Imagine walking into a gallery in Manhattan or the Marais district of Paris and seeing your work on the wall. TheBlack & White International Photo Awards 2026 (B&W IPA 2026) is making this a reality for its winners. This competition is not just about awarding a title, it is about physically placing monochrome imagery in the center of the art world’s most prestigious capitals.
While there are many black and white photography contests available today, the B&W IPA 2026 distinguishes itself through a heavy focus on physical exhibition and high-quality publication. Open to amateurs and professionals worldwide, this 5th edition seeks to reveal new talents who master the language of light and shadow. Whether you shoot with a high-end camera or a mobile phone, if your vision is monochrome, this is your stage.
The deadline to participate is March 2, 2026. With a total cash prize pool of $2,000 and the promise of exhibitions in New York (June) and Paris (November during Paris Photo week), this is a call to action for anyone ready to take their portfolio to the next level. If you are looking for list of contests that offer career-defining opportunities, this event should be on your radar.
Contents
The Black & White International Photo Awards 2026 Prizes
The awards for the 2026 edition are structured to provide both financial support and, crucially, physical visibility in major art markets. The organizers have partnered with prestigious galleries and publishing houses to elevate the winners.
- The B&W Photographer Of The Year: Receives a $1,000 Cash Prize. This winner also secures an exhibition of their work in a prestigious gallery in New York, the possibility to print a monograph with the Snap Collective publishing house, and portfolio publication in magazines like Openeye and FotoSlovo.
- The Best B&W Photo Project: Receives a $700 Cash Prize. Includes the same exhibition in New York, monograph opportunity, and media coverage benefits.
- The Best Single Photo in B&W: Receives a $300 Cash Prize, along with the New York exhibition and media coverage.
- Jury’s Special Nominees and Finalists: Will have their work exhibited in a prestigious gallery in Paris and receive extensive media coverage.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Black & White International Photo Awards 2026
The B&W IPA 2026 offers a massive array of categories, ensuring that every photographic style has a place. You can submit single photos or series to one or several of the following:
- Documentary
- Portrait
- Fashion Photography
- Reportage / News
- Street Photography
- Architecture
- Landscape / Nature / Water
- Wildlife Photography
- Mobile Photography
- Fine Art
- Alternative / Experimental
- Night Views
- Analog Photography
- Conceptual / Hybrid
- Sport / Movement
- Still Life
- Abstract Vision
- Selfie / Self-Portrait
- Music / Dance & Events
- Nude
- Trip Photography
- Minimalism
- Macro Art Photography
- Drone / Above / Below
- Winter Vision
- Summer Vision
- Poetic Vision
- Indoor Photography / Studio
- Photomontage / AI
- Photojournalism
- Underwater
- Urban / Urbex
Black & White International Photo Awards 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
The competition is currently open. Photographers are advised to submit their work before the final deadline to ensure their entry is processed for the jury.
Deadlines for 2026
- Contest Start Date: January 2nd, 2026
- Early Deadline: February 1st, 2026
- Final Deadline: March 2nd, 2026
- Winners Announcement: May 6th, 2026
Entry Fees
| Entry Type | Early Fee (Before Feb 2nd) | Final Fee (From Feb 2nd) |
|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | 14 € | 17 € |
| Two Single Photos | 25 € | 29 € |
| Five Single Photos | 59 € | 75 € |
| Nine Single Photos | 99 € | 125 € |
| Series (5 to 7 photos) | 29 € | 36 € |
| Series (8 to 15 photos) | 35 € | 43 € |
Additional Category Fee: 5 €
How to Enter
Registration is handled online via the official website. You must upload your images as JPG files, with a recommended size of 1200 pixels along the longest side and 72dpi. Files should not contain watermarks, borders, or signatures. You can pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit Card.
About the Jury
The 2026 entries will be judged by a panel of diverse experts from the photography world, including gallery directors, magazine editors, and acclaimed photographers. The jury members listed for this edition include: Linda Tuloup, Frank Jackson, Wiktoria Michalkiewicz, Pierre Bessard, Nina Sales, Franck Landron, Anna Laza, Philippe Litzler, Ulme Madara, and Souhayl A.
Why Enter Black & White International Photo Awards 2026?
The B&W IPA 2026 distinguishes itself from other best photography challenges through its commitment to physical exhibition. While many contests remain purely digital, this award puts your work on the walls of galleries in two of the world’s most important cultural hubs: New York and Paris. The New York exhibition is scheduled for June 25-28, and the Paris exhibition will take place in November during the influential Paris Photo week.
Additionally, the partnership with Snap Collective offers a tangible path to publishing your own photo monograph, a dream for many artists. Coupled with features in magazines like Openeye and FotoSlovo, this contest offers a comprehensive career boost.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Black & White International Photo Awards 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 and Usage Rights
Copyright of the images will remain at all times with the photographer. By entering, you grant the B&W IPA the right to use the images strictly in connection to the awards. This includes usage for marketing purposes to promote the contest on their website and dedicated social media networks. Images will not be used for other marketing purposes without permission.
General Rules
The contest is open to all amateur and professional photographers worldwide aged 18 or older. Both published and unpublished work is accepted. AI-generated images are allowed only if submitted in the specific “Photomanipulation / AI” category. For standard categories, digital adjustments (Photoshop/post-processing) are allowed within reason and taste.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
