Enter Now: Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025 Offers $35,000 in Prizes

The prestigious Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) competition for 2025 is now open for entries, inviting amateur photographers worldwide to showcase their skills and compete for over $35,000 (£26,000) in prizes. The competition, which includes ten rounds, is designed for photography enthusiasts who wish to demonstrate their talent and creativity.

One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s competition is the inclusion of the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year category, which is free to enter and specifically aimed at photographers aged 21 and under. The tenth and final round of the contest is currently accepting submissions, with an open theme that allows participants to present their best works without restriction.

Entries for the OPEN round will be accepted until February 2, 2026. This round encourages photographers to submit images of any subject matter, ranging from still lifes and landscapes to abstract works and portraits. The flexibility of the theme aims to inspire creativity, allowing photographers to showcase their unique perspectives.

Exciting Prizes and Sponsorship

This year, the competition welcomes back Camera Centre UK as its headline sponsor, alongside other notable partners such as DxO, Bob Books, The School of Photography, and ViewSonic. Each round winner will receive a voucher worth £500 to spend at Camera Centre UK, as well as licenses for DxO PhotoLab and FilmPack valued at £340. Additionally, winners will receive a £50 voucher for Bob Books and a one-year subscription to The School of Photography, worth £120.

The grand prize winner, determined after all ten rounds, will take home a £1,000 voucher for Camera Centre UK and a £100 voucher for Bob Books. Runners-up in each round will also be rewarded, receiving a DxO Nik Collection license valued at £146 and a £25 voucher for Bob Books.

Judging and Entry Details

The competition will be judged by a combination of experts from Amateur Photographer magazine and guest judges, including notable photographers Maria Falconer and Ben Brain. Falconer, a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, is known for her workshops across Europe, while Brain has extensive experience as a photographer and judge in various contests.

Photographers may enter up to five images in each of the ten rounds, with a maximum of four images allowed per round without a unique entry code published in the magazine. Entry fees are structured to accommodate various budgets, with options available for those wishing to submit multiple images.

The Young Amateur Photographer of the Year category allows participants up to four free entries per round, making it an accessible platform for emerging talent. All entries are subject to review by a panel of photography experts, ensuring a high standard of evaluation.

As the competition progresses, aspiring photographers are encouraged to explore the resources provided to enhance their submissions, including guides on topics such as night photography and fine art techniques.

For those looking to make their mark in the photographic community, the Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025 competition represents a significant opportunity to gain recognition and potentially win valuable prizes. Interested photographers can enter the competition by visiting the official website and submitting their best works before the closing date of February 2, 2026.