World Street Photo Awards 2026

Unseen Imaging has opened submissions for the World Street Photo Awards 2026.

The international competition invites photographers from around the world to participate with street photography that captures real, candid moments of life in public space.

The best works will be awarded with cash prizes, certificates and international exposure. The total prize pool is €2,500.

The competition is open to photographers of all levels – professional, amateur, emerging talents and students. Participation is international.

There is no limit to the number of photographs or categories that may be submitted. Each photograph is judged individually.

The 2026 edition lists 20 categories:

• Reflection – moments mirrored on surfaces.
• Weather – scenes including rain, snow, heat, storms, clouds or other elements of weather.
• Geometry – shapes, lines, angles and architectural forms.
• Black and White – monochromatic works.
• Color – works defined by colour.
• Silhouette – subjects revealed by shape alone.
• Light & Shadow – scenes where light and shadow collide.
• Movement & Motion – still images conveying movement and energy.
• Transport – people in transit on subways, trams, buses, taxis, bikes and more.
• The Decisive Moment – candid moments when elements align.
• Minimalism – clean compositions with few elements.
• Night & Low Light – street scenes in low light.
• Cinematic Streets – story-driven frames with atmospheric lighting.
• Abstract & Surrealism – unexpected angles and dreamlike compositions.
• Juxtaposition – visual relationships and chance alignments.
• Layers – complex scenes with multiple visual planes or narratives.
• Details – gestures, textures, objects and fleeting details of urban life.
• Animals – animals in the urban landscape.
• Mobile Phone Photography – moments captured on a mobile phone.
• Open Theme – any style or story of street photography.

The same photograph may be entered in multiple categories where it meets the criteria. Each additional category receives independent jury consideration.

Submitted works must have been taken in public space and must be candid, unposed and not staged. Images created with artificial intelligence are not permitted. AI-powered editing tools such as noise reduction or masking are allowed, provided the image originates from a real photograph. Previously awarded or published photographs are eligible, provided the entrant retains full copyright. Entrants retain copyright in their photographs.

The World Street Photo Awards presents itself as a global platform for street photography, with the aim of highlighting emerging talent and celebrating street photography as visual storytelling.

For further details, please check the official website.

World Street Photo Awards 2026 – Entry Fees

Fees are structured by volume:

• First photo – €18
• Photos 2–4 – €15 per photo
• Photos 5–10 – €13 per photo
• Photos 11+ – €10 per photo
• Each additional category for the same photograph – €12