The Jalón Ángel Photography Prize 2026 is an international photography competition organised by the Jalón Ángel Photographic Archive, a cultural and documentary institution safeguarded by San Jorge University and the San Valero Group in Spain. Now in its 12th edition, the award honours the legacy of Ángel Hilario García de Jalón Hueto (Jalón Ángel, 1898–1976), recognising the power of photography as a visual language capable of preserving memory, capturing emotion, and documenting social and cultural realities. Designed for both emerging and established photographers, the contest promotes high-quality contemporary photography and encourages the submission of impactful images that combine artistic merit with strong storytelling.
The 2026 edition features three main categories: Portrait, Travel, and a special theme titled Migration and borders. Each category is structured to highlight different approaches to photographic creation, from character-driven portrait photography and documentary-style travel photography to socially engaged visual narratives about movement, identity, and the challenges of crossing borders. Participants may submit up to one photograph per category through the official online entry form, ensuring that each image represents a carefully selected work with clear technical and conceptual intention. This structure makes the Jalón Ángel Photography Awards a focused, competitive, and highly visible platform for outstanding photographic work.
As a well-established European photography prize with international reach, the Jalón Ángel Photography Awards continues to strengthen its role as a reference point for creative excellence and documentary relevance. The award not only celebrates photographic talent but also supports cultural dissemination by creating opportunities for winning and selected photographs to be showcased through exhibitions and public visibility initiatives. With its combination of respected institutional backing, a clearly defined thematic scope, and global participation, the Jalón Ángel Photography Prize 2026 stands out as a valuable opportunity for photographers seeking recognition, credibility, and professional exposure in the international photography scene.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open worldwide to any photographer of legal age / over 18 submitting an original photograph.
Prize
The competition awards €1,500 to the winner in each of the three categories (Portrait, Travel, and Migration and borders), and winners also receive an emblematic trophy and a diploma; the organisers may also grant mentions, and an exhibition may be organised including winning and selected finalist/mentioned works.
