What if your next photo could put money in your pocket?
You don’t need a degree in photography to start earning from your photos. If you’ve ever taken a photo that made people stop and react—you’re already halfway there.
Thousands of photo contests are open right now. Some are free to enter. Others require small fees. Either way, they hand out serious prizes—sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
If you love snapping pictures and want to earn from it, here’s where to start.
How Photo Contests Make You Money
Photo contests give everyday photographers a chance to get paid for their work. Often, all it takes is a single picture. Cash prizes can range from $50 to over $10,000 depending on the contest.
These aren’t just for professionals. Many contests welcome beginners, amateurs, and photography hobbyists.
Here’s what you can win:
- Cash prizes (sometimes into five figures)
- Gift cards or gear
- Exposure (your photo featured in magazines or online galleries)
- Potential contracts or freelance offers
Some contests offer multiple categories—nature, portrait, abstract, travel, or smartphone photography. So, there’s always something that fits your style.
Best Places to Find Photo Contests
The hardest part isn’t taking the photo. It’s finding the right contests to enter. Here’s where to look:
1. ViewBug
ViewBug is one of the largest online photography contest platforms. It runs dozens of contests at once. Some are free. Others need a premium membership.
The platform caters to all skill levels. Prizes range from $100 to several thousand dollars. Categories change often and include wildlife, black and white, street photography, and more.
Why it works: You can enter multiple contests at once—and many have low competition.
2. GuruShots
GuruShots offers a mix of contests, a gaming-style platform, and social interaction. You earn points and badges by participating, getting voted on, and leveling up your rank.
It’s free to create an account. Some access levels give you more entries and boost visibility.
Prizes include cash, camera gear, and exhibition spots in galleries.
Standout Feature: You get feedback and votes from other users almost instantly, making it fun and competitive.
3. Smithsonian Photo Contest
Organized by the Smithsonian Institution, this annual contest offers big rewards. Entry is free. Cash prizes go up to $2,500 for the Grand Prize, with several category winners earning $500 each.
Categories include:
- People
- Travel
- Mobile
- Natural World
- Altered Images
- American Experience
Key Advantage: Win here, and your work lands in front of a prestigious audience.
4. National Geographic’s “Your Shot”
This community-run platform lets photographers join themed assignments. Outstanding photos may get published in National Geographic or on their website.
While they’ve shifted from a contest-first structure, top photos still win recognition, and some assignments offer prizes or publication.
Why it matters: Credibility. Saying you were featured by National Geographic adds instant trust to your portfolio.
5. International Photography Awards (IPA)
IPA awards thousands in cash prizes each year across professional, amateur, and student categories. Entry fees apply (starting around $35), but payouts can be massive—up to $10,000 for the International Photographer of the Year.
Sometimes just being a finalist boosts your visibility for galleries and photo agencies.
If you’re serious: This is one of the top-tier global photography contests out there.
6. The Audubon Photography Awards
Love photographing birds or wildlife? This annual contest focuses on avian subjects. It’s hosted by the National Audubon Society and offers thousands in cash prizes up to $5,000.
It’s free for youth entrants and a modest $15 per submission for adults. They also have an amateur category.
Good choice if: You have strong nature shots or live near wildlife areas.
7. Nikon Photo Contests
This global contest is backed by Nikon. Submission categories vary, but include both still images and short films. Entry is free. Winners earn international exposure and considerable cash or gear prizes.
Caution: Only open on specific cycles every couple of years, so watch their website for updates.
8. The Photocrowd Platform
Photocrowd hosts contests judged by both expert photographers and the community. You can choose free or paid competitions. Each contest focuses on a certain theme, like architecture, landscape, macro, or candid moments.
Winning entries often receive exposure, gear, or cash up to several hundred dollars.
What makes it different: You get constructive comments and have two chances to win—judged and crowd-voted entries.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Winning
You can’t control the competition—but you can improve your odds. Here’s how:
Study Previous Winners
Before submitting, look at past winning entries. Understand what judges like. Are the photos emotional, balanced, minimalistic, or full of contrast?
Mimic the style—not the subject.
Stick to the Theme
Plenty of good submissions miss out because they ignore the theme or rules. Read the guidelines. Twice.
If a contest is for “Winter Landscapes” and your photo shows fall foliage, it won’t qualify—even if it’s stunning.
Use a Quality Camera if Possible
Smartphone pictures can win. But higher-resolution photos from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras do give you an edge, especially in technical contests.
If you don’t have a camera, borrow one or invest in a second-hand model. Even a used Canon Rebel or Nikon D3300 can deliver sharp, contest-worthy shots.
Edit Smart, Not Excessive
Post-processing can lift a photo’s quality—but overdoing it can hurt your chances. Judges spot over-edited images quickly.
Adjust the basics: brightness, contrast, sharpness, maybe crop. But avoid extreme color manipulation unless the contest encourages it.
Submit with Purpose
Don’t just shoot and upload. Take time to select your best work. If the contest allows multiple entries, vary your style and subjects.
Your strongest photo should show emotion, tell a story, and have good composition.
Follow Copyright and Model Guidelines
If your photo includes people, get a model release. Especially when entering professional contests. Know your rights and the contest’s usage rules.
Many contests ask to display your photo. Make sure you’re comfortable with that before submitting.
Track Your Submissions
Use a spreadsheet or notes app to keep track of where and what you’ve submitted. Include the contest name, entry date, theme, and outcome.
This helps you avoid repeating entries or missing deadlines.
How Often Are Contests Open
Photo contests run all year. Some are seasonal. Others recur monthly or annually. Signing up for newsletters from platforms like ViewBug, Photocrowd, and GuruShots helps you stay current.
Set reminders so you never miss closing dates. Some contests only last ten days.
Do Entry Fees Pay Off?
Free contests are great for starting out. But don’t dismiss contests with a fee immediately.
If a $10 contest gives you a 1-in-1000 chance to win $500—and your photo is solid—that’s a decent tradeoff. Especially as some photos can be reused for other contests.
Serious photographers treat entry fees like marketing costs. You pay to get seen, appreciated, and possibly hired later.
Stories of Everyday Winners
One woman posted a photo of her backyard maple tree to ViewBug. She won $500 and gained over 2,000 new followers on Instagram.
An amateur birdwatcher entered the Audubon Youth Division with a simple smartphone shot. He took home $1,000—and his photo appeared in a national magazine.
Another user entered three contests in one week through GuruShots. One led to a mini-exhibit in Berlin. From that, he booked two paid brand shoots in his city.
Your phone might already have images worth submitting. Scroll through them. See what fits.
Is This a Side Hustle or Just Exposure?
Photo contests can pay real money. But winning isn’t guaranteed. Where contests shine is in exposure and online clout—especially on platforms like Instagram or Behance.
Use contest wins in your bio or pitches when applying for freelance gigs or collaborations.
It builds trust and shows you’re serious—even if photography isn’t your main income stream.
Getting Started Now
Find 5 to 10 photo contests that fit your style. Choose a mix of entry fees. Submit your best photos over the next 30 days.
Make it a weekend project to curate and enter contests. You might passively grow an income stream from something you already love to do.
One click could lead to cash, clients, or global recognition.
