How does water shape who we are? This is the profound question at the heart of the Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities. It’s a fantastic opportunity for photographers to explore the deep connections between water and humanity. Organized by Onewater in partnership with the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme, this competition invites visual storytellers from all backgrounds to dive into the theme of “Identities”. With a submission deadline of December 7, 2025, you have a unique platform to show how things like gender, culture, and community influence our relationship with the world’s most vital resource. The contest’s compelling theme and global reach make it one of the most engaging free photo competitions available today.
With a prize pool of over €10,000 spread across global and regional awards, this contest is built to recognize a diverse range of photographic voices. The challenge is to create a cohesive photo story of 5 to 10 images, complete with a narrative of at least 300 words, that explores how water weaves into the fabric of our lives. Whether you’re documenting the challenges of water inequality, celebrating cultural traditions, or highlighting stories of resilience, this contest provides a powerful stage for impactful visual narratives. If you’re searching for the best photography competitions to enter, the prestige that comes with UNESCO and its partners makes this an unmissable event. The mix of significant cash prizes, international exhibition opportunities, and the chance to contribute to a vital global conversation truly makes this a standout in the world of photography.
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Prizes
The prizes for this Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities are designed to recognize talent from all corners of the globe, with awards divided into Global and Regional categories.
Global Prizes (General Category)
A total of €5,000 is available for the general category.
- 1st Prize: €3,000 and a feature on the Onewater website.
- 2nd Prize: €1,000 and a feature on the Onewater website.
- 3rd Prize: €500 and a feature on the Onewater website.
- Five Merit Awards: €100 each, plus a feature on the Onewater website.
Global Prizes (Youth Category)
For photographers aged 25 or under, two winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the 11th International Waters Conference in Asia. This amazing prize covers travel, accommodation, and participation.
Regional Prizes – South East Asia
- General Category:
- 1st Prize of €1,500
- 2nd Prize of €1,000
- 3rd Prize of €500
- Other merit awards
- Youth Category:
- 1st Prize of €800
- 2nd Prize of €600
- and 3rd Prize of €400
Regional Prizes – Sub-Saharan Africa (Youth Category)
A total prize pool of €500:
- 1st Prize of €300
- 2nd Prize of €150
- 3rd Prize of €50
Regional Prizes – Latin America and the Caribbean (Youth Category)
A total prize pool of €500:
- 1st Prize of €300
- 2nd Prize of €150
- 3rd Prize of €50
On top of the monetary awards, all winners and merit recipients will have their work showcased in the 2026 “Walk of Water” international exhibitions and featured on the Onewater website.
Other Free Contests
Categories or Themes
Instead of boxing photographers into specific categories, this contest opens up a single, powerful theme: “Identities”. It’s an invitation to explore the multifaceted relationship between water and humanity. You are encouraged to create visual narratives that reflect on how factors like gender, profession, culture, and community shape our access to and perception of water.
The Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities is looking for stories that delve into the identities of people through the lens of water. This makes it an ideal platform for those engaged in documentary, photojournalism, and portrait photography. The theme also connects with critical global issues, offering a space for powerful work in environmental and conservation storytelling.
Dates and Entry Fees
- The submission period opens on October 15, 2025
- The final deadline for all entries is December 7, 2025
- Winners are scheduled to be announced in January 2026
This contest is completely free of charge, one of our free photography competitions.
How to Enter:
To participate, you’ll need to prepare a submission that includes a cohesive photo story of 5 to 10 images, with each photo having a minimum resolution of 3872 x 2592 pixels. Each entry must also come with a written narrative of at least 300 words, numbered captions for each photograph, and a signed photo license agreement, which you can download from the contest page. All submissions are handled through the Picter platform.
About the Jury
Your work will be seen by a truly diverse and international jury. The panel isn’t just made up of photographers. It includes academics like Gabriel Eckstein, Professor of Law at Texas A&M University, celebrated visual journalists and photographers such as Fabeha Monir, Supratim Bhattacharjee, and National Geographic Explorer Caitlin Ochs, and specialists from organizations like the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. This esteemed group brings a wealth of expertise, ensuring your work is evaluated on its narrative strength, originality, and technical quality.
Why Enter Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities?
The Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities is more than just a contest, it’s a chance to make your voice heard on a global stage and to tell a story that matters. Imagine your work being part of a worldwide conversation led by UNESCO, contributing to a deeper understanding of our planet’s most crucial resource. The theme of “Identities” invites you to go beyond a single beautiful image and create a narrative that resonates, teaches, and connects people. It’s a creative challenge, for sure, but a deeply meaningful one.
Of course, the prizes are fantastic. Winning could mean a significant financial boost or an incredible, all-expenses-paid trip to an international conference for young photographers. But every single entry contributes to a larger story about our shared relationship with water. If you’re looking for more photography contests and challenges that feel truly important, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Walk of Water Photostory Contest: Identities 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
Anyone can enter, but if you’re under 18, you’ll need a guardian’s signature on the license agreement. Each photographer can submit up to three photo stories. Your work must be original and not infringe on anyone’s rights. Submissions should not contain any degrading or disrespectful content, and you must have proper consent for any images of children.
Copyright and Image Usage
When you submit your work, you agree to a Creative Commons license. This simply means you’re giving the organizers permission to share and use your photos to promote the contest and its themes, always with full credit to you. You keep your copyright and are completely free to share, sell, or use your images however you wish. The organizers are required to credit you whenever your work is used, link to the license, and note if any changes were made.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
