ABOUT HEAD ON PHOTO AWARDS
Since 2004 we have been helping photographers all over the world to create, exhibit and inspire, awarding over $850,000 in cash and prizes.
The Head On Photo Awards represent a global selection of the best work from emerging and established photographers. In 2023 the four categories were:
Portrait | Landscape | Environmental | Student
The Head On Portrait, Landscape and Environmental Awards are open INTERNATIONALLY to photographers of all levels.
Photo awards summary
- Judged without artists’ names
- 20-40 finalists per awards category
- Prize pool including cash and products
- Printed finalists exhibitions Head On Photo Festival at no additional expense.
- Inclusion in the annual Head On Photo Awards Catalogue
“Being a finalist and exhibitor in the Head On Photo Festival, I got to connect with photographers with whom I am still in contact. Also being a finalist gets major street cred.”
Krystle Ricci – Portrait Award Finalist 2018
Exhibit with us EOI
Portrait Awards
The Head On Portrait Award (est 2004) is a prestigious photography portrait competition that is the heart of the annual Head On Photo Festival. It provides a platform for both emerging and established artists looking to push the boundaries of portraiture.
We are known for our anonymous judging process that seeks out innovative approaches that redefine the traditional portrait. Winners and finalists of the competition receive significant exposure through free public exhibitions, publications and press coverage.
The image must feature or reflect the essence of a person or group of people and must be photographed by the Applicant. Group portraits, self-portraits and collages are accepted. We encourage all photographic styles and interpretations of photographic portraiture.
See the 2023 Head On Portrait Awards finalists.
See more: 15 portrait photographers you should know and 14 most influential portrait photographers
Landscape Awards
Our approach to ‘landscape’ is very broad and encompasses ‘large vista’ images of the natural environment (land or sea), urban or industrial settings. It may include people, but these should be ‘incidental’ rather than the main subject matter. We encourage all photographic styles and interpretations of ‘landscape’.
See the 2023 Head On Landscape awards finalists.
See more: 13 inspirational urban landscape photographers and 10 women landscape photographers.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS BY AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC
The inaugural Head On Environmental Awards by Australian Geographic celebrates the power of photography to capture and provoke reflection on our world and our place in it, inspiring action and driving positive change for our planet. Make your picture make a difference!
Images should highlight specific issues, elements or people impacting the natural world and our environment’s wellbeing, including, but not limited to, human-induced climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss, sustainable practices, pollution, ocean acidification and micro-diversity.
See the 2023 Head On Environmental awards finalists.
See more: What is environmental photography?, Inspirational environmental photographers pt 1 and pt 2
Judging process
Work is judged anonymously; no identifying details of the photographer will be visible to the judges to ensure that the work is selected on creative merit alone.
The judging panel comprises leaders in the Australian and international photography communities. It represents all aspects of the photography world, including curators, picture editors, photographers, educators and other industry professionals.