Are your photographs ready to inspire the world? The Muse Photography Awards 2026 is calling for entries, offering a global stage for photographers whose images capture stories that move and inspire audiences. This competition celebrates the defining moments where perspective transforms into art. With a grand prize of $3,000 for the Professional Photographer of the Year and $2,000 for the Amateur/Student winner, plus an extensive range of categories, this is a premier event for photographers at every level.
The Muse Photography Awards is designed to be one of the most comprehensive and accessible online photo contests available. It features 12 main categories, each with multiple sub-categories that span virtually every genre of photography imaginable. This ensures that every photographer, whether their passion is capturing striking architecture, powerful portraits, or breathtaking nature scenes, has a place to shine.
Participation in the competition requires an entry fee that varies depending on the submission period and category type, with discounted rates available during the early bird phase. The awards follow a multi-stage deadline, beginning on October 16, 2025, with the first cutoff on November 13, 2025, and a final extension ending on February 26, 2026. Judged by a distinguished panel of 21 international experts, the Muse Photography Awards 2026 stand as a true measure of excellence in the field.
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The Muse Photography Awards 2026 Prizes
The Muse Photography Awards 2026 recognizes exceptional creativity and technical mastery through a combination of cash prizes, international exposure, and exclusive distinctions. This year’s top accolades include the prestigious MUSE Statuette and $7,400 in total cash awards distributed among winning levels.
| Award Level | Cash Prize | Additional Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| MUSE Photographer of the Year (Professional) | $3,000 + MUSE Statuette | Winner’s Page, Press Release, Gallery Feature, Muse.World Interview, Social Media Feature |
| MUSE Photographer of the Year (Amateur/Student) | $2,000 + MUSE Statuette | Winner’s Page, Press Release, Gallery Feature, Muse.World Interview, Social Media Feature |
| Category Winners of the Year (Pro & Amateur/Student) | $100 / Category | Winner’s Page, Press Release, Gallery Feature, Muse.World Interview, Social Media Feature |
| Platinum Winners | — | Feature on Muse.World, Winner’s Page, e-Certificate, Winner’s Badge |
| Gold & Silver Winners | — | Winner’s Page, e-Certificate, Winner’s Badge |
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The Categories of the Muse Photography Awards 2026
The Muse Photography Awards 2026 celebrates visual excellence across twelve main categories and a set of special sections designed to embrace every form of photographic expression. Each category highlights a distinct discipline, encouraging photographers to showcase both their technical skill and creative storytelling.
- Advertising Photography: Highlighting powerful visuals and concepts that promote brands, campaigns, or ideas.
- Architecture Photography: Showcasing design, form, and the artistry of structures from cities around the world.
- Black & White Photography: Exploring tone, contrast, and emotion through monochrome imagery.
- Commercial Photography: Featuring creative visuals for marketing, lifestyle, and advertising purposes.
- Editorial Photography: Telling stories through documentary and conceptual images that inspire thought.
- Fashion Photography: Capturing the art and energy of contemporary style and design.
- Film Photography: Celebrating the craft and aesthetic of analog and cinematic imagery.
- Fine Art Photography: Encouraging creative, interpretive, and conceptual work that pushes artistic boundaries.
- Minimalist Photography: Focusing on simplicity, balance, and clean composition.
- Nature Photography: Capturing the beauty, scale, and fragility of the natural world.
- People Photography: Celebrating portraiture, human emotion, and everyday stories.
- Special Categories:
- Comedy Photography: Finding humor and irony through the lens.
- Event Photography: Capturing the atmosphere and emotion of live experiences.
- Mobile Photography: Recognizing outstanding imagery created with smartphones and tablets.
- Other Specialized Genres: Including experimental, abstract, and emerging styles not covered by the main list.
Muse Photography Awards 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
The competition offers multiple entry periods, with fees increasing as the final deadline approaches.
| Entry Type | Early Bird (Oct 16 – Nov 13, 2025) | Regular (Nov 14 – Dec 11, 2025) | Final (Dec 12, 2025 – Jan 15, 2026) | Final Extension (Jan 16 – Feb 26, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Single | $30 | $35 | $40 | $45 |
| Professional Series | $40 | $45 | $50 | $55 |
| Amateur/Student Single | $25 | $30 | $35 | $40 |
| Amateur/Student Series | $35 | $40 | $45 | $50 |
| Additional Category | $20 | $25 | $30 | $35 |
Results announcement: April 10, 2026.
A “Series” consists of 2–8 images. Adding an entry to an additional category is charged per the table above.
How to Enter:
The submission process is handled entirely online. After registering on the Muse Photography Awards website, you can fill out the submission form, upload your JPG files (under 4MB), and complete the payment. You can enter the same photograph into multiple categories if desired.
About the Jury
The Muse Photography Awards 2026 is judged by an international panel of 21 industry professionals, including photographers, art directors, creative strategists, and educators from across the world. The judging process is blind and based on creativity, originality, technical execution, and overall impact.
- Francis De Andrés (Spain)
- Patrizia Burra (Italy)
- Rémi Masson (France)
- Tomáš Neuwirth (Czech Republic)
- Alessandra Minotti (Italy)
- Benny Lau (Hong Kong SAR)
- Donell Gumiran (Philippines)
- Gigi Chung (United States)
- Ionel Onofras (Romania)
- Jae Leong (Malaysia)
- Jai Thakur (India)
- Jarvis Grant (United States)
- Ronn Lee (Singapore)
- Ryo Utsunomiya (Japan)
- Viral Padiya (India)
- Yasuyoshi Chiba (Japan)
- Helena Georgiou (Cyprus)
- Rob Woodcox (United States)
- Álvaro Ponce (Chile)
- Stéphane Aït Ouarab (France)
- Kenichiro Hagiwara (Japan)
This diverse and accomplished panel represents a global perspective in photography, ensuring that the evaluation process remains fair, inclusive, and reflective of the medium’s evolving artistic standards.
Why Enter Muse Photography Awards 2026?
This competition offers a unique combination of prestige, exposure, and accessibility. With its vast range of categories, it provides a tailored platform for specialists in every field. The separation between professional and amateur/student divisions ensures that photographers are competing against their peers. The cash prizes are substantial, but the real value lies in the global recognition that comes with a Muse award. Winning entries are promoted for five years on the awards’ website and are seen by a jury of top industry professionals, opening doors to new opportunities. For photographers looking for the best photography challenges to participate in, the Muse Photography Awards is an exceptional choice to gain international acclaim.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Muse Photography 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.
Rules
The competition is open to photographers worldwide who are 18 years of age or older. Both professional and amateur/student photographers are welcome to enter, and they are judged in separate divisions. Submitted work must have been created within the last five years. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual can submit.
Copyright and Image Usage
The photographer retains the full copyright and all other rights to their images at all times. By entering, you grant the Muse Photography Awards and its media partners a limited license to use the submitted images for marketing and promotional purposes related to the competition only. This includes use in exhibitions, print and digital media directly related to the awards. Any photograph used by the Muse Awards will always carry the photographer’s credit line.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
