Frequently Asked Questions

The Architecture Photography Awards are open to photographers of all backgrounds, skill levels, and nationalities – whether you’re a professional, student, emerging talent, or passionate visual storyteller.

Participants under the age of 18 must have parental consent to enter.

Early bird (10% off): May 2, 2026 (use code “earlybird2026”)

Final Deadline: July 25 2026 (Final submission is at 11:59 PM CEST)

EXTENDED Final Deadline: August 1, 2026 (Final submission is at 11:59 PM CEST)

Winners Reveal: August 22, 2026

Submission Process

All entries must be submitted through our official website. Simply create an account, choose your categories, and upload your images following the submission guidelines below.

Submission Guidelines:

•Maximum file size: 7 MB

•Accepted file format: JPEG (.jpg)

•Color profile: sRGB

•Watermarks: Not permitted

AI generated images are not accepted.

Yes – and in many cases, this is recommended.

A single image can fit different categories (for example: Minimalist, Urban, or Facade Design). Submitting to multiple categories allows your work to be evaluated in different contexts and increases its visibility among the jury.

Yes. You may submit images that have been previously awarded or published, as long as you hold full copyright and the work complies with our submission guidelines. Images currently submitted to other competitions are also eligible.

No, you can submit as many images as you like, across multiple categories. 

Yes, you retain full ownership and copyright of all submitted photographs. By entering the Architecture Photography Awards, you grant us a non-exclusive right to use your images for promotional purposes – such as displaying winning work on our website, social media, and in press or marketing materials.

Whenever your image is featured, proper credit will always be given to you as the photographer.

If you have specific concerns about how your work may be used, feel free to contact us in advance – we’re happy to discuss accommodations.

We welcome creative and diverse submissions. However, all images must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Submissions must not contain offensive, defamatory, or inappropriate content.

• You must be the copyright holder of the image, and ensure that no third-party rights are violated.

• Participants are responsible for securing any necessary permissions. The Architecture Photography Awards cannot be held liable for legal claims related to submitted content.

This is a photography competition – not a digital art contest.

Images generated entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) are not permitted and will be disqualified. Standard editing (e.g., color correction, masking, object removal) using tools like Lightroom or Photoshop is allowed, as long as the image originates from a real photograph taken with a camera.

The Architecture Photography Awards reserves the right to disqualify any entry that violates these terms. Disqualified entries may not receive a refund. 

No, there are no restrictions on when your photograph was taken. You may submit work created at any time, as long as it is your original work and complies with the competition guidelines.

Yes – if you need to make changes to your submission after uploading, please contact our team and we will assist you (before the judging process begins).

We understand that selecting and preparing images can involve multiple versions, and we’re happy to help ensure your final submission is presented exactly as intended.

Please note that all entry fees are final and non-refundable.

The Architecture Photography Awards are open to both professional and emerging photographers.

Submissions are evaluated based on the quality and impact of the image — not on professional status.

No – in fact, we recommend submitting early.

Early submissions allow you to take advantage of discounted entry fees and avoid last-minute issues. Many photographers also choose to refine and add additional entries over time.

• €20 for your first photo entry

• €10 for each additional category the same image is entered into

• 15% off all additional photo entries

If you have a promo code, you’ll be able to enter it during checkout for an extra discount.

You’re welcome to submit as many photos as you like and enter each into the categories that best represent your work.

After submission, your entry will be reviewed by our international jury.

Selected works will be featured across our platform, including online exhibitions and editorial coverage. Winners and selected photographers will be announced after the final deadline.

All submissions will be reviewed by an international jury of acclaimed industry experts. Each image will be evaluated on three key criteria: creativity, originality, and technical excellence.

Judges will score each entry on a scale of 1 to 100. The final score is the sum of all individual ratings, and the entry with the highest total score will be declared the winner.

In case of a tie, the jury will deliberate to determine the winner based on overall impact and alignment with the competition’s values.

To ensure fairness, judging is conducted anonymously. Photographer names remain hidden, and judges are not permitted to view each other’s scores or enter the competition themselves.

The winners will be announced on August 22, 2026 on the official Architecture Photography Awards website. They will also be featured across our social media channels and notified directly via email.

The total cash prize pool is €3,300.

• The Photographer of the Year will receive €1,000.

• Each category winner will receive €100.

All winners will also receive:

• An official digital certificate

• A digital badge of recognition

• Promotion through our website, newsletter, and social media channels

• Increased visibility and potential career opportunities within the photography and architecture communities

Prize payments will be made via PayPal or bank transfer. If your account is not in Euro, currency conversion fees or bank charges may apply. Please note that we can only guarantee the amount sent – not the amount received after fees.