Organizer Information
Communication Arts (CA) is a leading professional magazine and platform for visual communications, including advertising, design, illustration, photography, interactive media, and typography. Founded in 1959, CA runs global juried competitions to highlight outstanding creative work. The Photography Competition is one of its flagship contests, recognized internationally for excellence in photographic practice.
Title & Description
2026 Photography Competition
Communication Arts invites photographers worldwide to submit original photography work produced or first published between March 2025 and March 2026. The competition accepts commercial, editorial, personal, and experimental photography. Winning works are selected by an international jury and receive publication in the Photography Annual (print and digital), feature on commarts.com, and exposure to art directors, agencies, and industry professionals globally.
Categories
- Advertising (ads, posters, product packaging, campaigns)
- Books (covers, interiors, jackets)
- Editorial (magazines, newspapers, trade publications)
- For Sale (prints, gallery sale, stock/licensing)
- Institutional (corporate/association publications, websites, annual reports)
- Motion / Cinematography (time-based media where photography is primary)
- Self-Promotion (promotional images by photographers/agencies)
- Unpublished (personal or experimental work)
- Student Work (school/academic assignments)
Eligibility
- Open to photographers worldwide.
- Eligible work must be created or first published March 2025 – March 2026.
- AI-generated images are not accepted.
- Both professional and student photographers may enter (students enter via the Student Work category).
Program Benefits & Awards
- Publication in the Photography Annual (print + digital).
- Feature on commarts.com and international exposure to industry professionals.
- Award of Excellence (solid aluminum trophy) and certificate.
- Recognition in a globally respected index of photographic excellence.
- No cash prize is offered.
Application Fee
| Category | Single Entry | Series / Multiple Entries |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Books | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Editorial | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| For Sale | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Institutional | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Motion / Cinematography | $90 | Series of up to 3 time-based media pieces: $180 |
| Self-Promotion | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Unpublished | $40 | Series of up to 5 photographs: $80 |
| Student Work | JPG: $20 / Video: $45 | JPG series up to 5: $40 / Video series up to 3: $90 |
Application Requirements
- Contact information.
- Titles and credits for submitted works.
- Digital files:
- Still images: JPG, 150–300 ppi, max 2 MB per file.
- Motion/video: MOV, MP4, or MPG, max 500 MB.
- Series submissions allowed (up to 5 images per series; 3 videos for motion series).
- Agreement for CA to reproduce selected works for publication and promotion.
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Regular Submission Deadline: 13 March 2026
- Late Entry Deadline: 27 March 2026
Location
Belmont, California, United States
Additional Details
- Each photograph counts as a single entry; multiple images may be submitted as a series.
- Motion/video entries must have photography as the primary element.
- AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.
- Selected works are published by CA but copyrights remain with the photographer.
Website Link: https://www.commarts.com/competition/2026-photography#what-to-enter
