1839 Awards celebrates the photography of those who use the camera as their artistic medium.
Our Contests
1839 offers 3 Annual Contests
Photographer of the Year Contest
Early Bird
May 27 - Jul 22
Regular Submission
Jul 22 - Aug 20
Extended Submission
Aug 20 - Oct 19
Awarding a distinguished group of creators working with the camera as an art form as the Photographers of the Year
DetailsOur Contests
1839 offers 3 Annual Contests
Art of Photography Contest
Regular Submission
Oct 26 - Nov 18
Extended Submission
Nov 18 - Dec 18
The Art of Photography Contest by the 1839 Awards celebrates the creativity, vision, and distinctive perspectives that make photography an art form, across every genre.
DetailsOur Contests
1839 offers 3 Annual Contests
Color Photography Contest
Early Bird
Jan 5 - Mar 12
Regular Submission
Mar 12 - Apr 9
Extended Submission
Apr 9 - May 21
The Color Photo Contest by 1839 Awards honors those who use color photography as their medium of expression
DetailsOur Contests
1839 offers 3 Annual Contests
Photographer of the Year Contest
Early Bird
May 27 - Jul 22
Regular Submission
Jul 22 - Aug 20
Extended Submission
Aug 20 - Oct 19
Awarding a distinguished group of creators working with the camera as an art form as the Photographers of the Year
DetailsOur Contests
1839 offers 3 Annual Contests
Art of Photography Contest
Regular Submission
Oct 26 - Nov 18
Extended Submission
Nov 18 - Dec 18
The Art of Photography Contest by the 1839 Awards celebrates the creativity, vision, and distinctive perspectives that make photography an art form, across every genre.
DetailsJudges
The panel of judges selected for this contest represent the most important institutions and tastemakers in the art and photography world.
Judges include world-renowned photographers, curators, directors, and industry professionals who were chosen based on their respected positions within the global photography world.
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One of our primary missions as an artist-first community is to ensure that your photography gets the exposure it deserves. That’s why all nominated entries are automatically entered into the People’s Vote Awards in addition to our juried awards.
During the People’s Vote Awards, the public is invited to be inspired by your work while supporting it by voting for their favorite images within each contest category.
This unique honor is one of the many ways we aim to increase the chances of our artists like you being discovered and receiving well-deserved recognition.
Testimonials
“I believe the credibility of the 1839 Awards recognition helped draw more attention to my work from curators and galleries.”
"After receiving the award last year, I shared the news on Instagram and updated my personal website to include the recognition. Around that time, I noticed that both Temple Gallery and SVA Flatiron Gallery had open calls with themes that aligned closely with my awarded project, Portrait of a Family. I submitted my work along with the news about the 1839 Awards, and shortly after, both curatorial teams selected pieces from the series to be included in their exhibitions."
Shaohan Fang
United States
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility.”
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility, and I believe it directly contributed to fotoforum — one of Germany’s top photo magazines — publishing a feature on one of my images in 2025. That kind of recognition makes a real impact.”
Hans-Martin Dölz
Germany
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work.”
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work, and I immediately saw an uptick in Instagram followers. Being able to say ‘award-winning photographer’ or ‘featured in Forbes’ is priceless. It also encouraged me to keep pursuing my vision.”
Trina O’Hara
Italy
“It was the validation I needed to keep going.”
“Winning this award gave me a huge boost in confidence at a time when I was questioning my path—it was the validation I needed to keep going. Sharing the news sparked meaningful conversations with friends, colleagues, and even collectors, leading to deeper engagement with my work. While it didn’t result in immediate sales, it showed me that the work was being seen and appreciated in new ways.”
Jay Tang
Netherlands
“I received many compliments and even sold a photograph.”
“Sharing my award-winning series Caravaggesque Lights brought wonderful feedback — I received many compliments and even sold a photograph. In short, it was a deeply satisfying experience.”
Laura Malaterra
Italy
“...Seeing my work reach audiences around the world.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of this recognition has been seeing my work reach audiences around the world. The award helped expand its visibility through international publications, showing how a personal project can connect with people across cultures and continents.”
Jaime Travezan
Peru
“I believe the credibility of the 1839 Awards recognition helped draw more attention to my work from curators and galleries.”
"After receiving the award last year, I shared the news on Instagram and updated my personal website to include the recognition. Around that time, I noticed that both Temple Gallery and SVA Flatiron Gallery had open calls with themes that aligned closely with my awarded project, Portrait of a Family. I submitted my work along with the news about the 1839 Awards, and shortly after, both curatorial teams selected pieces from the series to be included in their exhibitions."
Shaohan Fang
United States
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility.”
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility, and I believe it directly contributed to fotoforum — one of Germany’s top photo magazines — publishing a feature on one of my images in 2025. That kind of recognition makes a real impact.”
Hans-Martin Dölz
Germany
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work.”
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work, and I immediately saw an uptick in Instagram followers. Being able to say ‘award-winning photographer’ or ‘featured in Forbes’ is priceless. It also encouraged me to keep pursuing my vision.”
Trina O’Hara
Italy
“It was the validation I needed to keep going.”
“Winning this award gave me a huge boost in confidence at a time when I was questioning my path—it was the validation I needed to keep going. Sharing the news sparked meaningful conversations with friends, colleagues, and even collectors, leading to deeper engagement with my work. While it didn’t result in immediate sales, it showed me that the work was being seen and appreciated in new ways.”
Jay Tang
Netherlands
“I received many compliments and even sold a photograph.”
“Sharing my award-winning series Caravaggesque Lights brought wonderful feedback — I received many compliments and even sold a photograph. In short, it was a deeply satisfying experience.”
Laura Malaterra
Italy
“...Seeing my work reach audiences around the world.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of this recognition has been seeing my work reach audiences around the world. The award helped expand its visibility through international publications, showing how a personal project can connect with people across cultures and continents.”
Jaime Travezan
Peru
“I believe the credibility of the 1839 Awards recognition helped draw more attention to my work from curators and galleries.”
"After receiving the award last year, I shared the news on Instagram and updated my personal website to include the recognition. Around that time, I noticed that both Temple Gallery and SVA Flatiron Gallery had open calls with themes that aligned closely with my awarded project, Portrait of a Family. I submitted my work along with the news about the 1839 Awards, and shortly after, both curatorial teams selected pieces from the series to be included in their exhibitions."
Shaohan Fang
United States
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility.”
“The interview and presentation elevated my visibility, and I believe it directly contributed to fotoforum — one of Germany’s top photo magazines — publishing a feature on one of my images in 2025. That kind of recognition makes a real impact.”
Hans-Martin Dölz
Germany
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work.”
“The award gave people a reason to take a closer look at my work, and I immediately saw an uptick in Instagram followers. Being able to say ‘award-winning photographer’ or ‘featured in Forbes’ is priceless. It also encouraged me to keep pursuing my vision.”
Trina O’Hara
Italy
“It was the validation I needed to keep going.”
“Winning this award gave me a huge boost in confidence at a time when I was questioning my path—it was the validation I needed to keep going. Sharing the news sparked meaningful conversations with friends, colleagues, and even collectors, leading to deeper engagement with my work. While it didn’t result in immediate sales, it showed me that the work was being seen and appreciated in new ways.”
Jay Tang
Netherlands
“I received many compliments and even sold a photograph.”
“Sharing my award-winning series Caravaggesque Lights brought wonderful feedback — I received many compliments and even sold a photograph. In short, it was a deeply satisfying experience.”
Laura Malaterra
Italy
“...Seeing my work reach audiences around the world.”
“One of the most rewarding parts of this recognition has been seeing my work reach audiences around the world. The award helped expand its visibility through international publications, showing how a personal project can connect with people across cultures and continents.”
Jaime Travezan
Peru
Get the Global Recognition
Your Photography Deserves
Our Winner's Gallery will be advertised to a global community of viewers
























If you use your camera as a medium of expression to honor and explore the art of photography, we want to see your images.


