Featuring both jury-selected prizes and a public vote, the contest ensures your work reaches engaged audiences and industry leaders, ranking among our list of photography competitions.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Estée Lauder Companies Pink Ribbon Photo Award 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
- The contest runs from 10 June to 20 August 2025 (inclusive). One entry per photographer (18+ years old, resident in France).
- Submit one original photograph on the theme “Closer to the Heart,” created within the last three years; AI-generated images are prohibited.
- Accompany your image with a brief text (max 200 words) describing its story and how it meets the theme.
- Digital upload: JPG, PNG, PDF, PSD or TIFF, 300 DPI, 2–25 MB; portrait, landscape or square (long side ≥ 60 cm / 7087 px).
- Download and accept the official regulations; complete and sign the entry form, rights-cession and model release forms; send originals by post and a copy by email by 20 August 2025.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Participants guarantee they hold all author’s rights to their submission and grant ELCO reproduction, editing and distribution rights for contest promotion and awareness campaigns.
- Physical prints made by ELCO remain its property and may be used for exhibitions or promotional materials without further compensation.
- The accompanying text may be lightly edited (orthography, length) for clarity in publications.
- Personal data collected is processed under GDPR for contest administration only and will not be shared with commercial partners.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
