LCE Photographer of the Year 2027

LCE Photographer of the Year 2027 is now open for entries!

Brief Overview

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2027 invites photographers aged 18 and over worldwide to showcase their creativity and photographic talent in a free international competition celebrating outstanding images across a wide range of photographic genres.

Competition Details

The LCE Photographer of the Year 2027 is a free international photography competition organized by London Camera Exchange (LCE), inviting photographers of all experience levels to showcase their creativity, technical skills and unique perspectives through outstanding photographic work.

Organized as part of London Camera Exchange's 70th anniversary celebrations, the competition offers an opportunity for amateur, emerging and professional photographers to gain recognition and share their work with a wider audience. Founded in 1956, London Camera Exchange is one of the UK's leading specialist photographic retailers.

The 2027 edition features 14 award categories, covering a diverse range of photographic styles and subjects:

➜ Action – Capturing movement, energy and dynamic moments.
➜ After Dark – Exploring photography after sunset, from city lights to night skies.
➜ Birds – Celebrating the beauty and behaviour of birds.
➜ Creative – Encouraging experimentation, original perspectives and imaginative photographic techniques.
➜ Emerging Talent – Recognizing photography students and their developing creative vision.
➜ Events – Documenting memorable moments from concerts, festivals, weddings and other events.
➜ Landscape – Showcasing natural scenery and remarkable environments.
➜ Macro – Revealing fascinating details through close-up photography.
➜ People's Choice – Celebrating photographs selected through public voting.
➜ Pets – Capturing the personalities and distinctive characteristics of companion animals.
➜ Portrait – Expressing personality, emotion and human stories through portraiture.
➜ Street – Documenting spontaneous moments and everyday life in public spaces.
➜ Travel – Exploring destinations, cultures and experiences through photography.
➜ Wildlife – Celebrating animals and their natural environments.

Photographs may be taken anywhere in the world using digital cameras, smartphones or other suitable photographic devices. There is no restriction on when the photographs were taken, and previously awarded images may be submitted, provided they have not won or placed as runners-up in an earlier edition of this competition.

The competition combines public voting and professional judging. A shortlist is selected with consideration given to public favourites, while an expert judging panel evaluates photographs based on composition, lighting, subject matter and technical quality. Images are assessed anonymously to help ensure fairness, regardless of the equipment used.

The People's Choice Award is determined through eligible public votes, offering photographers an additional opportunity for recognition.

Although the competition welcomes international participants, physical and monetary prizes are available only to photographers residing in the United Kingdom. International winners remain eligible for recognition and exposure through the competition's official channels.

The winners will be announced during The Photography & Video Show 2027, scheduled to take place at ExCeL London from March 13 to 16, 2027. Selected photographs will also receive exposure through the competition's official communications and photography media.

Submission requirements

➜ Submit a maximum of one photograph per category. The same original photograph cannot be entered into multiple categories, including edited versions of the same image.

➜ Images must be uploaded in JPEG or PNG format, with a maximum dimension of 2,500 pixels on the longest edge.

➜ RGB or sRGB colour profiles are recommended.

➜ Provide an image title and a short description of up to 280 characters, explaining the photograph or the story behind it.

➜ All submitted photographs must be the entrant's original work and must respect copyright and intellectual property rights.

➜ Photographs captured using digital cameras, smartphones, tablets and other suitable imaging devices are accepted. Scanned film photographs are also eligible.

➜ AI-generated images are not permitted. All photographic elements, including those used in composite images, must originate from photographs taken by the entrant.

➜ Image editing and manipulation are permitted, provided the final work complies with the competition's originality and AI imagery policies.

➜ Shortlisted photographers must be able to provide the original image as a high-resolution JPEG or RAW file.

All submissions undergo an approval process before appearing in the competition gallery. Approved entries may receive public votes and be considered for the final judging process.

Eligibility

Open worldwide to amateur, emerging and professional photographers aged 18 and over. Prizes are restricted to UK residents.

Benefits

➜ Category Winners: Each of the 14 category winners receives £500 in London Camera Exchange vouchers.

➜ Overall Photographer of the Year: An additional £2,500 in LCE vouchers, awarded to the overall winner selected from the category winners.

➜ Emerging Talent Award: An additional £500 is awarded to the photography department, university or other eligible educational institution attended by the winning student.

➜ Trophies: Category winners and the overall winner receive an official competition trophy.

➜ Publication: Shortlisted photographs are featured in an official awards book, with a complimentary copy provided to each shortlisted entrant.

➜ Recognition and Exposure: Winners may gain visibility through official competition announcements, social media and national or specialist photography media.

Shortlisted photographers will be invited to the awards ceremony held during The Photography & Video Show 2027 at ExCeL London.

Important: Prizes are available exclusively to photographers residing in the United Kingdom. International participants may enter and receive recognition, but are not eligible for the advertised prizes or alternative compensation.