The reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026 is now open for entries and inviting photographers from around the world to submit their work.. With over $4,000 in cash prizes and a platform that celebrates vibrant, expressive color imagery, this is one of the standout contests of the year. The final deadline to submit entries is June 22, 2026.
Submissions are accepted in both single-image and series formats, across an expansive range of genres including architecture, portrait, abstract, and nature. Winners not only receive monetary awards but also gain valuable exposure through the reFocus Artist Directory, a dedicated Winner’s Gallery, and customized promotional tools. This makes it a strong contender among photography contests to enter in 2026.
Whether you’re an established professional or an emerging talent, the reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026 offers a chance to gain international recognition, backed by an expert jury and a clear focus on visual storytelling through color. It’s a strong opportunity to gain recognition and showcase your work internationally.
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The reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026 Prizes
The contest offers over $4,000 in cash prizes, divided into professional and non-professional categories:
- Professional Category:
- 1st Place: $1,500
- 2nd Place: $750
- 3rd Place: $250
- Non-Professional Category:
- 1st Place: $900
- 2nd Place: $400
- 3rd Place: $200
In addition to cash awards, winners will receive a custom-designed trophy, be featured in an artist interview, and included in the reFocus Artist Directory and online Winner’s Gallery—useful exposure opportunities for photographers looking to grow their visibility.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026
This competition includes a wide selection of categories tailored to various photographic styles. Participants can submit work in :
- Abstract
- Aerial
- Architecture
- Conceptual
- Domestic Animals
- Event
- Fashion & Beauty
- Film/Analog
- Fine Art
- Landscapes
- Minimalism
- Nature
- People
- Photojournalism
- Portrait
- Still Life
- Street
- Travel
- Underwater
- Wildlife
There is no thematic restriction other than a focus on color photography, making it suitable for anyone working across different genres, from creative portraits to expressive street photography or conceptual color compositions.
reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Below are the official deadlines for the 2026 edition of the contest:
- Early Bird Deadline: March 18, 2026
- Regular Deadline: April 29, 2026
- Extended Deadline: June 22, 2026
- Winners Announcement: July 15, 2026
Entry Fees:
Fees vary depending on the submission phase and participant level (Professional, Non-Professional, or Student).
- Early Bird Fees
- Single Image: $25 (Professional) / $21 (Non-Professional) / $12 (Student)
- Series: $42 (Professional) / $34 (Non-Professional) / $25 (Student)
- Regular Fees
- Single Image: $27 (Professional) / $22 (Non-Professional) / $13 (Student)
- Series: $45 (Professional) / $36 (Non-Professional) / $27 (Student)
- Extended Deadline Fees
- Single Image: $30 (Professional) / $25 (Non-Professional) / $15 (Student)
- Series: $50 (Professional) / $40 (Non-Professional) / $30 (Student)
Additional categories receive a 50% discount, and all participants receive 5% back in Reward Dollars.
How to Enter:
To participate, photographers must register on the reFocus Awards website, complete a short artist profile, upload their image(s), select the category, and finalize payment. Submissions are only accepted through the contest’s official online platform.
About the Jury
The listed jurors on the reFocus Awards website include:
- Irene Opezzo (Robb Report)
- Carol Olona (BBC World Service)
- Gabriel H. Sanchez (The New York Times)
- Rasha Kahil (HTSI – Financial Times)
- Karin Mueller (Conde Nast Publications Ltd / Conde Nast Traveller magazine UK)
- Daniel Melamud (Rizzoli)
This jury combines experience from major international media, publishing, and photography platforms.
Why Enter reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 2026?
There are several good reasons to consider entering this contest. First, the reFocus Awards offers an international platform with strong industry visibility. Winners receive not just cash, but long-term visibility through professional artist pages and press coverage. Second, the contest is focused specifically on color, making it especially interesting for photographers who work creatively with color. Finally, its inclusive categories and dual-tiered professional structure make it accessible for photographers at all stages of their careers. It’s an excellent choice to explore among the best photography contest listings this year.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the reFocus Awards: Color Photography Contest 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
Participants must be 18 years or older. Only original photographic work is accepted; AI-generated imagery is not allowed. Each image must fit within one of the available categories and comply with submission guidelines regarding size, format, and captioning.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain full copyright ownership of all submitted images. However, by entering the contest, they grant the organizers a non-exclusive license to display the images for promotional purposes related to the reFocus Awards, always with proper credit to the author.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
