2025 Portrait Award

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

Can you tell a story with a single glance? – in May, we invite all photographers to share portraits that narrate compelling tales, whether captured in the controlled environment of a studio, the vibrant chaos of the street, or the rich landscapes of travel.

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +870k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
ENTER COMPETITION
Deadline: May 31, 2025
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
color portrait of a young Irish traveller boy and his rooster by Bob Newman
© Bob Newman
color portrait of a young girl in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India by Ronan Buckley
© Ronan Buckley
color fashion studio portrait of man by Petra W. Barathova
© Petra W. Barathova
color portrait of nenet girl in yamal peninsula by Alessandro Malaguti
© Alessandro Malaguti
color portrait photo of mother and daughter in Tibet by Mikael Wardhana. People Award
© Mikael Wardhana
color portrait of a young boy with sky reflection by Junko Akita
© Junko Akita
color close up portrait of young girl with freckles by Elina Nova
© Elina Nova
color fashion studio portrait of a male model by Carly Zavala
© Carly Zavala
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
black and white fashion studio portrait by François-Xavier Pelissier
© François-Xavier Pelissier
Portrait of man in India by Enzo Mistretta
© Enzo Mistretta
color landscape and portrait photo of a nomadic woman in Ladakh region, India by Wasim Malik
© Wasim Malik
color portrait photo of Tibetan monk by Peter Aronson
© Peter Aronson
2025 Portrait Award
Judge
color portrait photo of photographer Luisa Dörr
Luisa Dörr

Brazilian portrait photographer

Prizes
  • 1st Prize
    $1000
  • 2nd Prize
    $600
  • 3rd Prize
    $400
  • All 7 finalists
    $100
Exhibition
  • London, United KingdomUK
Exposure
  • +870K Instagram
  • +180K Facebook


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1500 pixels (minimum on longest side).
6 MB maximum.





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  • "It was an honor to be selected as competition winner. I really appreciated the judge’s comments and the way all photographs are displayed on the website."

    Madoka Ikegami, 1st Prize, People Award

    Previous Winner Madoka Ikegami
  • "My experience with TIP has mainly been one of learning. The feedback received upon being shortlisted in the finalists and editor's picks over the years, gives valuable insight into your own work."

    Vikram Kushwah, 3rd Prize, Color Award

    Color portrait photo of Vikram Kushwah
  • "I was very impressed by the professionalism and quality of The Independent Photographer. I am excited to see the next talents from all upcoming competitions."

    Catherine Matthys, 1st Prize, Travel Award

    Previous Winner Catherine Matthys
  • “The work selected for the various themes and featured on the website is outstanding. Uploading images to the competition was very straightforward and took no time at all.”

    Gabriele Casini, 1st Prize, B&W Award

    color portrait photo of Gabriele Casini
  • "The submit process was easy and smooth. The feedback from the judge was spot on and thoughtful. On top of that, the prize money helped me to expand further my work. Thank you!"

    Alessandra D'Innella, 1st Prize, Color Award

    Submit Page - Previous Winner Alessandra D'Innella
  • “It was an honour for me to win the competition. It helps during periods when I doubt my artistry and it provided motivation to continue photographing.”

    Martina Holmberg, 1st Prize, B&W Award

    black and white portrait photo of Martina Holmberg
  • "Each competition shows a beautiful gallery of talent and work, artfully selecting worthy images in each category. The judge's honest and well-worded critique was a truly welcomed prize."

    Conrad Golovac, 3rd Prize, Emerging Talent

    Submit Page - Previous Winner Conrad Golovac
  • "It was an honor to be chosen as winner. The prize money will allow the purchase the printer & scanner that I've been wanting. This opportunity has not only given me exposure, but it has allowed me to continue to work. Thank you."

    Marcus Maddox, 1st prize, Open Call Award

    Previous Winner Marcus Maddox
  • "I am beyond grateful for this opportunity, thank you all so much for including me in your amazing platform, exhibition, book. It is extremely encouraging to say the least.”

    Giulia Savorelli, 2nd Prize, Color Award

    portrait color photograph of Giulia Savorelli
  • “This achievement is a significant milestone in my career. Winning this competition, judged by Steven McCurry, is a surreal moment that will forever be etched in my life's journey.Thank you once again for this incredible honor."

    Shyjth Onden Cheriyath, 3rd Prize, Travel Award

    color portrait photo of Shyjth Onden Cheriyath
  • "TIP provides a platform viewed by many industry experts allowing your work to be seen by all kinds of publications. Their social media promotion is excellent and their reward payment service is efficiently prompt."

    Justin Keene, 3rd Prize, Portrait Award

    portrait black and white photograph of Justin Keene
  • “I have followed The Independent Photographer for a while and have always found it to be such great inspiration, it feels incredible to be on it myself. This is all very exciting!”

    Tessla Stuckey, 1st Prize, Open Call Award

    Previous Winner Tessla Stuckey
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