Auto Photo Awards 2025 is returning for another year of celebrating the artistry, innovation, and creativity of automotive photography around the globe. This international photography competition offers photographers a unique opportunity to showcase their skills, gain recognition, and connect with industry leaders. With more than 25 awards, the Auto Photo Awards 2025 is notable for its diverse range of photography challenge prizes, including category winners, partner-selected honors, and a People’s Choice Award. Winners will have their work exhibited widely, published in a limited-edition photobook, and featured across prominent automotive and photography media channels.
The contest covers five engaging categories: Cars as Art, Motorsport, Scene and Styling, Innovation, and Auto Portrait. Each category highlights a different facet of automotive photography, from capturing abstract beauty and action-packed motorsport to exploring cutting-edge technologies and human stories within the automotive community. Photographers can submit up to 10 images per entry and may enter multiple times, choosing one or more categories per image.
Entrants have until September 4, 2025 to submit their photographs. The contest adopts a flexible, ‘pay-what-you-can’ entry fee structure, starting with a minimum donation of £25 per entry. For photographers facing hardship, a limited number of fee waivers are available upon request. Photographers interested in automotive photography and those mindful of other photography contest deadlines will find the Auto Photo Awards 2025 particularly appealing, not only because of its inclusive approach but also for the visibility it offers through publications, exhibitions, and professional networking opportunities.
The Auto Photo Awards 2025 Prizes
The Auto Photo Awards 2025 stands out for its extensive and prestigious prize structure. Winning and highly commended images will receive significant exposure, making the awards highly coveted among automotive photographers:
- Top 100 Photographs: Selected works will be published in the exclusive Auto Photo book, printed by Shutter Hub Editions. The photobook reaches prestigious archives, institutions, and stockists globally, enhancing the professional profiles of selected photographers.
- Touring Exhibition: The Top 100 images will be displayed across various UK venues, online at autophotoawards.com, and shutterhub.org.uk, providing significant public exposure.
- Category Winners and Highly Commended: Recognized photographers receive personalized digital certificates, along with features on Auto Photo’s influential social media channels.
- People’s Choice Award: The winner gains additional feature opportunities on the Auto Photo website, social media, and newsletter.
- Creative Impact Award: A bespoke trophy, with the winner invited to join the expert judging panel for the following year.
- Partner Awards: Several additional awards selected by high-profile industry figures from Motorsport UK, WXVE, Adrian Flux, Goodwood Revival, and Vogue Italia.
The Categories of the Auto Photo Awards 2025
The Auto Photo Awards 2025 comprises five categories, each emphasizing distinctive aspects of automotive photography:
- Cars as Art: Images that showcase the artistic elements of vehicles—abstract details, creative lighting, unique compositions, and design-centric visuals.
- Motorsport: Dynamic photos capturing action from motorsports—whether circuit racing, rallycross, drifting, or endurance events.
- Scene and Styling: Photos focusing on car culture, from rare classic cars and highly modified vehicles to custom builds and expressive styling.
- Innovation: Exploring forward-thinking automotive technologies, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, performance tuning, and sustainable solutions.
- Auto Portrait: Portraits highlighting the individuals who define automotive culture—drivers, mechanics, fans, and personalities captured candidly or in posed setups.
Auto Photo Awards 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Key dates for Auto Photo Awards 2025:
- Submission Deadline: September 4, 2025 (5pm UK Time)
- Winners and Top 100 Announcement: By November 30, 2025
- Publication and Exhibition Dates: Announced subsequently via Auto Photo official channels.
Entry Fees:
The contest operates a unique ‘pay what you can’ fee model, allowing photographers to participate according to their financial circumstances:
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Submission | Minimum £25 per entry |
| Hardship Waiver | Free upon prior application |
How to Enter
Photographers can enter via the Auto Photo website by:
- Selecting and submitting up to 10 JPEG images per entry (multiple entries allowed).
- Naming files clearly:
lastname_firstname_title_of_image.jpg. - Images must be JPEG format, 2000 pixels wide, 300ppi, max size 5MB, in sRGB profile, with no watermarks.
- Choosing the appropriate categories for each submitted image.
About the Jury for Auto Photo Awards 2025
The Auto Photo Awards 2025 boasts an impressive jury panel comprising experts from both the photography and automotive industries. This ensures submissions are evaluated with a deep understanding of both technical photographic merit and automotive context. The confirmed judges include:
- Karen Harvey MBE: Founder/Creative Director of Shutter Hub and AUTO PHOTO.
- Alessia Glaviano: Head of Global PhotoVogue and Director of Photo Vogue Festival.
- Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Richmond: Founder of Goodwood Revival and Festival of Speed.
- Justina Williams: Team Owner, EXCELR8 Motorsport (BTCC).
- Mai Ikuzawa: Team Principle, Team Ikuzawa and Creative Director, Bow Wow International.
- Charlie Roughton: Co-Founder and Director, The Maze Group (including WXVE, Adrian Flux connection).
- Phil McGovern: Founder and Creative Director, Caffeine & Machine (Winner of 2023 Creative Impact Award).
- Hugh Chambers: CEO, Motorsport UK.
This panel will select the Top 100 images, category winners, and Highly Commended entries for the Auto Photo Awards 2025. Specific Partner Awards are selected by the individuals named for those awards.
Why Enter Auto Photo Awards 2025?
Auto Photo Awards 2025 provides photographers an exceptional platform for recognition, industry exposure, and creative growth. Beyond prizes, photographers gain access to opportunities such as motorsport accreditation, professional commissions, and international publication features. The contest is a valuable professional showcase, connecting entrants with influential figures and organizations within the automotive and photographic industries. Additionally, participating in such a respected international event adds to a photographer’s credibility and portfolio value.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Auto Photo Awards 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating, we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Key Rules:
- Photographers retain copyright.
- Entries must be suitable for a family audience; inappropriate content is disqualified.
- Contest organizers reserve rights for promotional use, exhibition, and publication.
- Entrants must ensure they have necessary permissions and releases for images submitted.
Copyright and Permissions:
- Shutter Hub and Auto Photo Awards may reproduce and display images for promotional, non-commercial use.
- Photographers maintain ownership and control over their images for commercial purposes.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
