Competition Guide | British Photography Awards

Competition Guide

A simple guide to how The BPA works

How we do what we do

Our competition is based around a desire to be more objective, and less exclusivist. We are a community-led movement that encourages fair competition and responsible action. To this end, here is a simple guide to how The BPA works...

Images can have been taken anywhere in the world and at any time in the past. The entrant must be either British or British-based.

The competition model is non-profit and directly funds UK-registered charities. Over 90% of the completion's cash flow goes to charity this year, with only card fees and specific VAT deducted.

Each photo is £5 to enter. You may enter as many categories as you please, and support any combination of charities you choose. Click Here to see our prize offerings. Your photos will be reviewed to ensure they meet our stringent ethical, and legal guidelines.

Our independent industry Judges will then review your images and assign their scores accordingly. A shortlist of technically well executed and well-regarded imagery is then presented to BPA staff.

Having learned a lot from other more subjective competitions over the years and in order to maintain our ethical model, this shortlist is then marketed heavily (and evenly) for targeted public voting for a separate 'People's Choice Award'.

But how does this make the competition 'better'?

  • The entrants are not required to 'push' their own work, and will enjoy a great deal of publicity upon being short-listed.
  • We will advertise the vote on highly targeted channels, that will predominantly seek votes from fellow photographers.
  • The BPA will ensure that your imagery is seen by a vast number of photographers, evening out the playing field, and avoiding the 'popularity contests' that plague many public votes.
  • We use a 2-step authentication system to minimise fraudulent voting and the process is closely monitored.

This model ensures that The BPA remains as ethical as possible, while heeding both the expert opinions of the industry greats, along with those of your fellow photographers. This grants a fairer, more balanced competition with higher exposure for the practitioners who have helped charity with their work, irrespective if they win an award or not.

To enter the competition, click here to view our categories, or here to register.

The Awards Night

The top 4 Photographers from each category are invited to the Awards Gala on the 4th of February 2020 at The Savoy in London. On the night we announce the winners and celebrate the entire showcase of top imagery. For more information on The British Photography Awards gala, click here.