2026 MUSE Photography Awards
2026 MUSE Photography Awards is now open for entries!
The MUSE Photography Awards 2026, recently organised by International Awards Associate Inc (IAA) is an international competition that celebrates the creative ethos and underlying afternotes of what makes a photograph so influential.
Short description
The MUSE Photography Awards 2026, competition organised by International Awards Associate Inc (IAA), open to professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global level now is calling for entries.
2026 MUSE Theme: Crowning Achievements
Crowning Achievements reflects the journey of photographers who capture the world through creativity, precision, and emotion.
It is a celebration of defining moments, where perspective transforms into art, and imagination turns into recognition. Every photograph becomes a Crowning Achievement, symbolizing the creativity and vision that shape the international photography community.
This award celebrates excellence in global photography, recognizing professionals, emerging talents, and enthusiasts whose images capture stories that inspire and move audiences worldwide.
This year, you are invited to join this extraordinary celebration, sharing your distinctive perspectives to spark new ideas, foster global connections, and create images that will leave an enduring mark on future generations.
2026 MUSE Photography Awards categories include: Architecture Photography, Commercial Photography, Editorial Photography, Event Photography, Fine Art Photography, Nature Photography, People Photography, Mobile Photography, Black & White Photography, Minimalist Photography, Fashion Photography, Film Photography, Advertising Photography and other special categories, such as Comedy Photography, Mobile Photography, etc.
The MUSE Photography Awards celebrates the creative ethos and underlying afternotes of what makes a photograph so influential, honoring the ever-thriving visuals arts community grow from the view of their camera lens and share stories that will live on for decades to come.
The MUSE Photography Awards aims to redefine and push the boundaries of photography, where every aspect of a still image is carefully taken to reach international standards.
There are FIVE levels of achievement in the competition:
➜ MUSE Photographers of the Year
➜ MUSE Category Winners of the Year (10 Categories)
➜ Platinum MUSE (85-100 points)
➜ Gold MUSE (70-84 points)
➜ Silver MUSE (50-69 points)
All entries must be submitted for judging exactly as published or implemented and may not be modified for the competition. The MUSE Photography Awards may request proof of initial production and/or publication date.
Judges are senior-level, experienced in their field/industry, including creative designers and art directors from international agencies, architects, fashion designers, interior designers, product designers, educators, marketers or business owners.
Evaluation Criteria:
➜ Originality (Uniqueness of Concept / Expression of Theme)
➜ Creativity / Story / Mood
➜ Technical Execution (Composition, Color, Lighting, Exposure and Focus)
➜ Marketability / Newsworthiness / Current / Potential Social Impact
➜ Overall Impression / Wow! Factor / Memorable
The MUSE Photography Awards captures, retains and celebrates the many talented photographers of all levels and genres with their timeless imagery and ingenuity. Evoking emotions from all senses, organiser believes that a single photograph can transcend all languages and countries, becoming truly international by telling a story of its own.
All winners for 2026 will be announced on April 10, 2026 via MUSE Photography Awards official page.
Submission requirements:
➜ You can submit up to 10 images in JPEG and one PDF can be uploaded per entry. For easy results, ensure images are formatted as a flattened JPEG/JPG, 1,200px wide, 300 dpi, RGB, and no larger than 4MB. All photos must be taken with a mobile phone or tablet. The photos are not to be altered in Photoshop or any other desktop image processing programs. Add-on lenses can be used.
➜ The competition is open to all forms of photography taken up to 5 years from 2018, from commissioned, published, unpublished, and personal work from professional and photography aficionados.
➜ It is recommended each written descriptions to be kept at approximately 350 words or less. Do utilize this section to elaborate on the piece as well as providing the jury with a better understanding of your subject. A written translation or adaptation must accompany non-English entries.
Who may enter?
The MUSE Photography Awards 2026 is open to professional, amateur, and student photographers on a global level.
Prize:
➜ MUSE Photographer of the Year (Professional Category) will receive $3,000 in cash prizes and a MUSE Statuette.
➜ MUSE Photographer of the Year (Amateur Category) will receive $2,000 in cash prizes and a MUSE Statuette.
➜ 10 Category Winners of the Year (Professional and Amateur Categories) will receive $100 in cash prizes each.
➜ All Photographers of the Year, Category Winners of the Year, Platinum, Gold & Silver winners will receive a MUSE e-certificate.
➜ Top tier (Platinum, Gold, and Silver) winners will be featured on MUSE Photography Awards site's Gallery, where professionals can view your work.
➜ Professionally designed logos for use on websites, in email signatures, etc.
➜ In addition to the e-certificates, Platinum, Gold, and Silver winners may purchase beautiful MUSE Awards statuettes.
➜ The winning entries from the MUSE Photographers of the Year, Category Winners of the Year, Platinum, Gold & Silver winners will be publicized on the MUSE online gallery and any published MUSE Awards materials.
Entry fees:
Entry fee for Professionals is $30 and for amateur and students is $25 during the Early Bird period (Oct 16 - Nov 13, 2025). After that period ends the month of the entry fee will increase.
