The Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest 2024, now in its 22nd edition, is an internationally recognized competition that seeks to celebrate the power of photography to capture the world’s beauty and cultural diversity. Organized by Smithsonian Magazine, this prestigious contest invites photographers from around the globe to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and storytelling abilities. The contest is structured around six key categories: Natural World, Travel, People, The American Experience, Artistic Images, and Drone/Aerial. Each category is designed to highlight different aspects of life, from breathtaking landscapes and wildlife to portraits, creative compositions, and aerial photography.
Participants can submit up to 15 photos per category, with a total of 90 possible submissions. All entries must have been taken since January 1, 2021, ensuring that the contest focuses on recent work that reflects the evolving trends and innovations in photography. The submissions will be judged on multiple criteria, including creativity, originality, quality, and the overall impact of the image. This format offers photographers the chance to exhibit their unique perspectives and technical proficiency across a wide range of subject matter, making it one of the most inclusive and diverse photo contests globally.
The Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest has built a strong reputation for not only providing substantial financial rewards but also offering significant exposure for the participants. Winners from each category, along with the Grand Prize and Readers’ Choice winners, will have their work featured on the Smithsonian website, reaching a global audience. The contest is entirely free to enter, making it accessible to both amateur and professional photographers who are 18 years or older. As one of the most esteemed photography contests, it continues to attract thousands of entries, offering a platform for emerging and seasoned photographers alike.
There is no entry fee.
Eligibility
Open worldwide to photographers aged 18 and over.
Prize
The competition offers several awards, including a Grand Prize of $2,500. Each of the six category winners will receive $500, and there is also a Readers’ Choice prize worth $500. In total, eight awards will be given. Winners will be featured on the Smithsonian website, with the finalists and category winners revealed in spring 2025.
