PHOTO CONTESTS AND JURIED EXHIBITIONS

The Identity 2025 International Photography Exhibition is an open call hosted by the Glasgow Gallery of Photography. It invites photographers from around the world to explore the theme of identity, which can include personal, cultural, religious, national, and global identities, as well as expressions through hobbies, sports, and more. The submission deadline is May 23, 2025, and there is no fee to submit work. However, selected participants will need to pay a £48 participation fee. The exhibition will take place in October 2025, and up to 8 images can be submitted per participant. Photographers retain copyright of their work, though the gallery may use the images for promotional purposes. Selected works will be displayed in a month-long physical exhibition at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography. Additionally, an online gallery will feature the chosen works on the gallery's website. All participants whose work is selected will receive a digital certificate of participation. They will also be considered for the Photographer of the Month award. For further details and to submit your work, visit the official exhibition page on the Glasgow Gallery of Photography website.

The Ethereal 2025 International Photography Exhibition is an open call hosted by the Glasgow Gallery of Photography. It invites photographers from around the world to submit work that explores ethereal, dreamlike, and surreal representations of reality. This could include images that convey a sense of mystery, transcendence, or otherworldly beauty through elements like soft lighting, ghostly figures, atmospheric landscapes, or abstract compositions. The submission deadline is May 23, 2025, and there is an entry fee for submission. The exhibition will be held in October 2025, and participants can submit up to 8 images. Photographers retain copyright of their work, although the gallery may use the images for promotional purposes. Selected works will be displayed in a month-long physical exhibition at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography. In addition, an online gallery will feature the selected works on the gallery's website. All selected participants will receive a digital certificate of participation. They will also be considered for the Photographer of the Month award. For more information and to submit your work, visit the official exhibition page on the Glasgow Gallery of Photography website.

The Photometria Awards Open Call 2025 invites photographers to submit work inspired by the theme "Non Stop Pop." The competition encourages participants to explore how pop culture influences identity, consumption patterns, and social media dynamics in contemporary society. The submission deadline is May 31, 2025, and there is an entry fee. The competition is open to both professional and amateur photographers. Participants are asked to submit original photographs that interpret the theme of "Non Stop Pop." Prizes for the competition include a Nikon Z 30 camera and Nikkor Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR lens for the 1st place winner. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive signed photo albums by Alec Soth. The top three winners will also have the opportunity to showcase their work in a solo exhibition at the next Photometria event. This competition encourages participants to critically engage with the pervasive influence of pop culture imagery and its impact on modern life. For more information and to submit your work, visit the official Photometria Awards page.

The Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival invites artists to submit work inspired by the theme "Civilizations - A Journey Through Time and Culture." The festival encourages participants to reflect on how human societies have evolved, from ancient traditions to modern innovations. It explores how civilizations shape collective identity and influence both the present and the future. The submission deadline for artists is May 31, 2025, and there is no entry fee. The open call is open to local, regional, and international artists, including both emerging and established creators. The festival accepts work in visual arts, photography, sculpture, and student art. The festival will take place from January 16 to February 15, 2026, at the Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. The event is expected to attract over 45,000 visitors and is organized by the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research. Prizes for the competition include 5,000 AED and a trophy for the 1st place winner in visual arts, photography, sculpture, and installation, with the 2nd place winner receiving 2,500 AED and a trophy. The 1st place winner in the student art category will receive 2,000 AED and a trophy, while the 2nd place winner will receive 1,500 AED and a trophy. Artists will retain full copyright of their submitted and exhibited works. For more information and to submit your work, visit the official Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival page.

The PhotoVogue Global Open Call 2025, titled Women by Women, invites women photographers and videomakers from around the world to submit work that explores and redefines how women see and are seen. The open call celebrates diverse perspectives and self-determined narratives across all genres, including fashion, documentary, portraiture, fine art, and more. Its aim is to highlight visual storytelling as a powerful tool for representation, empowerment, and change. The submission deadline is June 1, 2025, and there is no entry fee. The open call is open to all women and those who identify with womanhood, aged 18 and above. Accepted mediums include photography, video, and multimedia projects. The Outstanding Vision Grant offers $6,000 for an artist pushing creative boundaries, while the Vision Grant provides $4,000 for an artist with a compelling perspective. The Rising Voice Grant awards $2,000 to an emerging artist showing originality and promise. A jury of Vogue editors and visual experts will review submissions to ensure inclusivity and representation. Selected artists will have opportunities for international exposure and will contribute to an important conversation about women's representation in visual culture. For more information and to submit your work, visit the official submission page.