Head On Photo Awards 2026

The Head On Photo Awards 2026, organised by the Head On Foundation, invites photographers from around the world to submit work across three categories – Portrait, Landscape and Exposure. Entries close on 16 August 2026 (11:59 pm Sydney time). The competition is judged anonymously, ensuring that selections are based solely on artistic merit. A total prize pool of over AUD 80,000 is awarded, with each category winner receiving AUD 5,000 cash, a premium OM Systems camera kit, a 12‑month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription and a Photobook Australia printing package. Runners‑up receive the printing package and subscription, while all finalists are featured in a printed and online exhibition at the Head On Photo Festival 2026, included in a hard‑cover catalogue, and may join touring shows nationally and internationally. Entry fees are AUD 35 for general applicants and AUD 17.50 for photographers under 25, with a discounted rate for Festival Friends members. The awards are open to photographers of any level and any genre, but AI‑generated images are excluded. All exhibition production costs are covered by the Head On Foundation, and finalists retain full copyright to their images. The competition runs annually, making it a recurring open call for photographers seeking recognition, cash awards, and exhibition exposure.

Group exhibition at Head On Photo Festival 2026, printed catalogue, touring exhibition, production of exhibition prints, mentorship through festival programming.

Open to photographers of any level worldwide. Under‑25 entrants receive a reduced fee. AI‑generated images are not accepted.