Head On Photo Awards 2025

About the Open Call

Since 2004, Head On has supported photographers worldwide, awarding over $930,000 in cash and prizes. The Head On Photo Awards 2025 represents a global selection of the best work from emerging and established photographers. The three categories are Portrait, Landscape, and Exposure. The Portrait category focuses on images featuring or reflecting the essence of a person or group, including self-portraits and collages. The Landscape category broadly covers natural environments, urban, or industrial settings, with people being incidental. The Exposure category invites creative submissions of any genre, style, technique, or medium beyond portrait and landscape. Finalists' works are exhibited in print and online as part of the Head On Photo Festival 2025, and semi-finalists are featured in a digital exhibition. All finalists are included in the Head On Photo Awards 2025 hard-cover catalogue and receive a dedicated webpage.

What is Offered

The Head On Photo Awards offer an $80,000 prize pool, including $15,000 in cash. Winners receive cash prizes, camera kits (OM-1 Mark II + various lenses), and a 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps subscription. All finalists have their work exhibited in print and online at the Head On Photo Festival 2025, are included in the hard-cover catalogue, receive a dedicated webpage, and benefit from Head On pursuing further exhibition/publication opportunities. Semi-finalists are featured in a rolling slideshow at a major festival venue.

Requirements

The Head On Portrait, Landscape, and Exposure Awards are open INTERNATIONALLY to photographers of all levels. Entrants for the 'Under 25' discount must be under 25 years old on 27 July 2025. Images of all styles and genres are eligible as long as they are true to the spirit of the category. While there are no restrictions on when a photo was taken, recent work is preferred. Work is judged anonymously.

How to Apply

Applicants can enter online via the Head On Photo Awards submission portal. Specific entry links are provided for General entry, Festival Friends, and Under 25 categories. Payment can be made by credit card via the Stripe gateway.