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The Photo Review 2026 International Photography Competition invites photographers from around the globe to submit their finest work for one of the year’s most respected photo contests. Organized by The Photo Review, a critical journal of photography with international reach, the competition culminates in a physical exhibition at the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, alongside print and online publication opportunities for accepted entries.
This year’s juror is Dr. Sarah Kennel, Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Awards exceed $4,000 in value and include a $1,000 purchase prize, professional-grade equipment, and prominent features in print and digital media. Participants are required to submit their entries by May 20, 2026. The entry fee is $40 for up to three images, with an $8 charge for each additional submission, and all entrants will have the option to subscribe to the full-color journal at a discounted rate.
The Photo Review 2026 Prizes
The Photo Review 2026 prize list totals over $4,000, the prizes are as follows:
- $1,000 Purchase Prize (Haverford College Photography Collection)
- $500 Printing Gift Certificate (Booksmart Studio)
- Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Tablet
- $250 Gift Certificate (Digital Silver Imaging)
- $200 Gift Certificate (Shades of Paper)
- Additional Prizes
- $100 and $75 gift cards from Think Tank
- $100 and $50 gift certificates from Red River Paper
- Two $100 gift certificates from PhotoLounge
- Two $50 gift certificates from PhotoFlashDrive
- Publication and Features
- Winners are featured in The Photo Review print journal, website galleries, the Laurence Miller Gallery’s “Picture of the Week,” and Peter Fetterman’s “The Power of Photography” email series.
The Categories of the Photo Review 2026
The competition does not utilize specific categories. Instead, it is open to all photographic approaches including black and white, color, alternative processes, and digitally manipulated images. This flexibility allows for a wide range of stylistic expression and encourages submissions from various genres and practices under a unified photographic umbrella.
The Photo Review 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
- Submission Deadline: May 20, 2026
- Notification of Results: By June 2026
Entry Fee:
$40 for up to three images.
Additional images can be submitted for $8 each.
How to Enter:
All entries must be submitted through Smarter Entry. Photographers should upload digital images formatted as JPG files, 72 ppi, RGB/sRGB color space, with a maximum file size of 8MB and at least 1920 pixels on the longest side. File names should follow the format: lastname-initial-number (e.g., SmithJ01.jpg).
About the Jury
The Photo Review 2026 competition is juried by Dr. Sarah Kennel, Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Director of the Raysor Center for Works on Paper. A specialist in the history of photography, she has curated and published extensively on topics ranging from nineteenth-century French photography to European modernism and women photographers.
Her recent projects include A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845, Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist, Underexposed: Women Artists from the High Museum of Art, and Olivia Parker: Order of Imagination. She has previously held positions at the National Gallery of Art, the Peabody Essex Museum, and the High Museum of Art.
Why Enter The Photo Review 2026?
The Photo Review International Photography Competition is widely respected for its commitment to presenting high-quality photographic work in both print and exhibition spaces. With a juror like Dr. Sarah Kennel, participants gain the opportunity to have their work evaluated and potentially selected by one of the leading voices in the field.
The competition not only offers over $4,000 in material and cash prizes but also provides long-term exposure through print features, online publications, and visibility in respected email newsletters. Accepted photographs are reproduced in the competition issue and on the website, reaching a global audience.
Many past participants have gone on to receive solo exhibitions, be published in additional journals, and connect with collectors due to their involvement. Among other photography competitions to enter, this one stands out for combining rewards with critical visibility and access to a discerning photographic audience.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the The Photo Review 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
All photographic mediums are eligible, including traditional and digital processes. Entries must adhere to specified technical requirements. Images should be submitted via Smarter Entry, and higher-resolution files may be required if selected. Notification of selected works will be sent by June 2026. Exhibition-ready prints will be requested from prizewinners for display at the Woodmere Art Museum.
Copyright and Image Usage
Photographers retain full rights to their images. The Photo Review reserves the right to reproduce accepted work in its journal, website, and promotional materials, both digital and print. Entries imply acceptance of these terms. While every effort will be made to handle work with care, The Photo Review is not liable for damage or loss, and participants are encouraged to insure their prints if applicable.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
