Across continents, cultures, and communities, photographers are bearing witness to the defining challenges and triumphs of our time.
Through conflict zones and climate disasters, moments of protest and resilience, stories of identity, belonging, and resistance—photojournalists continue to capture the images that shape how the world understands itself.
Today, more than ever, the world needs these stories.
And your voice, your vision, and your work might be the one that shifts global consciousness.
That is why the 2026 World Press Photo Contest is now open—and it is calling on professional photographers everywhere to submit the most urgent, compelling, and powerful images created over the past year. Whether you are documenting life at the grassroots, chronicling underreported stories, or shining a light on injustice, your photography has a place on the world stage.
Why You Should Enter the 2026 World Press Photo Contest
The World Press Photo Contest has, for decades, stood as the most prestigious platform for photojournalists and documentary photographers around the world. Entering the contest is free and open to all professionals working in the field. More importantly, it offers unmatched visibility, credibility, and career-transforming opportunities.
As a contest winner, your work will reach a global audience through:
Worldwide Exhibition Exposure
Your photos will be included in the annual World Press Photo traveling exhibition—seen by over 4 million people across 80+ cities worldwide. From museums to cultural centers, universities to public squares, your work will resonate with audiences far beyond your home region.
Global Yearbook Publication
Your photography will be published in the World Press Photo Yearbook, printed in six languages and distributed to more than 30,000 readers, including editors, curators, researchers, students, and visual storytelling professionals.
Digital Reach
Your winning work will be showcased across World Press Photo’s digital platforms, with an audience of over 2 million followers, amplifying your story and exposing your portfolio to global viewers, collaborators, and commissioning editors.
What You Could Win
Awards include:
- €1,000 for each winner
- An additional €10,000 for the World Press Photo of the Year winner
- Cutting-edge FUJIFILM GFX cameras and lenses for the Photo of the Year winner and two finalists
- A fully hosted invitation to Amsterdam for the winners’ event
- A physical award recognizing your achievement
- And—above all—global recognition alongside the most influential photographers of our time
Your work could spark debate, inspire empathy, or shift policy discussions. It could illuminate a truth that the world has overlooked. It could become one of the images that defines 2026.
Who Should Apply?
You should consider entering if you are:
- A professional photojournalist covering breaking news or long-form documentary stories
- A photographer documenting the lived experiences of your community
- A storyteller amplifying underrepresented narratives and marginalized voices
- A visual witness to environmental, social, political, or cultural change
- Working independently, with a newsroom, or as part of a collective
Photojournalism is not limited to those on the front lines of conflict. It is also about documenting everyday life with depth, respect, and meaning. The World Press Photo Contest recognizes the value of all stories—local, global, intimate, urgent, quiet, or explosive.
