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Imagine seeing your portrait illuminating Tube stations and high-streets across Britain this January. Photographers seeking national recognition in portrait photo contests will find Portrait of Britain 2025 unmatched. This competition welcomes international entrants—the only requirement is that images were shot in the UK after 1 January 2024—and accepts JPEG files up to 10 MB each, with an optional caption of up to 250 characters. Entrants may edit and resubmit work up until the deadline, ensuring every shot looks its best .
Entries close on 15 July 2025, and open immediately upon publication of the call for entries . Full Access and Digital Access members of 1854 can submit up to ten images (a £35 value) at no charge; non-members may purchase one-, three- or ten-image packages via the entry website . From those submissions, 100 winning portraits will be exhibited for a month on JCDecaux digital screens nationwide, and 200 shortlisted images will be featured in the official Portrait of Britain book.
With expert judging from industry leaders and extensive press partnerships—including the BBC, The Guardian and Sky News—Portrait of Britain 2025 offers unparalleled exposure. Digital files of winners are produced for press and publicity, and high-resolution TIFFs (Adobe 98 RGB, 300 dpi, minimum 3000 px on the longest side) will be requested for publication . This award stands out among the popular photo challenges online for its scope and impact.
The Portrait of Britain 2025 Prizes
Each year’s winners receive significant national exposure:
- 100 winning images exhibited on JCDecaux digital screens across the UK for one month.
- 200 shortlisted portraits published in the dedicated Portrait of Britain book.
The primary value lies in this immense visibility and the prestige of being part of a nationally significant photographic project.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Portrait of Britain 2025
Portrait of Britain 2025 operates on a single open theme of portraiture rather than separate categories. Entrants are free to interpret portraiture—from candid street captures to formal studio compositions—without genre constraints, reflecting the diversity of modern Britain.
Portrait of Britain 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Entries close on: 15 July 2025.
Photographs must have been taken after 1 January 2024 and depict subjects living in the UK at the time of capture. International photographers and subjects are welcome under these criteria.
Entry fees:
- Full Access and Digital Access members: Free.
- Non-members:
- £10 /1 image.
- £20 /3 images.
- £35 /10 images.
How to Enter:
Go to the official entry page, sign in as a Full/Digital Access member or select a paid package, upload your JPEG files (max 10 MB), add optional statements (max 250 characters), secure written model releases where needed, then submit before the deadline.
About the Jury
Portrait of Britain 2025 will be judged by a panel of distinguished industry figures:
- Rene Matić – Artist and Writer
- Sophie Parker – Director, Photo London
- Dennis Morris – Photographer
- Claire Rees – Photography Director, BAFTA
- Alice Zoo – Author and Photographer
- Mick Moore – CEO & Creative Director, British Journal of Photography
- Tom Booth Woodger – Publisher, Bluecoat Press
- Vivienne Gamble – Director, Stills Centre for Photography | Founder & Co-Director, Peckham 24
Why Enter?
Participating in Portrait of Britain 2025 means aligning your work with the best photography contests 2025, earning you a place among the most dynamic visual storytellers in the UK. Winners enjoy a month-long showcase on JCDecaux’s digital screen network, guaranteeing millions of impressions in high-traffic urban locations. Beyond public display, 200 shortlisted portraits are immortalized in the official Portrait of Britain book, a collectible volume distributed to galleries, libraries and photography enthusiasts worldwide. Press partnerships with outlets such as BBC, The Guardian and Sky News amplify your visibility, while expert judges from Photo London, BAFTA and the British Journal of Photography offer critical recognition that can elevate your profile in both editorial and commercial spheres.
As one of the strongest career accelerators among portrait photography awards, this contest not only celebrates your artistic voice but also builds a professional legacy, positioning your portfolio for future commissions, collaborations and gallery representation. Enter now to transform a single portrait into a landmark moment in your photographic journey.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Portrait of Britain 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
Portraits must be taken after 1 January 2024 and depict subjects in the UK at the time of capture.
Images must be JPEGs no larger than 10 MB and may be in portrait, landscape or square format.
Entrants may submit a statement (max 250 characters) in English.
Written consent is required for outdoor exhibition; verbal consent suffices for publication in the book.
Entries can be edited and resubmitted until the deadline.
Copyright and Image Usage
Entrants retain full copyright. By entering, you grant BJP and JCDecaux UK rights to display, reproduce and publish your work for Portrait of Britain and its promotion without transfer of copyright.
Winning and shortlisted photographers must supply high-resolution TIFF files (Adobe 98 RGB, 300 dpi, 8-bit, minimum 3000 px) promptly for press and publication. Digital files are produced by the organizers for press and publicity purposes.
BJP and JCDecaux UK are not responsible for loss or damage to submitted work.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
