Frequently Asked Questions

Women Photography Awards is open to female photographers of all experience levels, amateur and professional alike, from anywhere in the world. Entrants must be at least 18 years old. Staff members of Women Photography Awards, employees of affiliated companies, and representatives of sponsoring organizations are not eligible to enter.

For the purposes of the Women Photography Awards, we follow internationally recognized approaches to gender identity. A woman is a person who identifies as a woman. This approach is consistent with terminology used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), which recognize gender identity as an individual’s deeply felt experience of gender and distinguish it from sex assigned at birth.

The Women Photography Awards features 10 categories: Abstract, Architecture, Documentary, Fine Art, Landscape, Open Theme, Pets, Portrait, Street, and Wedding. You are welcome to submit entries into any single category or across multiple categories.

No. The Women Photography Awards accepts single images only. Photo series, stories, or collections are not accepted. Each submitted image is evaluated and judged individually.

There is no limit on the number of images you can submit. Each image is treated as a separate entry and requires its own entry fee. You may also enter the same image across multiple categories.

Yes. Images may be captured using any medium — digital camera, film, or mobile device. There are no restrictions on the equipment used to create your work.

Fully AI-generated images are not accepted. AI-assisted images are permitted only when a real photograph is a fundamental part of the final composition. The submitted work must remain rooted in photography, rather than being created entirely through AI.

No. There are no date restrictions on when submitted images were originally captured. You may enter recent work or images from your archive.

Yes. Images that have been recognized or awarded in other competitions are eligible for entry. The Women Photography Awards places no restrictions on prior competition history.

No. Once payment has been processed, categories cannot be modified, added, or removed. Please review your selection carefully before completing your submission.

During the Early Bird period (until 3 September 2026), a single image entry costs €20. Each additional category for the same image is €10. After the Early Bird period, fees increase to €25 per single image and €15 per additional category. A discount is automatically applied when submitting one entry across three or more categories.

Entry fees can be paid via PayPal or credit/debit card through the competition portal.

Entry fees are non-refundable once payment has been processed. Please ensure all details are correct before completing your submission.

Images must be submitted as JPG files (high compression), 72 dpi, with a maximum of 1,600 pixels on the longest side and no larger than 3MB per file. Physical prints are not accepted under any circumstances.

No. All judging is done anonymously. Images must not contain signatures, watermarks, stamps, borders, frames, mattes, or any identifying elements. You must also not include your name, website, or social media handles in the title or description of your entry.

Yes. Winners will be required to supply a high-resolution file of at least 3000px on the longest side at 300dpi for use in the Women Photography Awards Annual Book and as proof of authorship. Failure to provide this file will result in disqualification with no right of appeal.

First, ensure your file meets the required specifications — JPG format, maximum 1,600px on the longest side, and no larger than 3MB. If the issue persists, please reach out to us via the Contact page and our team will assist you as soon as possible.

All entries are evaluated anonymously by a panel of nominated photography professionals. Images are assessed on a category-by-category basis, with winners determined by the highest individual score achieved. All judging decisions are final and binding.

Winners will be announced five weeks following the close of the submission period (Final Deadline: 18 Novemeber 2026). All winners and honorable mentions will be published on the Women Photography Awards website.

The Overall Winner receives a €1,000 cash prize, publication in the online winners gallery, a feature in the annual hardcover book, social media recognition, and a winners logo and certificate. Honorable Mentions receive gallery publication, annual book inclusion, social media features, and a certificate.

Yes. All copyright and intellectual property rights remain exclusively with the photographer at all times. Any image featured or published by Women Photography Awards will always include your credit as the photographer.

By entering, you grant Women Photography Awards the right to use submitted images for promotional and marketing purposes — including exhibitions, print materials, and digital media directly connected to the competition — without financial compensation. Usage may also extend to publications by WPA media partners. Your photographer credit will always be included.