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The Paris International Street Photo Awards 2026 (PISPA) returns with an international call dedicated entirely to the many ways photographers interpret life in public space. Open to amateur and professional photographers worldwide, the competition accepts both single images and photographic series across 39 street photography categories. Entries opened on September 1, and the final submission deadline is November 1, 2026.
The 2026 edition combines cash awards with international exhibition and publishing opportunities. Three major distinctions lead the prize structure: Best Street Photo Project, Street Photographer of the Year, and Street Photo of the Year. Winners can receive cash, a monograph with Snap Collective, magazine publication, and exhibition in New York at the end of 2027. Jury’s Special Nominees and Finalists are also included in the New York exhibition.
PISPA is especially broad within street photography contests, covering everything from classic street photography and portraiture to public transport, architecture, social documentary, mobile photography, film and experimental approaches. For photographers comparing the best photography competitions, its combination of specialized categories, a published international jury and opportunities beyond the initial awards announcement gives the competition a distinctive profile.
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Contest Prizes
The Paris International Street Photo Awards 2026 combines three principal awards with recognition for finalists, jury nominees, category winners and honorable mentions.
- Best Street Photo Project:
- $700 cash or an iPhone 17 Pro 2TB instead.
- Exhibited in New York at the end of 2027.
- Published as a monograph with Snap Collective and featured in OPENEYE Magazine.
- One of the two principal series winners will also be selected for the cover of FotoSlovo.
- Street Photographer of the Year:
- $1,000 cash.
- Exhibition of the winning series in New York at the end of 2027.
- Monograph with Snap Collective.
- Publication in FotoSlovo and OPENEYE.
- Eligibility for the FotoSlovo cover.
- Street Photo of the Year:
- $500 cash.
- Exhibition of the winning image in New York at the end of 2027.
- Publication in FotoSlovo.
- Extensive online promotion.
- Jury’s Special Nominees and Finalists:
- Exhibition of the selected image or series in New York.
- Publication in FotoSlovo.
- Promotion through the PISPA website and social media.
- Certificates:
- Category Winners, Jury’s Special Nominees, Finalists and Honorable Mentions receive downloadable Certificates of Excellence.
If the Best Street Photo Project winner chooses the monetary option, the three main distinctions provide a combined $2,200 in cash prizes. The wider package also includes significant exhibition and publication opportunities.
Related Photo Contests
Categories
PISPA 2026 offers 39 categories, and photographers can enter a photograph or series in more than one category. Each selected category is judged separately. The first category is included in the entry price, with additional categories costing €6 each.
- Street Portrait
- Urban Culture
- Street Fashion
- Road Trip SP
- Urban Street Art
- Black & White SP
- Urbex & Minimalism
- Urban Abstract / Concept
- Mobile Phone SP
- Street Night Shot
- Street & Childrens
- Street & Architecture
- Reflections (Water, Windows…)
- Contrasted (Deep Dark Shadows)
- In Public Transport
- Street & Animals
- Summer, Beach & Pool
- Classic Street Photo
- Street Dance / Special Events
- Street Winter (Rain, Snow…)
- Street Humor / Unusual
- Urban Love (Kisses, Hugs…)
- Street Poetry / Essay
- Backlight / Sunset
- Drone View / High Angle
- Using Flash
- Street Social / Docu Issues
- Street Sport Snaps
- Elder People Street
- Mirror Effect
- Landscape City View
- Hybrid Process / Alternative
- Urban Speed / Movement
- Another Perspective
- Selfie, Phoning & Gadgets
- Street Self Portrait
- Film Photography
- Modern Street
- Golden Hour
The breadth of the list allows both traditional and more experimental interpretations of street photography. Photographers working specifically in monochrome can also compare the call with other black and white photography contests.
Dates and Entry Fees
The 2026 competition runs for two months, with a lower pricing period available through the end of September.
| Contest Opens | September 1, 2026 |
| Early Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Final Deadline | November 1, 2026 |
| Winners Announcement | December 26, 2026 |
| New York Exhibition | End of 2027 |
Entry Fees:
Before October 1:
- 1 single image: €18.
- 2 single images: €25.
- 3 single images: €34.
- 5 single images: €45.
- 7 single images: €56.
- 9 single images: €69.
- Series of 5–7 images: €45.
- Series of 8–12 images: €52.
- Series of 13–15 images: €59.
From October 1:
- 1 single image: €21.
- 2 single images: €31.
- 3 single images: €40.
- 5 single images: €51.
- 7 single images: €62.
- 9 single images: €75.
- Series of 5–7 images: €49.
- Series of 8–12 images: €56.
- Series of 13–15 images: €63.
An additional category for the same photograph or series costs €6.
Photographers can submit an unlimited number of separate single entries or series.
How to Enter
Entrants first register on the official PISPA website and then upload their photographs through their account. The competition accepts both single photographs and series. A standard series contains 5–7 photographs, while extended series options allow up to 12 or 15 images.
Files should be submitted as JPG images in sRGB, at 72 dpi, with the longest side sized to approximately 1200 pixels according to the terms. Images must not contain watermarks, borders or signatures.
There is no restriction on when a photograph was taken. Previously published work and photographs submitted to other competitions are eligible, and reasonable post-processing is permitted. Photographs do not need to have been taken in Paris, images made anywhere in the world can participate as long as they fall within the scope of street photography.
About the Jury
The Paris International Street Photo Awards 2026 publishes a ten-member international jury bringing together photographers, curators, publishers, gallerists and other photography professionals.
The 2026 panel consists of Frank Jackson, Citlali Medal, Ângela Ferreira, Éric Cez, Arturo Delgado, Latife Solak Baudet, Anna Laza, Bene Taschen, Ulme Madara and PISPA founder Souhayl A.
Jury members review the entries and select winning work on the basis of creativity, artistic merit, subject and style. The organizer states that the jury is substantially refreshed every two years to introduce new perspectives. The rules do not state that judging is anonymous or publish a numerical scoring system.
Why Enter?
PISPA’s main strength is the range of ways photographers can approach street photography. A traditional candid image, a documentary observation, an urban abstraction, a mobile photograph or a cohesive series can all find a dedicated category without forcing very different types of work into a single pool.
The 2026 edition also extends beyond online recognition. The principal winners, Jury’s Special Nominees and Finalists are scheduled to have their work exhibited in New York at the end of 2027, while publishing partnerships with Snap Collective, FotoSlovo and OPENEYE provide additional opportunities for selected photographers.
For photographers browsing all photo competitions listed on Deartline, PISPA is especially relevant to those who already have a strong body of street work and want the flexibility to submit either individual photographs or complete projects.
Rules and Copyright
We reviewed the official rules of the Paris International Street Photo Awards 2026 to summarize the principal eligibility requirements, judging conditions and image rights. Photographers should review the complete current terms before submitting.
Rules
- The competition is open worldwide to amateur and professional photographers aged 18 or over.
- Single photographs and photographic series are accepted.
- There is no restriction on when eligible photographs were taken.
- Published and unpublished images are accepted.
- Work previously submitted to other competitions remains eligible.
- Post-processing and Photoshop adjustments are permitted within reasonable limits.
- Files must not contain watermarks, borders or signatures.
- Series must contain at least five photographs and are judged as a complete body of work.
- No specific policy concerning AI-generated or AI-assisted photography is currently stated.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain copyright in their submitted images at all times. By participating, entrants authorize PISPA to use submitted photographs for promotional purposes connected with the Paris International Street Photo Awards, including publication on the competition website and its dedicated social media channels.
The terms state that images will not be used for unrelated marketing purposes. However, selected photographers may receive additional publication and exhibition opportunities as part of their awards, including publication through PISPA’s media and publishing partners.
The general participation terms do not specify whether the promotional authorization is exclusive or non-exclusive, and no duration is stated. The prize structure nevertheless makes clear that winning and selected work may be provided to external exhibition and publication partners as part of the corresponding award.
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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
