Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about using PhotoCompetitions to find and enter photography contests.
How do you vet photography competitions?
Every competition listed on PhotoCompetitions is manually reviewed before publication. We check that the organiser is legitimate, the competition has a track record or credible backing, entry terms are clearly stated, and there are no red flags around rights grabs or hidden fees. We also verify deadlines, prize details, and entry fees directly from the official competition website.
What does the rights rating mean?
The rights rating (Excellent, Good, or Fair) indicates how photographer-friendly the competition's terms are regarding image rights. "Excellent" means the photographer retains full copyright with minimal or no usage rights transferred. "Good" means reasonable usage rights are granted (e.g. exhibition or promotional use for a limited period). "Fair" means broader rights are requested — photographers should read the terms carefully. We never list competitions that claim full ownership of submitted images.
How often is the competition data updated?
We verify each competition listing at least once per quarter. Deadlines, fees, and key details are checked against the official competition website. Each listing shows a "Verified" date so you can see when it was last confirmed. If a listing is more than 90 days old, we flag it for re-verification.
Is PhotoCompetitions free to use?
Yes, PhotoCompetitions is completely free for photographers. You can browse all listings, save competitions, set deadline reminders, and use all filtering features at no cost. We may introduce optional premium features in the future, but the core directory will always be free.
How do I submit a competition to be listed?
You can submit a competition for review using our Submit page. Provide the competition name, organiser, website, and any other details you have. Our team will review the submission, verify the details, and add it to the directory if it meets our quality standards. We aim to review submissions within one week.
Can I save competitions to review later?
Yes! Click the Save button on any competition card or detail page to bookmark it. Sign in (or create a free account) and your saved competitions are kept against your account, so they're there whichever device you browse from. You can view all your saved competitions on the Saved page.
Do you list competitions from all countries?
We list photography competitions worldwide. Our directory includes international competitions open to all photographers as well as regional competitions. We prioritise competitions that accept entries in English, but we also list notable competitions in other languages where the entry process is accessible to international photographers.
What should I watch out for when entering competitions?
The biggest risk is rights grabs — competitions that claim ownership or broad commercial rights over your images. Always read the terms and conditions carefully. Our rights rating helps you quickly identify photographer-friendly competitions. Also watch for excessive entry fees relative to prizes, unclear judging criteria, and organisers with no track record. Our Rights Guide page covers this in detail.
How can I get notified about new competitions or deadlines?
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated competition updates, deadline alerts, and rights warnings. You can also set individual deadline reminders on any competition detail page. We send a reminder before the deadline so you never miss an entry window.
Still have questions?
Check our guides or submit a competition for review.