The Independent Photographer
is a monthly photography award
& online magazine
To support photographers, each month we are offering 10 FREE ENTRIES to the competition.
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Celebrating photography & supporting emerging artists
Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure
This September, we’re challenging you to capture powerful and inspiring urban stories. Acclaimed Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden will be judging the entries, and we’re excited to see your most compelling images.
- Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
- International Exhibition
- +920k Instagram Feature
- Free Online Portfolio
Profile • Street
Bruce Gilden
Judge of our 2025 Street Photography Award (open for entries until September 30), Magnum Photographer Bruce Gilden stands as one of photography's most important contemporary figures, celebrated for his raw and powerful portrayals of life on the city streets.
MAGAZINE
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Profile • Travel
Jody MacDonald
Few contemporary figures embody the spirit of adventure and travel photography quite like Jody MacDonald. With rare intrepidity and considerable skill, she…
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Top 10 • Documentary
Top 10 photography documentaries
Over the years, filmmakers, writers, and directors have focused their attention on those fascinating and often enigmatic individuals who have helped shape…
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Profile • Travel
F. Dilek Yurdakul
F. Dilek Yurdakul is a Turkish photographer known for her striking, emotionally resonant images that reveal both the beauty and complexity of…
Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure
This September, we’re challenging you to capture powerful and inspiring urban stories. Acclaimed Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden will be judging the entries, and we’re excited to see your most compelling images.
- Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
- International Exhibition
- +920k Instagram Feature
- Free Online Portfolio
Past Judges
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Fiona Shields
Fiona Shields is Head of Photography for The Guardian News and Media Group. With more than two decades of experience, she has delivered talks, mentored photojournalism students, and served as judge of numerous awards and competitions.
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Steve McCurry
Celebrated as one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography, American photographer Steve McCurry has created a unique collection of work featuring some of the most famous images of our time.
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Alessia Glaviano
Based in Milan, Alessia Glaviano is the Brand Visual Director of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. She is responsible for Photo Vogue and was a 2015 World Press Photo jury member.
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Ed Kashi
Represented by the prestigious VII agency, Ed Kashi is an acclaimed photojournalist and educator who uses photography to explore geopolitical and social issues that define our times.
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Maggie Steber
A celebrated figure in the photographic community, Maggie Steber works for National Geographic and is part of the renowned VII Photo Agency. She has earned prestigious honors, including the Leica Medal of Excellence, the World Press Foundation Award & a Pulitzer prize.
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REZA
Founder of Webistan Photo Agency and Explorer of National Geographic, internationally acclaimed Iranian-French photojournalist Reza is a three-times world press winning photographer and recipient of the ICP Infinity Award.
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Carol Körting
Carol Körting is a professional portfolio reviewer and the photo editor of the renowned Leica Fotografie International Magazine (LFI) and its online platform, producing and editing countless photographic projects since 2011.
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Nikos Economopoulos
Member of Magnum Photos since 1990, Nikos Economopoulos has published several monographs and his iconic images have been published and exhibited worldwide. Economopoulos regularly teach and work around the world, in the context of his long-term On The Road project.
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Magdalena Herrera
Magdalena Herrera has worked in books, print, and magazines, spending ten years as head of the photo department at National Geographic before joining Geo France as Director of Photography. She was the chair of the 2018 World Press Photo contest.
Competition winners
Winner Alain Mouton
Previous winners:
Upcoming Awards
Each month, photographers submit images to a themed competition judged by an acclaimed artist.
STREET – September 2025
OPEN CALL – October 2025
LANDSCAPE – November 2025
PEOPLE – December 2025
BLACK & WHITE – January 2026
VISUAL STORY – February 2026
STREET – March 2026
COLOR – April 2026
PORTRAIT – May 2026
BLACK & WHITE – June 2026
TRAVEL – July/August 2026
A unique chance to
gain widespread exposure!
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$ 32.000
Cash Prizes -
International
Exhibition
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Free
Portfolio -
Global
Exposure -
Professional
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