Portrait of Britain 2026 – Vol. 9

What does Britain look like today, through the people who call it home? Portrait of Britain 2026 – Vol. 9 returns with a nationwide photography exhibition that brings portraits of everyday life onto digital screens across the United Kingdom. Organized by 1854 Media, publisher of the British Journal of Photography, the award will select 200 shortlisted portraits and 100 winning images, with the winners displayed publicly for one month from early January 2027. The submission deadline is November 5, 2026.

Since its launch in 2016, Portrait of Britain has explored the people, communities, and experiences that shape contemporary British society. The competition welcomes photographers from around the world, provided their portraits were taken in the UK after January 1, 2025. Subjects can be individuals or groups, photographed in formal settings or through everyday encounters. For photographers interested in portrait photo contests, its defining feature is the opportunity to have their work displayed beyond traditional exhibition spaces.

The winning photographs will appear on JCDecaux UK digital screens across the country, while selected work may also receive coverage through the British Journal of Photography and other publications. Entry fees start at £10 for a single image, while eligible BJP Access Members can submit ten images without an additional charge. Photographers looking for other opportunities can explore popular photo challenges online and a wide range of photography competitions listed on Deartline.

Prizes

Portrait of Britain Vol. 9 will recognize 200 shortlisted photographs, with 100 selected as winners for a nationwide public exhibition. The main opportunities combine public presentation, editorial coverage, and recognition through the British Journal of Photography.

• 100 Winning Photographs:
  • Exhibition on JCDecaux UK digital screens across the United Kingdom for one month, beginning in early January 2027.
  • Opportunity for editorial coverage through the British Journal of Photography and related competition publicity.
  • Potential promotion through the organizer’s national and international press communications.
• 200 Shortlisted Photographs:
  • Recognition as part of the official Portrait of Britain Vol. 9 shortlist.
  • Consideration for the final selection of 100 winning portraits.
  • Potential inclusion in publications associated with Portrait of Britain, subject to editorial selection.

Selected photographs may also appear in the Portrait of Britain book and in print or digital publications associated with BJP, Bluecoat Press, and JCDecaux, subject to editorial selection.

Categories or Themes

Portrait of Britain has a single central theme: portraiture reflecting life in contemporary Britain. There are no separate photographic categories. Entries may portray individuals or groups, and the competition welcomes different approaches to representing people, identity, and community.

Dates and Entry Fees

Portrait of Britain Vol. 9 is accepting submissions for its 2026 edition, with judging scheduled for November and the public exhibition beginning in January 2027.

Entry Fees:

• One image: £10.
• Three images: £20.
• Ten images: £35.
• Up to twenty images: £60.
• BJP Access Members: Up to ten images without an additional entry fee, included with an eligible membership.

Members using their included entries must maintain an eligible membership during judging and the planned exhibition period. Additional paid entry packages are available.

How to Enter

Applications are submitted through the official Portrait of Britain 2026 entry platform. Participants select an entry package or use their eligible BJP Access Membership. Paid entrants complete their purchase through Stripe and receive a personal upload link by email.

Initial submissions must be JPEG files no larger than 10 MB each. Photographers may include a short statement in English of fewer than 2,000 characters for each image. Once an entry has been formally submitted, it cannot be altered.

Photographers selected for the shortlist or winning exhibition must be able to provide high-resolution TIFF files promptly when requested.

About the Jury

Portrait of Britain Vol. 9 will be judged by a panel of twelve professionals working across photography, publishing, museums, and the wider visual arts sector.

• Vanley Burke: Photographer.
• Adama Jalloh: Photographer.
• Anna Liesching: Art Curator, National Museums NI.
• Francis Hodgson: Founder, Prix Pictet.
• Dr Ajamu X: Artist and Archive Curator.
• Mick Moore: CEO and Creative Director, British Journal of Photography.
• Tom Booth Woodger: Publisher, Bluecoat Press.
• Zoe Harrison: Head of Awards and Partnerships, British Journal of Photography.
• Kalpesh Lathigra: Photographer.
• Ingrid Pollard: Photographer.
• Mimi Mollica: Photographer.
• Sinead Solomon: Creative Producer, British Journal of Photography.

The panel brings together photographic practitioners and professionals involved in the exhibition, publication, and interpretation of photographic work. Judging is scheduled throughout November 2026, although the organizer does not publish a detailed scoring system or confirm that entries are assessed anonymously.

Why Enter Portrait of Britain 2026 – Vol. 9?

Portrait of Britain brings photography into everyday public spaces through its nationwide exhibition on JCDecaux UK digital screens. The 100 winning portraits will be seen across the country, connecting individual stories with the communities and environments that shape contemporary British life.

Since 2016, the award has documented the people, cultures, and experiences of Britain through successive editions. Its focus on personal stories and social identity makes it relevant to photographers interested in portraiture and documentary work. Those exploring portrait photography awards can also discover other opportunities through Deartline’s directory of best photography contests 2026.

Rules and Copyright

We reviewed the official rules of Portrait of Britain 2026 – Vol. 9 to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.

Rules

The competition accepts entries from photographers of all ages and nationalities. Participants under 18 must provide the contact details of a parent or guardian. Photographs must have been taken after January 1, 2025, and show individuals or groups photographed within England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Written consent is required for photographs used in the JCDecaux exhibition. When the subject is a minor, written authorization must come from a parent or guardian. Images containing nudity, sexualized material, or certain offensive content may be considered unsuitable for public advertising screens.

Original photographs modified using artificial intelligence may be submitted, but significant AI alterations must be declared. Failure to disclose them may result in disqualification.

Shortlisted and winning photographers must be prepared to supply high-resolution files suitable for publication, using Adobe RGB (1998), 300 dpi, 8-bit TIFF format, and a minimum of 3,000 pixels on the longest side.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain copyright to their submitted images. The organizer’s general competition terms grant 1854 Media a non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free licence to reproduce and publish entries for editorial coverage and promotion of Portrait of Britain.

These permissions apply to all submitted images, not only winning photographs, and extend to publicity connected with current and future editions. Images may also appear in third-party media as part of coverage of the award.

The terms limit the authorized purposes to activities directly related to the competition and do not transfer ownership of the photographs. Participants must have the necessary rights and permissions for any images they submit.

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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.