The World Press Photo Contest, established in 1955, has grown from a small national competition into a major global event with thousands of participants. It celebrates the finest works of photojournalism and documentary photography capturing breaking news, sports, nature, and pressing social, political, and environmental issues from the past year.
The competition is open to professional photojournalists and documentary photographers worldwide.
Organized across six global regions—Africa; Asia and Oceania; Europe; North and Central America; South America; and West, Central, and South Asia—the contest evaluates submissions based on two key criteria: geographical region and format. Entrants may submit their work in the following categories:
Categories
- Singles: A stand-alone photograph depicting a single moment, event, or issue. Entries must be shot in 2025.
- Stories: A series of 4–10 single-frame photographs forming a cohesive narrative, taken in 2024 or 2025 (with at least four images shot in 2025).
- Long-Term Projects: A deep, ongoing project consisting of 24–30 photographs, demonstrating long-term commitment to a subject for at least three years (including 2024 and 2025).
- Open Format: For stories requiring alternative visual approaches beyond traditional structures. Works may include multimedia, archival material, re-enactments, or innovative visual techniques, provided documentary integrity is maintained.
Submission Requirements
- Images must not contain unrealistic manipulation; excessive alterations will result in disqualification.
- Editing must remain minimal and comply with the contest’s Ethical Guidelines.
- Image files must contain EXIF data, or a valid explanation must be provided.
- Only works created in 2024 or 2025 are eligible; older work will not be accepted.
- No visible names, logos, or watermarks are allowed.
- Images must be submitted in high-quality JPEG, between 700 KB and 2 MB.
Required Documents
- Proof of professional status (press card, membership in a recognized photographers’ association, or at least one publication credit in 2024 or 2025 under the applicant’s name).
- Detailed English-language captions (location, date, and description)
Awards
- €1,000 for each regional winner.
- €1,000 + €10,000 for the overall World Press Photo of the Year winner.
- FUJIFILM GFX camera and lenses for the global winner and two finalists.
- Invitation to the Awards Ceremony in Amsterdam.
- Exhibition of winning works in the annual World Press Photo global tour, showcased in 80+ cities worldwide and viewed by over 4 million visitors.
- Feature publication on the contest’s website, social media, and in the official Yearbook
Entry Fee
Participation is free of charge.