Organizer Information
The BBA Gallery is a contemporary art gallery based in Berlin, Germany, dedicated to supporting emerging and established artists through exhibitions, international art prizes, and opportunities for global visibility. The gallery focuses on creating accessible platforms for artists who work across contemporary visual disciplines, connecting them with collectors, curators, galleries, and art professionals.
Through initiatives such as the BBA Photography Prize and the BBA One Shot Award, BBA Gallery aims to reduce barriers for artists by providing opportunities beyond traditional portfolio-based selection systems. The gallery emphasizes individual artistic vision, strong visual impact, and the ability of a single artwork to communicate effectively with audiences.
The One Shot Award 2026 is designed as an accessible international photography competition that gives photographers the opportunity to present one powerful image rather than a complete body of work. Selected photographers receive exhibition opportunities at BBA Gallery in Berlin, digital presentation, promotional exposure, and access to an international audience of collectors, curators, and photography enthusiasts.
Title & Description
FROM SHOT TO SHOW – BBA One Shot Award 2026
The BBA One Shot Award 2026 is an international open call inviting photographers to submit one single image that immediately captures attention and communicates a compelling artistic vision.
Unlike traditional photography competitions that require extensive portfolios or thematic series, the One Shot Award focuses on the power of one photograph. Artists are encouraged to submit an individual image that demonstrates originality, creativity, emotional impact, or a unique perspective.
For the 2026 Fall Edition, BBA Gallery is opening participation to photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality, education, professional background, or level of experience. The selected works will become part of a professional exhibition presentation at the BBA Gallery in Berlin.
A shortlist of 20 photographs will be professionally printed and exhibited on the gallery walls, with all production and printing costs covered by BBA Gallery. In addition, a longlist of 50 photographs will be presented digitally on a large display within the exhibition space.
The award provides photographers with an opportunity to introduce their work to an international audience, including collectors, curators, industry professionals, and contemporary art audiences.
Categories
- Photography
- Fine Art Photography
- Documentary Photography
- Conceptual Photography
- Portrait Photography
- Landscape Photography
- Experimental Photography
- Digital Photography
- Analog Photography
- Mixed photographic approaches
There are no restrictions regarding photographic style, technique, or genre. Artists may submit any type of photographic work as long as they own the rights to the submitted image.
Eligibility
The BBA One Shot Award 2026 is open to:
- International artists worldwide
- Photographers of all nationalities
- Emerging, mid-career, and established photographers
- Self-taught photographers and professionally trained artists
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time of participation
- Submit an original photograph created by themselves
- Own all copyright and intellectual property rights related to the submitted work
Additional eligibility conditions:
- Photographers may be represented by galleries, but submitted artworks must not be under exclusive representation agreements with another gallery.
- The submitted photograph must be available for exhibition presentation.
- Relatives of jury members, BBA Gallery employees, or artists already represented by BBA Gallery are not eligible.
There are no restrictions based on Nationality, Educational background, Professional experience, or age (above 18)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Exhibition at the BBA Gallery in Berlin
- Professional printing of submitted artwork
- Printing and production costs fully covered by BBA Gallery
- No shipping costs for participation
- Digital presentation of their photographs on a large display inside the BBA Gallery exhibition space
- €300 cash prize
- Exhibition at BBA Gallery
- Social media and newsletter promotion
- Profile feature on Artsy
Application Fee
€19 per submitted photograph
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 3 August 2026
Location
Berlin, Germany
Additional Details
- Artists retain full copyright ownership of submitted photographs.
- BBA Gallery does not claim ownership of submitted works.
- By submitting, artists grant BBA Gallery a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use images for promotional purposes, including social media, newsletters, advertising, and future BBA communications.
- Artists are responsible for ensuring that submitted works do not violate third-party rights.
- BBA Gallery reserves the right to reject submissions containing inappropriate, offensive, or unsuitable content.
- The jury and gallery’s final decision are binding.
- Submitted works must remain available for sale during the exhibition period and for three months afterward if sales are handled through BBA Gallery.
- Selected artists may be contacted before and during the exhibition period using the information provided during registration.
The One Shot Award encourages photographers to focus on the strongest possible single image, offering an accessible entry point into Berlin’s contemporary art scene and international photography network.