Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 is calling for portrait projects that feel intentional, not instant. The fourth edition frames portraiture as a relationship and an encounter, with attention to identity, presence, and the ethics of the gaze. Submissions are open now, with entries closing on April 15, 2026. The selected work is reviewed by an international jury and presented through Dodho Magazine’s editorial and curatorial framework, with publication timed for May 20.
This call focuses on portrait photography that holds together as a project, with coherence, clarity, and a sustained voice over time. Finalists are brought into a printed annual edition and editorial context designed to circulate beyond the competition window, and top winners receive additional visibility and official recognition. For photographers comparing options across our list of photography competitions, the Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 stands out for its clear emphasis on projects, editing, and publication as the outcome.
Entry is fee-based and structured around image packs. Applicants choose a pack (3, 6, or 12 images), complete one online form that includes upload and payment, and submit everything in a single .zip folder. For photographers specifically tracking portrait photography awards, the details are straightforward: a defined timeline, a named jury, and prizes tied to editorial publication and the annual book.
Contents
Prizes
The prizes for this Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 edition are centered on editorial publication, long-term circulation, and formal recognition within Dodho Magazine’s ecosystem, including inclusion in its annual printed volume and curated visibility.
- First Prize includes prominent editorial visibility within Dodho Magazine’s framework, with the winning work presented in the context of the Awards, and inclusion connected to the annual printed edition and publication channels. This prize aligns with publication prizes rather than a cash award.
- Second Prize receives prominent editorial visibility through the Awards presentation, with recognition tied to the same editorial context and the annual printed edition’s ecosystem.
- Third Prize receives prominent editorial visibility within the Awards presentation and related editorial context.
- Honorable Mention 1 receives prominent editorial visibility as part of the Awards presentation and associated editorial context.
- Honorable Mention 2 receives prominent editorial visibility as part of the Awards presentation and associated editorial context.
In addition, the First, Second, and Third Prize winners and the two Honorable Mentions receive an official certificate of recognition confirming their distinction by the international jury. Finalist work is also connected to Dodho Magazine’s annual printed edition and editorial context designed for continued circulation beyond the submission period.
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 does not present a set of separate categories on the call page. Instead, it is organized around a single focus: portraiture understood as a deliberate encounter, exploring identity and the gaze. The emphasis is on projects that sustain a voice over time, build meaning through proximity and continuity, and remain anchored in context rather than relying on a single standout image.
Dates and Entry Fees
The Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 contest follows a published timeline from submission through publication, with key stages clearly dated.
- Submission deadline: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Selection period: April 16 to April 30, 2026
- Notification period: May 1 to May 3, 2026
- Delivery period: May 4 to May 8, 2026
- Publication date: May 20, 2026
Entry fees are based on image packs:
- 3 images: €30
- 6 images: €45
- 12 images: €60
How to Enter:
Choose an image pack (3, 6, or 12 images), then complete the online submission form. Within the same form, entrants add personal details, upload files, and finalize payment in one process.
Submissions must be delivered as a single compressed .zip folder, organized and identified with the author’s first and last name. The folder should include the images and, if the author considers it necessary, a brief descriptive text. Fragmented submissions or individual files are not accepted.
About the Jury
The Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 jury is presented as an international panel spanning editorial, curatorial, institutional, and photographic practice.
Aline Smithson (Los Angeles) is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and editor, and the founder of LENSCRATCH. Burkhard Arnold is the founder and director of in focus Gallery, active in classic and contemporary photography since 1989. Erin Hoyt (Chicago) is the Executive Director of Filter Photo, with experience in exhibition programming, portfolio reviews, and professional development for fine art and documentary photographers. Roger Ballen is known for psychologically charged black and white work that crosses documentary and conceptual territories.
Why Enter Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026?
Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 2026 is built for photographers who want their portraits read as a project, not just judged as individual images. The call describes evaluation criteria around intention, a clear voice, and a coherent visual and conceptual framework, which can be a practical fit for long-form portrait work. The timeline is also explicit from submission through publication, which helps entrants plan editing, delivery, and availability without guesswork.
Another concrete reason is the structure of the prizes: editorial visibility, certificate recognition for top winners, and placement in an annual printed edition that is positioned as a lasting editorial object rather than a temporary gallery of winners. For photographers browsing for the best photography contests and also seeking international photography contests, this one is clearly framed as an international call with a named jury and an outcome rooted in publication and context.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Portrait Awards by Dodho Magazine 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
Submission is completed through an online form that combines registration, file upload, and payment in one flow.
There is no limit on the number of submissions, but each submission must be completed separately with its own form and payment.
Files must be submitted as one single .zip folder, properly organized and identified with the author’s first and last name. Fragmented submissions or individual files are not accepted.
Copyright and Image Usage
Entrants retain copyright before, during, and after the process.
By entering, photographers grant permission for Dodho Magazine to display the work for promotional purposes, credited to the author, across channels such as the magazine and website.
The license can be revoked with written notice at least 15 days in advance, unless the work has already been printed or is in the immediate process of printing.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
