How to win photography competitions

Sunday 5 October 2025, 16:32 by Elja Trum | 2,276 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

As a photographer, winning photography competitions can help you make a name for yourself. But it may not be as easy as you think. Or is it? German architectural photographer Albrecht Voss shares five steps he takes to win photography competitions in this video.

Here are the tips in brief:

1. Choose a subject that truly moves you

Work on something that your curiosity and energy naturally draw you towards. You can see that in your photos, and it gives your entry character.

2. Translate your idea into one clear visual concept

Decide on the mood and approach beforehand, for example misty and minimalist, and stick with it so that your series has one clear direction.

3. Develop a recognisable, consistent style

Make choices about editing, framing and equipment, such as a fixed focal length or fixed format, and stick to them consistently. This looks deliberate and professional.

4. Think in series, not individual photos

Select a small number of photos that together tell a story. Remove duplicates and ask for feedback to sharpen the series.

5. Tell the story behind your images

Write a short, personal explanation or title that explains why this project interests you. Choose the category carefully. The right entry increases your chances.

Do you ever enter photography competitions? What has your experience been of what works and what doesn't? Share it in the comments.

Share: WhatsApp Facebook

About the author

Elja Trum is the founder of Photofacts and online photography course website Photofacts Academy. He has been writing about photography since 2006. Elja is also the author of (Dutch) books on composition, black-and-white photography, flash photography and portrait photography.

Golden Moment wins the World Sports Photography Award
by Nando Harmsen
File names are not important in Lightroom
by Nando Harmsen
Nature photography tip: Choose the right Alpine region for your shoot
by Rob Dijkstra
3 ingredients for a successful landscape photo
by Elja Trum
Photographer builds 3.2-gigapixel camera
by Elja Trum
Video: Taking Photos with a 3DS-EXP 645 Analogue Camera
by Elja Trum

Show every article in Video

home

0 comments

There are no comments on this article yet.
Be the first to share what you think!

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.

Become a better photographer every week

A practical photography tip in your inbox every week.
39,226 photography enthusiasts already receive the tips! More about the weekly mail. Or keep up to date via Facebook. Sign-up secured with Google reCaptcha.

Elja Trum

Photofacts; everything to do with photography!

Would you like to take better photos and keep up with what is happening in photography? Photofacts publishes articles that teach you something about photography — from a product announcement to a practical shooting tip or a look at a website. Photofacts covers photography every day and is a hobby project of Elja Trum's that got out of hand. The articles are written by a team of volunteer authors. If you would enjoy writing one or more articles for Photofacts, do get in touch.More about Photofacts

Photofacts is made possible in part by