Organizer Information
The World Street Photo Awards (WSPA) is an international photography competition platform dedicated to street photography and visual storytelling. The awards aim to recognize photographers who document authentic, spontaneous moments of everyday life in public spaces. The competition is open to photographers across different experience levels and nationalities, with an emphasis on creativity, originality, composition, and visual storytelling. The 2026 edition features an international jury of established street and fine-art photographers, including Siegfried Hansen, Matt Hall, Monaris, Joaquín Pastor Genzor, and Ando Fuchs.
Title & Description
World Street Photo Awards 2026 – Street Photography Contest
World Street Photo Awards 2026 invites photographers from around the world to submit their strongest street photographs. Under the theme “Every Street Has a Story,” the competition focuses on real, candid, and unposed moments that capture life in public spaces.
Photographers can submit images exploring different visual approaches, from reflections, silhouettes, geometry, and minimalism to cinematic streets, movement, light and shadow, and mobile phone photography. The competition seeks photographs that communicate authentic moments and compelling visual narratives.
Categories
Photography / Street Photography, including:
- Reflection
- Silhouette
- Geometry
- Minimalism
- Night & Low Light
- The Decisive Moment
- Black and White
- Color
- Transport
- Abstract & Surrealism
- Juxtaposition
- Weather
- Open Theme
- Animals
- Mobile Phone Photography
- Cinematic Streets
- Details
- Light & Shadow
- Movement & Motion
- Layers
Eligibility
The competition is international and open to photographers of all nationalities and skill levels, including professional, amateur, and student photographers. Applicants under 18 may participate with parental consent. Previously published or awarded photographs may also be submitted, provided the photographer retains full copyright.
Submitted photographs should represent authentic street photography taken in public spaces, generally featuring candid, unposed, and non-staged moments. AI-generated images are not permitted, although AI-assisted editing tools may be used when the original image is an actual photograph.
Program Benefits & Awards
The competition offers a total €2,500 prize pool. The Photographer of the Year receives €500, while each selected main category winner receives €100. Winners also receive official digital certificates and badges, international exposure through the WSPA website, social media, press releases and media partners, and inclusion in the online Winners’ Gallery for one year.
The 2026 competition also promotes an exhibition in a Berlin gallery and a feature in the official WSPA photobook as part of its advertised benefits.
Application Fee
- First photograph: €18
- Photographs 2–4: €15 each
- Photographs 5–10: €13 each
- Photographs 11+: €10 each
- Additional category entry for the same photograph: €12
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Super Early Bird: 1 August 2026, 23:59 CEST — 15% discount
- Early Bird: 29 August 2026, 23:59 CEST — 10% discount
- Final Deadline: 10 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
- Winners Reveal: 8 November 2026
Location
Berlin, Germany
Additional Details
Photographers retain ownership of their photographs but permit WSPA to use submitted images for promotional purposes, with photographer credit. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their submissions do not infringe third-party rights.