Head On Photo Awards
Submit photographs for consideration in one of three categories (Landscape, Exposure, or Portrait) in an anonymous juried competition.
Does this fit your work? 5 questions score every call to your medium, location and budget. Free.
Get matched →- Deadline
- 13 days left
- Entry fee
- $30
- Award
- $80,000
- Location
- Bondi Beach and Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Exhibition window
- Nov 7, 2026 → Nov 29, 2026
- Applicants notified
- Nov 6, 2026
About
Overview
Head On Photo Awards is Australia's premier photographic competition and one of the most prestigious in the world. A panel of internationally esteemed judges selects work anonymously, focusing on the quality and impact of the image rather than the photographer's reputation. Since 2004, the awards have distributed over $750,000 in cash and prizes to photographers worldwide.
Key Dates
- Applications open: 30 June 2026
- Applications close: 16 August 2026
- Finalists notified: 22 September 2026
- Exhibition dates: 7 November - 29 November 2026
Categories
- Landscape Award
- Exposure Award
- Portrait Award
Prizes
- AUD $80,000 total prize pool
- Three $5,000 cash prizes
- 3 winners selected
- 6 runners-up
- 100 finalists
- 200 semi-finalists
- Printed finalists exhibitions for each category at Head On Photo Festival
- Inclusion in Head On Photo Awards catalogue
- Selected work will tour internationally
Eligibility
Open to national and international photographers.
Entry Fees
- $30/photo for non-premium account holders
- $25/photo for premium account holders
- $15/photo for under-25s
Exhibition Venues
Finalists will be exhibited at Bondi Beach and Paddington Reservoir Gardens. Selected work will tour internationally. Head On manages and pays for all exhibition costs.
Contact
For more information, email [email protected] or visit https://www.headon.org.au/awards
- Award
- AUD $80,000 prize pool including three $5,000 cash prizes, finalists exhibition, and international touring
- Entry fee
- $30/photo for non-premium account holders, $25/photo for premium account holders, and $15/photo for under-25s
- Theme
- Australia's premier photographic competition showcasing innovative Australian and international photography across three categories: Landscape, Exposure, and Portrait.
- Eligibility
- Open to national and international photographers.
- Audience
- National and International entries allowed
- Format
- Ship your work in
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.