Entries open for World Press Photo Contest 2025

They want the annual contest to be a platform where a multiplicity of voices can be heard-and stories can be seen-so that the results truly are reflective of their world. The 2025 World Press Photo Contest works with 6 worldwide regions – Africa; West, Central, and South Asia; Europe; North and Central America; South America; and Asia Pacific and Oceania.

Categories

• There are three format-based categories: Singles, Stories and Long-Term Projects.
• These categories welcome entries that witness or document news moments, events and/or aftermaths, as well as social, political and environmental issues or solutions.
• These format-based categories encompass all thematic categories from previous contests – such as general news, spot news, contemporary issues, environment, nature, sports, portraits – therefore entries on a wide range of themes may be submitted to the appropriate format-based category.
  • Singles
    • Single frame photographs.
    • All singles must have been shot in 2024.
    • All singles will be eligible for the World Press Photo of the Year.
  • Stories
    • Stories can contain between 4 and 10 single frame photographs.
    • All photographs entered into the stories category must have been shot in 2023 or 2024. At least four photographs in a story must have been shot in 2024.
    • All photographs shot in 2024 that are included in the story will be eligible for the World Press Photo of the Year.
  • Long-Term Projects
    • Projects on a single theme containing between 24-30 single frame photographs.
    • An entry must contain photographs from at least three different years, and a minimum of six photographs must have been shot in 2024.
    • All photographs shot in 2024 that are included in the project will be eligible for the World Press Photo of the Year.

Funding Information

• Contest winners
  • Every contest winner receives:
    • A monetary prize of €1,000
    • Inclusion in the annual World Press Photo year-long worldwide exhibition
    • Inclusion in the annual collectible yearbook, available in multiple languages with a worldwide distribution of more than 30,000 copies
    • Publication in the online collection and a personal profile on World Press Photo’s website
    • Promotion on World Press Photo’s platforms
    • Invitation to the Winners’ Program in Amsterdam
    • A physical award
• World Press Photo of the Year
  • Out of the 42 winning entries, the global jury will choose the World Press Photo of the Year with two runners up. In addition to receiving their winning prize, the World Press Photo of the Year winner will also receive:
    • An additional monetary prize of €10,000
    • FUJIFILM GFX cameras and lenses that will be awarded to the Photo of the Year winner and two runners up
    • An additional physical award

Eligibility Criteria

• Entering the World Press Photo Contest is free and open to all professional photographers working in the field of photojournalism and/or documentary photography.

Guidelines

• If an entry includes photographs taken in different regions, the following guidelines apply:
  • If a majority of images are from one region, then the project will automatically be placed into the region where most photographs have been taken.
  • If there is no clear majority of photographs taken in one region, then please indicate the region that you prefer to have your entry judged in when entering your work on Picter.

Application Requirements

• Photographs entered to the Singles, Stories and Long-Term Projects must meet the following requirements:
  • Only single-frame photographs may be entered to the above-mentioned categories
  • Upload photographs with the original pixel size (unless cropped). Do not scale and do not change the resolution.
  • ICC profile must be embedded. AdobeRGB, sRGB or grayscale Gamma 2.2 are recommended. No CMYK.
  • Must be uploaded in JPEG format with high-quality compression.
• Every entrant needs to provide a document with a valid date that confirms their current professional status. Examples of documents include, but are not limited to:
  • Press card, stating you are working as a photographer;
  • At least 1 proof of publication (for example a tearsheet) from 2023 or 2024, with your name visible as credit, in either online or print format from a recognized media organization or publication;
  • Journalism union membership card;
  • Membership document from a recognized photographic association that shows the photographer is a professional member;
  • A recent letter of reference (must be from 2023 or 2024) from a photo agency, photo editor, media organization or publication, stating you have worked for them as a photographer;
  • If you are not able to provide proof that meets the above criteria, you may register with alternative (multiple) documents so that they can gain a better understanding of your professional status.
  • They do not consider proof of professional status:
    • CVs or cover letters
    • Diplomas
    • Samples of photography
  • Team entries of two or more photographers are allowed. Proof of professional status must be provided for each team member.
  • The photographer(s) must be the author(s) of the photographs submitted in their name.
  • The photographer(s), agent or representative entering on their behalf, must be the copyright holder(s) or have been authorized by the copyright holder(s) to submit the photographs.
  • Entries must comply with the categories.
  • Entries must meet the technical requirements.
  • Photographs can be submitted whether or not they have been published.
  • Photographs taken at restricted events are not accepted (i.e. events where only photographers commissioned by those organizing the event have access, for example photographers commissioned by governments, political parties or corporations).
  • All entries must have accurate captions and descriptions, written in English. If the captions have been translated, please also provide the original caption. Captions must contain all the information.
  • Each entry must include relevant additional information, such as motivation, the type of project (assignment/personal project) and funding.
  • All entries must comply with the World Press Photo code of ethics.
  • Entries can only be submitted via Picter, the official contest entry platform.

For more information, visit World Press Photo.