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Female in Focus 2025 is open and turning up the volume on women behind the lens. Entries close on 6 November 2025, with winning work shown in a UK group exhibition and extensive editorial coverage on 1854. Thanks to its partnership with Nikon, the two winning series also receive a Z Series mirrorless camera with two NIKKOR Z lenses, and there’s even a free single-image option available this year. If you track the best photography contests to enter, this one belongs on your shortlist.
This sixth edition invites responses to the theme ‘On the Cusp’, exploring moments of transformation across personal and global contexts. Photographers can submit as a single image or a series; a People’s Choice track adds a public vote and interview feature for the winner. Submissions are handled through 1854’s platform, with both free and paid routes depending on your selection.
The Female in Focus 2025 Prizes
Female in Focus recognises standout single images and cohesive series, with added visibility for a public-voted favorite.
- Series winners (two total):
- Exhibited in UK group shows.
- A Nikon Z Series mirrorless camera plus two NIKKOR Z lenses.
- Featured on 1854.
- Circulated to international press.
- Single Image winners (20 total):
- Exhibited in the UK group show.
- Featured on 1854 and on press lists.
- People’s Choice: Voted by the public from the exhibition selection; winner is profiled in an interview on 1854.
Beyond this awards, winners gain high-value exposure through exhibition and editorial publication opportunities.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Female in Focus 2025
The award is structured into two distinct categories, both centered around this year’s theme, ‘On The Cusp’, which invites photographers to explore moments of revolution, revelation, or transformation.
The categories are:
- Series Category: For cohesive bodies of work or portfolios of up to ten images that explore the theme.
- Single Image Category: For powerful, standalone photographs that respond to the theme. This category welcomes all genres, from portrait to fine art.
Female in Focus 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Deadline: 6 November 2025.
Entry options:
One image can be entered free of charge (courtesy of Nikon).
1854 Access Members can submit ten images “worth £35” for free.
Additional entry fees apply for non-members and those wishing to submit more images or series.
- Four images: £20.00
- Ten images: £35.00
- Series of images: £35.00
This award also offers a free photo competitions entry route for photographers from non-high-income countries. British Journal of Photography Access Members can also enter for free.
How to Enter:
Create or log into your 1854 account on the submission platform, choose your entry type (single image, multi-image, or series), upload images, and add titles and a project description. Proceed to payment if selecting a paid tier; Access Members submit via the members’ login to claim their free allowance.
About the Jury
Female in Focus is judged by a panel of leading international women in photography. The 2025 jury features industry figures including photographer and Nikon Ambassador Carolyn Mendelsohn, PhotoVogue’s Alessia Glaviano, Tate Modern’s Jess Baxter, Photoworks’ Louise Fedotov-Clements, artist Kennedi Carter, and others.
Why Enter Female in Focus 2025?
It combines a global platform with concrete outcomes: a UK exhibition, editorial features, and, for the two series winners, major Nikon gear. The ‘On the Cusp’ theme is broad enough to accommodate portraits, long-form storytelling, and more conceptual approaches, making it a strong fit for photographers who also watch popular photo challenges online or seek visibility across related fields such as documentary photography contests.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Female in Focus 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
Open to women photographers, with entries responding to the 2025 theme ‘On the Cusp’. Categories include Single Image, Series, and People’s Choice. One single-image entry is free; Access Members receive a free ten-image allowance; additional paid options are available. Entry fees are non-refundable, payment is by credit or debit card, and titles and descriptions have character limits on the upload forms. Photographers in non-high-income countries can apply for a free entry route.
Copyright and Image Usage
The public page notes exhibition and editorial features for winners. Full licensing and usage terms for submitted and winning images are managed on the submission platform and should be reviewed in detail before entering.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
