Resources

Full List of Competitions for Elopement, Wedding and Portrait Photographers

April 18, 2024

The complete up to date list of competition deadlines for wedding, elopement and portrait photographers.

There are so many competitions for portrait, wedding and elopement photographers, it can be hard to keep track! Here is a complete list of competitions, their approximate costs and deadlines for 2026.

Elopement Photography Award Competitions

Elopement Legend Awards – The only elopement photography competition worldwide!
Awards run quarterly, pay per round to submit: $19usd to submit up to 5 images or $70/year for membership including entry to all four rounds.
2026 Submission deadlines are:
February 28, 2026 – CLOSED
May 30, 2026
August 31, 2026
November 30, 2026

Wedding Photography Competitions

Fearless Photographers: The most prestigious wedding photography competition.
Subscription based: $120usd/year and you can submit up to 12 images in each of the 6 annual rounds.
WPJA – Wedding Photojournalists Association: Has many categories for awards including engagements, photojournalism, artistic guild, and more. Subscription based: $75usd for 5 months. Engagement Photo competitions are monthly, Journalism and Artistic Guild Competition deadlines vary but generally run 4 times a year.
WBWP – World’s Best Wedding Photos: Membership based competition, you must apply and be accepted to submit.
Flash Masters: A wedding and portrait competition focused on excellent use of flash. Subscription based, $197/year, then submit 10 images in each of their 6 rounds per year.
ISOPWP – International society of professional wedding photographers: You must apply to be a member to be accepted, then $99usd/year. Then you can submit 15 images 4 times a year.
This is Reportage: – A photojournalistic wedding photography competition. Subscription based at $100eu/year, offering single image and 20-image story awards.
Junebug Weddings Best of the Best – an annual round for wedding and engagement photos.
Rangefinder Rising Stars – A portfolio review award for photographers who have been pro 5 years or less. You must be nominated by someone other than yourself.
IWPOTY – International Wedding Photographer of the Year – Actually gives out cash prizes to winners. $10 to $30 per image to enter in multiple categories.
Icon Awards at WPPI – A global competition and print competition with engagement, wedding, and portrait photography categories. $30 Per image to enter.
Inspiration Awards – Membership must be accepted before you can submit.

Photography Competitions for Portrait, Birth & Family Photographers

Portfolio Reviews and Print Competitions:

Wedding Professional Photographers Institute (WPPI) – An annual photographers conference in Las Vegas, NV. Next Conference Dates: unknown
Check your local photo club, town, or county

Check out Photo Competition Deadlines for more info about deadlines.

Elopement Photography Awards