Enter the People & Portraits Category of the International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2026

Amateur photographers, here’s your chance to showcase your talent! The International Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) award is now open for submissions, inviting photo enthusiasts from around the globe to participate. This annual competition, organized by Amateur Photographer Magazine, features ten thematic rounds, and the current call is for the sixth category: People & Portraits, accepting entries until October 12, 2026.

The Significance of Portrait Photography

People remain an endlessly fascinating subject in photography, allowing for expression and emotional depth. A successful portrait captures more than just a face; it reveals the character and soul of the subject amidst varied settings—whether you're shooting on bustling streets, in the intimacy of a home, or within a controlled studio environment. While candid shots can showcase spontaneous moments, posed portraits often benefit from simple setups: clean lighting, uncluttered backgrounds, and genuine expressions can create impactful imagery that resonates with viewers.

Entry Guidelines

Photographers aged 13-21 can participate in the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year segment, with free entry available. For participants of the main APOY competition, you may submit up to five images across ten rounds. Each round allows for one free entry, obtainable via a unique code found in Amateur Photographer Magazine. Without this code, you can still enter up to four images per round.

Meet the Judge: Arteh Odjidja

This year's guest judge is Arteh Odjidja, a distinguished London-based photographer and author. Known for his socially conscious portrait work and his acclaimed book Fear and Dreams: Migrant and Refugee Stories, Arteh has exhibited in prestigious venues like the Tate Modern and the British Museum. He also shares insights on creativity and identity through his podcast, One of One.

Rewards and Prizes

The APOY competition offers substantial rewards for its winners:

• The winner of each round will receive:
• Free DxO software (DxO PhotoLab 8 and DxO FilmPack 7), valued at £340
• A £300 voucher valid at Park Cameras
• An annual subscription to The School of Photography, worth £120
• A £50 voucher for Bob Books
• The two runners-up in every round will receive a free DxO Nik Collection license (valued at £146) and a £25 voucher for Bob Books.
• The top ten entries from each round will be featured in Amateur Photographer.
• The overall winner after all rounds will secure £1,000 to spend at Park Cameras and a £100 Bob Books voucher.

Young Photographer Competition

The Young Amateur Photographer of the Year competition has become an integral part of the APOY initiative, encouraging the next generation of photography talent. Eligible participants must be age 21 or younger by the competition's final closing date on February 1, 2027. Categories mirror those of the main contest, and when uploading images, simply select the Young APOY option.

Each round offers winners and runners-up substantial prizes, with the overall young winner earning vouchers for Park Cameras and Bob Books.

Young APOY Prizes

• Free licenses for DxO PhotoLab and FilmPack worth £340
• A £100 voucher for Park Cameras
• An annual subscription to The School of Photography, valued at £120
• A £50 voucher for Bob Books

The two runners-up will benefit from a free DxO Nik Collection license and a £25 voucher for Bob Books.

The overall Young APOY winner receives a £250 Park Cameras voucher and a £100 voucher for Bob Books.

Benefits for Camera Clubs

Members of camera clubs or photographic societies can compete for points by entering the APOY. The club with the most points at the conclusion of ten rounds will receive a professionally built website from Amazing Internet, valued at £1,500.

Plan Your Entries for APOY 2026

It’s crucial to keep track of the competition schedule. Here’s a glimpse of the upcoming entry themes and deadlines:

Keep your creativity flowing and seize this opportunity to submit your best work. Best of luck to all participants!