The Top 50 Photo Contests for 2012

The end of the year means a lot to many people, but one thing that comes to my mind around this time of year are the many photo contests that are ending or about to end their submissions deadlines.

For a photographer, the best exposure comes not from your own mouth, but from others talking about your work.  Photo contests are one of the best ways to get people talking about you and your work but sometimes these photo competitions are hard to find.  This year, I want to share what I believe are some of the top photo contests around the world.  Don't waste any time as some of these contest entry deadlines are fast approaching and the prizes are quite amazing.  Some of the prizes up for grabs include 2 first class airline tickets, photo gear, cash, exhibits and more.  There seems to be a contest for every type of photographer as well, ranging from teen contests to women only photographers contest, bird photography, sports, B&W, food and more.

This is the time for you to shine by showing your best photography work to the world.  Good luck!

                                           The Top 50 Photo Contests for 2012

Google Photography Prize

http://www.google.com/landing/photographyprize/index.html

Enter by January 31, 2012

The 155^th International Print Exhibiton 2012

http://www.rps.org/international-print-exhibition

Enter by March 21, 2012

PDN Photo Annual

http://www.pdnphotoannual.com/

Enter by January 25, 2012

The Open Photo Contest

http://www.theworldopen.com/about-open

Enter by March 31, 2012

Prize:  $50,000 up for grabs

World Press Photo Contest

http://submit.worldpressphoto.org/

Enter by January 6, 2012 (Central European Time)

Photography Masters Cup

http://www.thecolorawards.com/index.php

Enter by May 25, 2012

The Professional Photographer of the Year Awards 2011

http://bit.ly/nw0xtK

Enter by January 27, 2012

Sony World Photography Awards 2012

http://worldphoto.org/competitions/

Enter by January 4^th, 2012

The Black & White Spider Awards

http://www.thespiderawards.com/

Now Open for Entries

International Street Photography Award

http://bit.ly/sKxYVp

Enter by January 5^th, 2012

The Emergent Artist Award

http://emergentartistaward.com/Default.aspx

Enter by December 31, 2011

Food Photographer of the Year 2012

http://bit.ly/rKb9jJ

Enter by January 31^st, 2012

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

http://bit.ly/a4FjtA

Enter by February 23^rd, 2012

2012 Kellicutt International Juried Photo Contest

http://bit.ly/tcMmhz

Enter by February 29^th, 2012

Nikon Small World Competition

http://www.nikonsmallworld.com/

Enter by April 30, 2012

APO Productivity Photo Contest 2012

http://bit.ly/oGYk50

Enter by February 29, 2012

Canadian International Digital Photography Awards (CIDPA)

http://photographyaward.org/

Enter by January 3, 2012

Alaska Airlines Photo Contest

http://www.paradigmcg.com/2012_Photo_Contest.pdf

Enter by February 15, 2012

Red Bull Illume Sport Photo Contest

http://www.redbullillume.com/

TBD

Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers

http://bit.ly/tlXVIb

Enter by December 30^th, 2011

2012 San Francisco International Photography Competition

http://galleryphotographica.com/

Enter by January 20, 2012

Professional Women Photographers Juried Photography Competition

http://pwponline.org/page.php?page=index

Enter by January 31, 2012

Ceres Gallery 10^th National Juried Exhibition ( Fine Art)

Juror:  Samantha Rippner- Curator Metropolitan Museum of Art – NYC

http://ceresgallery.org

Enter by February 15, 2012

Beyond Memory (Italy)

http://www.celesteprize.com/

Enter by February 29, 2012

Black & White Alternative Photographic Processes

http://rangefinderalternative.com/

Enter by January 1, 2012

The Human Form Photo Contest

http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex24

Enter by December 28, 2011

Exposure  - A Competition Celebrating the Power of Image

http://www.artistswanted.org/exposure/?f=pp_pcn2

Enter by December 20, 2011

GRAND PRIZE- $10,000 cash grant

Nature’s Best Photography Picture Of The Week

http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/enter_othercompetitions.php

Ongoing

KL International Photo Awards 2012

http://www.klphotoawards.com/

Enter by March 31, 2012

Photographers Giving Back Award

http://www.thepgbphotoaward.com/home/

Enter by January 25, 2012

Animals Photographic Contest

http://lafango.com/contests/photography-animals

Enter by February 22, 2012

LENS 2012 International Juried Photography Exhibition (Fine Art Photography)

http://perspectivegallery.org/lens-2012

Enter by January 15, 2012

Digital Photo Pro 2^nd Annual Photo Of The Year

http://bit.ly/sbxwXP

Enter by January 3, 2012

Fellowship 12 International Photography Competition

http://bit.ly/thPPgF

Enter by January 15, 2012

MPA Wedding & Portrait Awards 2012 (UK)

http://bit.ly/jsy2Jx

Enter by May 18, 2012

Better Photography Photographer of the Year 2011

http://betterphotography.in/poy/

Enter by December 10, 2011

The 2012 Macquarie Photography Prize

http://bit.ly/uYzBpr

Enter by May 24, 2012

2011 Gardens in Focus Photography Competition

http://gardensinfocus.com.au/

Enter by December 10, 2011

International Photography Art Competition

http://www.showartists.com/magzine/41

Enter by October 30, 2012

Chromania

http://www.minispace.com/en_us/background/17/

Enter by January 31, 2012

Prize:  iPhone 4s

Joys of Travel Photo Contest

http://www.kutoatravel.com/Giveaway/

Enter by December 31, 2011

Prize:  Choice of Fantastic Holiday

PDN Top Knots Contest

http://topknotscontest.com/index.shtml

Enter by January 11, 2012

Red for Heart Photography Competition (UK)

http://bit.ly/idGHaX

Enter by January 6, 2012

1^st Annual International Teen Photo Photography Contest

http://teenagephotographer.com/highschoolphotocontest/

Enter by December 31, 2011

Birds As Art 1^st International Bird Photo Competition

http://www.birdsasart.com/competition/

Enter by March 31, 2012

5^th Annual Emerging Pro Photo Competition

http://www.digitalphotopro.com/5th-annual-emerging-pro.html

Enter by December 20, 2011

Donkey Art Prize II

http://www.donkeyartprize.com/

Enter by February 15, 2012

2012 Charlatan Ink Art Prize for the VISUAL ARTS

http://www.charlatanink.com/artprize/rules2012.html

Enter by February 29, 2012

National Geographic Your Shot

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/your-shot

Ongoing

2012 International Art Competition and Exhibition

http://bit.ly/cAIZ7v

Enter by January 2, 2012

Prize:  Trip to Japan