Photography is an ever-evolving art form, constantly shaped by technological advancements, cultural shifts, and new creative possibilities. As we step into 2025, photographers—whether professionals or enthusiasts—have an array of exciting trends to explore. Here’s a deep dive into the top photography trends expected to define this year.
#1. LensCulture New Visions Photography Awards
- The competition is open to all photographers over the age of 18.
- You may submit a single photos or series. You can choose from 6 thematic categories.
- Entry fees: from $10 to $45.
- The overall winner will receive $5,000 cash and $5,000 equipment credit.
- Deadline: 15 January 2025
#2. Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025
- Images can be submitted to the following eight categories: Aurorae, Galaxies, Our Moon, Our Sun, People and Space, Planets, Comets and Asteroids, Skyscapes, Stars and Nebulae
- The entry fee is £10 for adults.
- The overall winner will receive £10,000.
- Deadline: 3 March 2025
- Top and Best Photography Competitions to Enter in 2025
#3. Nikon Small World 2025
- The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 years.
- Small World Photomicrography Competition (1st Prize: $3,000 / 2nd Prize: $2,000 / 3rd Prize: $1,000)
- Small World In Motion Video Competition (1st Prize: $3,000 / 2nd Prize: $2,000 / 3rd Prize: $1,000).
- Entry is free.
- Deadline: 30 April 2025
#4. Smartphone Photography Competition 2024
- Photos entered into the competition must be taken with a smartphone.
- The competition is free to enter.
- • 1st prize: 5,000 RMB
- • 2nd prize: 3,000 RMB
- • 3rd prize: 1,000 RMB
- Deadline: 21 January 2025
#5. International Nature Photography Competition ASFERICO 2025
- The competition is open to anyone.
- There are nine categories: Landscape | Underwater worlds | Mammals | Birds | Other animals | Plants and fungi | Composition and forms | Man and nature | Stories.
- The entry fee is from 30 € to 35 €.
- The overall winner will receive 3.000 €.
- Deadline: 12 January 2025
#6. 2024 Istanbul Photo Awards
- Istanbul Photo Awards is an international news photography competition organized by Anadolu Agency, Turkey.
- The competition is open to professional photojournalists from around the world.
- Photos must be taken in 2024.
- The competition is free to enter.
- The overall winner receives 6,000 USD.
- Deadline: 10 January 2025
#7. TIPA Photo Contest 2025
- The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) awards the best photos of photographic equipment.
- There are three categories: My camera and I, My camera in action, What’s in my camera bag
- The competition is free to enter.
- The overall winner will receive 1,500 €.
- Each of the category winners will receive 500 €.
- Deadline: 15 February 2025
#8. 2025 Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition
- The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers.
- You may submit a mountain-themed photo essay. Images must have been taken within the last two years (2024 – 2025).
- The competition is free to enter.
- The Grand Prize winner will receive $3,000 CAD.
- Deadline: 5 May 2025
#9. EuroNatur Photo Competition 2025
- The competition is open to nature photographers living in Europe.
- You may submit a maximum of 5 images. All pictures must be taken in Europe.
- Entry is free.
- 1st prize: 1,500 €
- 2nd prize: 1,000 €
- 3rd prize: 750 €
- 4th prize: 500 €
- 5th prize: 250 €
- Deadline: 31 March 2025
#10. 2025 BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition
- The BigPicture Photo Competition is is open to all photographers worldwide. It is organized by the California Academy of Sciences.
- Entry fees: $25 for up to 10 single image submissions in any category.
- Prizes: Grand Prize: $5,000, First Place for each category (7 total): $1,000
- Deadline: 1 March 2025
#11. Leica Street Photo Contest
- The competition is open to all street photographers from around the world.
- You may submit up to 5 images.
- Entry is free.
- The Grand Prize winner will receive the Leica Q3 camera.
- Deadline: 10 January 2025
#12. CEWE Photo Award 2025
- Individuals aged 18 or older can participate, except in the "Young Talent Award" category, which is open to those aged 16–25.
- The competition is free to enter.
- 1st place: Trip (€10,000), photo equipment (€5,000), and CEWE products (€2,500).
- 2nd-10th place: Photo equipment (€5,000) and CEWE products (€2,500).
- 11th-30th place: Photo equipment (€2,500) and CEWE products (€1,000).
- Deadline: 31 May 2025
#13. The World Press Photo Contest 2025
- The World Press Photo contest is open to all professional photographers working in the field of photojournalism and/or documentary photography.
- The competition is free to enter.
- The World Press Photo of the Year winner will receive €10,000.
- Submissions are open from 1 December 2024 until 10 January 2025.
#14. Nikon Film and Photo Contest 2024-2025
- The Nikon Film and Photo Contest is open to all, professional and amateur, regardless of age, gender, or nationality.
- There are two competitions: Photo Competition; Short Film Competition.
- The entry is free.
- The Grand Prize winners will each receive 500,000 yen.
- Deadline: 17 February 2025
#15. International Competition of Nature Photography GLANZLICHTER 2025
- GLANZLICHTER is an international competition open to everyone who practices nature photography.
- The entry fee is 20 € per person.
- The overall winner will receive 2,500 €.
- Each of the category winners will receive 500 €.
- Deadline: 5 January 2025
#16. Belfast Photo Festival 2025
- Belfast Photo Festival is an annual international festival of photography.
- Entry is open to all photographers from anywhere in the world. Applicants must be age 16+
- You can submit a photo-book and series of photographs (up to 15 images).
- The entry fee is 29 €.
- The winners will be eligible for a number of awards, including a cash prize of £2,000.
- Deadline: 31 January 2025
#17. Sony World Photography Awards 2025
- There are four competitions: Professional, Open, Youth, Student competition
- Entry is free.
- Winning photographers will receive cash prizes and Sony digital imaging equipment.
- Professional competition: 10 January 2025
- Open competition: 3 January 2025
- Youth competition: 3 January 2025
#18. Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
- The competition is open to anyone.
- Your image should explore one or more of the following subject matters: Mental health, Infectious disease, Climate and health, Discovery research.
- The competition is free to enter.
- Prizes: 3 x £10,000, 22 x £1,000
- Deadline: 14 January 2025
