Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition)
Fine Art Photography Awards (FAPA) fineartphotoawards.com ↗
Closes Feb 14, 2027
·
D − 125
Worth entering? $3.0K top prize against 24 USD per image. The jury read and the rights terms below are what decide it — not the prize math. Jury read ↓ · Rights & disqualifiers ↓
Submit-Safe · before you pay the entry fee
A few things to clear
A few things to clear before you pay — Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition) has 2 hard rules that disqualify entries.
What this contest takes
You keep copyright, but the licence reaches past promoting the contest — wider uses, sub-licensing or passing it to others. Read the licence clause before entering.
- Copyright stays with the entrant. Rule text: "You hereby grant the Fine Art Photography Awards a non-exclusive, irrevocable license in each Entry throughout the world in all media for any use in connection with the competition." Awarded images: "unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution images for activities in all media [...] in relation to the contest and all promotional activities without any remuneration being due." Copyright stays with the photographer; not resold to third parties.
- Duration: irrevocable (competition-connected use)
- You keep your copyright
- No attribution guaranteed
What disqualifies you
- Age minimum Entrants must be over 18. “Anyone over 18 years of age can enter the competition with the exception of employees of the Fine Art Photography Awards, their associated companies and employees of any company chosen to sponsor prizes for the competition.”
- Copyright ownership Entrant must be the sole copyright owner, with permission from people featured. “The entrant must be the sole copyright owner of all photographs entered and must have obtained permission of any people featured in the entries (or their parents/guardians if children under 16 are featured).”
Closes Feb 14, 2027 · D−125
24 USD per image
Upload spec:
Files: JPGMax 1200px long edgesRGB colour profileNo watermarks
Check your photo against these exact rules — free →
No account · reads the editing line, the AI clause and the file spec · rules human-verified
The full editorial read continues with past-winner pattern, fee-to-prize value, rights translated, and three comparable competitions. Studio reads the rest.
Categories
Abstract
Single
Fine art abstract photography.
Architecture
Single
Fine art architecture and buildings.
Conceptual
Single
Conceptual fine art photography.
Experimental
Single
Experimental photographic techniques.
Fashion
Single
Fine art fashion photography.
Fine Art
Single
Fine art photography in any subject.
Landscape
Single
Fine art landscape photography.
Nature
Single
Fine art nature photography.
Night Photography
Single
Night photography — stars, city lights, nocturnal scenes.
Nudes
Single
Fine art nude photography.
Open Theme
Single
Any subject not covered elsewhere.
Panoramic
Single
Panoramic fine art photography.
People
Single
Fine art photography of people.
Photojournalism
Single
Photojournalism and documentary.
Photomanipulation
Single
Photomanipulation built from photographic material.
Portrait
Single
Fine art portrait photography.
Seascape
Single
Seascape — sea, coast and ocean.
Street Photography
Single
Street photography.
Travel
Single
Fine art travel photography.
Wildlife / Animals
Single
Wildlife and animal photography.
Series (any category)
Series · up to 5 photos (min 2)
Two to five images sharing a common theme and single title, judged as one piece; can be entered in any of the 20 categories.
F Format requirements 1 spec
fapa_entry
- File types: jpg
- Max long edge: 1200px
- Color profile: sRGB
- No watermarks
E Eligibility 4 rules
-
Entrants must be over 18.
hard
“Anyone over 18 years of age can enter the competition with the exception of employees of the Fine Art Photography Awards, their associated companies and employees of any company chosen to sponsor prizes for the competition.”
-
No AI-specific clause. Entries must be made with photographic techniques; digital manipulation is accepted "within reason and taste"; the Photomanipulation category takes images "composed of several photographs or generated elements"; winners may be asked for RAW files. Treat generative AI as a grey zone and confirm with the organiser first.
soft
“We accept images made using photographic techniques (camera, image recording device, enlarger, etc.).”
-
Entrant must be the sole copyright owner, with permission from people featured.
hard
“The entrant must be the sole copyright owner of all photographs entered and must have obtained permission of any people featured in the entries (or their parents/guardians if children under 16 are featured).”
-
Professional section if at least half your income is from photography; otherwise Amateur (lower fee, separate $2,000 grand prize).
soft
“We consider professional photographers those who earn at least half of their income from photography. The Amateur category is for photographers who do not make their main income from photography.”
Jury context
International online awards (13th edition) judged by a 14-strong panel of working photographers (e.g. Tugo Cheng, Michele Palazzo, Jaco Marx). Judged on "artistic merit, originality, subject and style".
Priorities: artistic merit originality subject style
Tone: personal vision fine art conceptual
Avoid: watermarks borders snapshot aesthetics
Prizes
Professional Fine Art Photographer of the Year: $3,000. Amateur Fine Art Photographer of the Year: $2,000. Category winners and nominees: gold, silver, bronze and white badges and certificates; winners gallery and international press.
R Rights & licensing what you grant the organizer
- What you grant
- Copyright stays with the entrant. Rule text: "You hereby grant the Fine Art Photography Awards a non-exclusive, irrevocable license in each Entry throughout the world in all media for any use in connection with the competition." Awarded images: "unlimited non-exclusive use of high-resolution images for activities in all media [...] in relation to the contest and all promotional activities without any remuneration being due." Copyright stays with the photographer; not resold to third parties.
- Duration
- irrevocable (competition-connected use)
- Exclusivity
- none
- Attribution
- Not required
- Copyright retained by photographer
- Yes
Before you enter — quick answers
- Is Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition) free to enter?
- Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition) is not free: 24 USD per image. Check the organizer's page for the full fee rules and any waivers.
- Are AI-generated images allowed in Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition)?
- See the published rules for Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition)'s AI policy.
- When is the Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition) deadline?
- Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition) closes on Feb 14, 2027 (in 125 days).
- How do I know if my photo is eligible for Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition)?
- Read your photograph against Fine Art Photography Awards 2026–2027 (13th edition)'s published rules — the editing line, the AI clause, and the file requirements — free and without an account with WinPhoto's eligibility check. It tells you whether your image is eligible before you pay the entry fee.