Organizer Information:

National Portrait Gallery. The Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize showcases the work of talented young photographers, gifted amateurs, and established professionals in the very best of contemporary portrait photography.

Title & Description:

Applications are open for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize 2026.

The competition celebrates a diverse range of images—from formal commissioned portraits to spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family. The selected images explore both traditional and contemporary approaches to the photographic portrait whilst capturing a range of characters, moods, and locations.

Category:

Portrait Photography.

Eligibility:

  • Who: Open to all photographers worldwide (amateurs and professionals).
  • Age Limit: Photographers MUST have been 18 years of age or over on January 1, 2026.
  • Submission Limit: Each photographer can submit up to 6 photographs maximum (can be individual portraits or a series).
  • Image Age: All photographs must have been taken from life after January 1, 2025.
  • Alumni Rule: Previous first prize-winners (since and including 2008) are strictly NOT eligible to enter.

Program Benefits & Awards:

  • Exhibition: Selected portraits will be exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London (November 5, 2026 – January 17, 2027) and may go on tour.
  • Awards: Monetary prizes will be awarded at the judges' discretion.
  • Publication: Exhibited works will be featured in the exhibition catalogue, posters, postcards, and marketing materials worldwide.

Application Fee & Program Costs:

  • Application Fee: £22.00 per entry. (Note: Discounted fees may be available; photographers must provide evidence of status on request).
  • Physical Delivery & Return: If an artist advances to the second round, they are strictly responsible for all costs regarding the physical delivery, shipping, insurance, and collection of their prints. The Gallery will NOT pay any customs charges or arrange courier collections.

Application Requirements:

  • Round 1 (Digital Upload): Entrants must register on the competition platform and upload images (JPG/JPEG, max 3 MB per file).
  • Round 2 (Physical Delivery - Invite Only): If selected on May 7, artists MUST deliver their un-framed, physical prints to London. Prints must be no larger than 1015 x 760mm and weigh less than 20 kilos.
  • Model Release: Photographers selected for the exhibition MUST provide signed model release forms (and minor release forms, if applicable).

How to Apply?

Register for a secure artist account and upload your submissions via the official National Portrait Gallery competition platform (competitions.npg.org.uk).

Key Dates:

  • Application Deadline (Round 1): Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 22:00 (UK Time).
  • Round 2 Notification: May 7, 2026.
  • Round 2 Physical Delivery Window: May 26 – June 2, 2026.
  • Final Exhibition Notification: By June 10, 2026.
  • Collection of Un-Exhibited Works / URGENT: June 11 – June 17, 2026. (Any works remaining after June 17 will be disposed of without prior notice).
  • Exhibition Dates: November 5, 2026 – January 17, 2027.

Location:

National Portrait Gallery, London, UK.

Contact Information:

Website : https://www.npg.org.uk/