Join the Global Photography Challenge: Enter the 2026 International Amateur Photographer of the Year Award

Amateur Photographer Magazine is once again celebrating exceptional image-making with the launch of the 2026 International Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) award. This competition presents an exciting opportunity for non-professional photographers to showcase their skills across ten themed rounds throughout the year and vie for impressive prizes. You can submit entries for the first category, STREET, until May 25, 2026.

Embrace the Art of Street Photography

Street photography is a unique form of visual storytelling that thrives on spontaneity. With little to no preparation necessary, you can simply grab your camera and step outside to capture the world around you. Utilizing a wide-angle lens can create dynamic compositions by incorporating more of the surrounding action, while a longer lens can effectively isolate your subject, allowing you to focus on emotions and poses devoid of distractions. Whether your eye is drawn to the interplay of light and shadow in a bustling market or the candid interactions of passersby, the street category invites a broad spectrum of creativity.

Young photographers aged 13-21 can participate in the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year competition with free entry.

Meet Your Guest Judge: Dawn Eagleton

The Street category will be judged by the acclaimed British street photographer, Dawn Eagleton. Known for her authentic portrayal of subjects in unguarded moments, Dawn uses human expressions and subtle gestures to craft relatable imagery. Her work has gained international recognition, reflected in various exhibitions and publications, as well as her debut book, Through the Glass. You can explore her portfolio at www.dawneagleton.com.

How to Enter the Competition

For the main APOY 2026 competition, you may submit up to 5 images in each round. You can obtain one free entry per round by using a unique code provided in Amateur Photographer magazine during the contest period. Without this code, the submission limit is capped at 4 images per round.

As for the Young APOY 2025 award, eligible participants can enter up to 4 images for free in each round.

Prizes Up for Grabs

Winners of each APOY 2026 round will receive:

• Free DxO software bundle (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

Runners-up in each round will be awarded a free DxO Nik Collection license worth £146, along with a £25 voucher for Bob Books. Moreover, the top ten submissions from every round will be featured in the Amateur Photographer magazine.

The overall champion, determined after the completion of all ten rounds, will receive £1,000 to spend at Park Cameras and a £100 voucher for Bob Books.

Young Amateur Photographer of the Year Category

An integral part of the APOY series, the Young Photographer of the Year contest nurtures talented photographers aged 21 and under as of the final closing date, February 1, 2027. All categories mirror the main contest, allowing young photographers to select the Young APOY option during submission on Photocrowd. Each round will see its winners and two runners-up rewarded, while the overall winner after all rounds will enjoy vouchers from Park Cameras and Bob Books.

Young APOY Prizes

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

Two runners-up from each round will receive a free DxO Nik Collection license worth £146 along with a £25 Bob Books voucher. The overall winner of Young APOY will earn a £250 voucher for Park Cameras and a £100 voucher for Bob Books.

Camerac Club Achievement

If you're a member of a camera club or photographic society, participating in the Amateur Photographer of the Year can help your group accumulate valuable points. The club accumulating the highest score after all ten rounds will be rewarded with a stunning new website, optimally designed by Amazing Internet, with an estimated value of £1,500.

Plan Your APOY 2026 Entries

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