Contents
The New York Center for Photographic Arts (NYC4PA) invites photographers worldwide to submit their work to Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA, a premier international juried photography competition. This is your chance to have your work seen by a high-profile commercial and editorial photographer, be featured in an online gallery, and be published in a prize winners’ catalog. The deadline for submissions is November 2, 2025.
The Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA is dedicated to celebrating the vast world of animals through photography. The competition offers a total of $4,000 in cash awards, providing significant financial reward for the selected winners. Winning images are featured in the NYC4PA Online Gallery and in the printed catalog, with the Grand Prize winner receiving a special feature on the NYC4PA home page. Entry is accessible, at $35 for the first three images. For photographers looking for popular photography challenges online, the combination of substantial cash prizes and valuable publication makes this a top-tier choice. This is an excellent platform for those specializing in animal photography contests.
This competition, juried by the internationally renowned photographer and director Roy Schweiger, offers an opportunity to have your work evaluated by a leading creative voice. The judging process is completely blind, ensuring that entries are selected based solely on their merit. This commitment to fairness makes the “Animal Kingdom” call a truly exciting opportunity for both amateur and professional photographers to gain significant recognition for their work.
The Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA 2025 Prizes
The Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA offers a total of $4,000 in cash prizes, alongside significant exposure opportunities through a dedicated online gallery and a printed catalog. The prize structure is a great example of a cash prizes opportunity combined with a valuable publication prize.
- Grand Prize: $1,100 + feature of the winning image on the NYC4PA homepage, giving it maximum exposure to an international audience.
- First Prize: $400 for each of three winners.
- Second Prize: $325 for each of three winners.
- Third Prize: $250 for each of three winners.
- Juror Selections: 20 images chosen by the juror will be showcased in the online winners’ gallery and printed catalog, each accompanied by an award certificate.
- Honorable Mentions: 20 additional works will also feature in the online gallery and catalog, with an award certificate.
Every recognized photographer benefits from both the credibility of an NYC4PA award and the opportunity to share their work with a wide, engaged audience passionate about animal photography.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA
The Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA is centered around the single, expansive theme of “The Animal Kingdom.” There are no distinct sub-categories. Photographers are invited to submit their best work that captures the essence of animals in any form or environment.
All 2D photographic processes are welcome, including traditional prints, image and emulsion transfers, encaustic, and both color and black and white photography. This makes it an ideal platform for various types of wildlife photography competitions.
Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA Dates and Entry Fees
Mark your calendars for the Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA:
Key Dates:
- Submission Deadline: November 2, 2025 (Midnight Pacific Time)
Winners are typically announced a few weeks after the deadline, following the judging period.
Entry Fees:
- The entry fee is $35 for the first three images.
- Each additional image may be submitted for $10 USD each.
- There is no limit to the number of images an artist can submit.
How to Enter:
To participate, visit the official NYC4PA website, select the “ANIMAL KINGDOM” page, and follow the instructions to complete the entry form and upload your photographs. Ensure that no signatures or watermarks are on the submitted files to maintain the blind jury process.
About the Jury
The juror for the Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA is Roy Schweiger, an international editorial and commercial photographer and director. With nearly two decades of experience working across New York, Milan, and Los Angeles, Roy specializes in high-end creative campaigns that merge visual storytelling with cultural nuance. He has led projects for high-profile clients like MARC JACOBS, DSQUARED2, MANGO, and CELINE DION. His extensive industry experience ensures a high level of expertise in the judging process.
Why Enter Animal Kingdom 2025 by NYC4PA?
The Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA offers a fantastic opportunity to have your work seen by a high-profile juror with extensive experience in the commercial and fine art worlds. The substantial $4,000 cash prize pool provides a major financial incentive. Being featured in the NYC4PA online gallery and the printed Prize Winners catalog offers significant and lasting exposure. The blind jury process is a key feature, ensuring that your images are judged purely on their merit, which makes this a great platform for both emerging and established photographers. For those looking for a respected online photography contest that offers tangible rewards and a connection to the New York art scene, this is an excellent choice.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Animal Kingdom by NYC4PA 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 competition is open to photographers worldwide.
All 2D photographic processes are welcome.
Images that have been awarded an NYC4PA prize within the past two years are not eligible for submission. However, images submitted previously that were not selected for a prize may be submitted again.
The jury process is blind; no signatures or watermarks should be present on the submitted files.
Copyright and Image Usage
The specific copyright and usage terms for NYC4PA competitions are typically detailed on their main website. Generally, photographers retain the copyright to their images. By entering, participants grant the gallery a non-exclusive license to use selected images for promotional purposes related to the exhibition and the gallery’s activities, such as in the online gallery, the printed catalog, and on social media, always with credit to the photographer.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
