“Explore 30 ideas to host an online photography contest with tips, examples, and Wishpond tools to simplify your process.”
Online photography contests are a fantastic way to engage audiences, celebrate creativity, and promote your brand. They are versatile, scalable, and easily managed online. Below, we’ll explore 30 detailed ideas for hosting an online photography contest, complete with actionable advice, real examples, and tips to help you succeed.
Online Photography Contest Idea #1. Themed Photography Contest
Create a contest around a specific theme to spark creativity and provide structure. Themes like “Winter Wonderland,” “Cityscapes,” or “Moments of Joy” can attract diverse entries.
Tip: Provide a detailed description of the theme to guide participants. For example, if the theme is “Winter Wonderland,” clarify whether you want snowy landscapes, cozy indoor scenes, or winter wildlife.
This themed photography contest focuses on the beauty and intricacies of winter still life, inviting participants to showcase their skills in composing evocative, seasonal imagery. The competition celebrates the winter season, focusing on artistic still-life photography. Participants are encouraged to creatively feature natural elements like frosted berries, pine cones, and evergreen branches.
How Wishpond Can Help: Use Wishpond’s customizable entry forms to collect submissions and track participant data easily.
Online Photography Contest Idea #2. Seasonal Photography Contest
Align your contest with the seasons for timely engagement. For example, a “Spring Blossoms” contest can encourage participants to showcase vibrant flowers, while a “Summer Adventures” theme invites travel photography.
Tip: Sponsor prizes by partnering with seasonal brands, such as a florist for spring or an outdoor gear company for summer.
This photograph displays a serene autumn landscape with fiery red and golden leaves reflecting on a still lake. This is an excellent seasonal photography example as it perfectly encapsulates the mood and beauty of fall. The rich colors, balanced composition, and soft lighting evoke the fleeting beauty of the season, drawing the viewer into the scene.
Online Photography Contest Idea #3. Beginner-Friendly Contest
Not all photographers are professionals. Hosting a contest for beginners opens the door to a broader audience. Specify rules like “Photos must be taken on smartphones” or “No professional editing allowed.”
Tip: Provide beginner photography tips on your contest page to inspire confidence in participants.
This image, advertising a Mobile Photography Contest organized for World Photography Day, is a perfect representation of a beginner-friendly competition. The minimalistic design and clear guidelines emphasize inclusivity for participants with limited photography experience.
Online Photography Contest Idea #4. Pet Photography Contest
Everyone loves adorable pet photos. A “Cutest Pet Photo” contest can generate massive engagement, especially on social media.
Tip: To attract a broader range of entries, add subcategories like “Funniest Pet Photo” or “Most Exotic Pet.”
This image showcases the Cutest Pet of the Fall Photo Contest, a perfect example of a lighthearted and engaging competition. The vibrant photo of an adorable dog draws attention and immediately sets the tone for a fun and accessible contest.
Wishpond Integration: Use Wishpond’s voting tools to let audiences choose the winner, increasing interaction.
Online Photography Contest Idea #5. Black and White Photography Contest
Monochrome photography challenges participants to focus on composition, contrast, and lighting.
Tip: Share tips about black-and-white photography on your website, such as the importance of shadows or textures.
This image advertises the Black and White Photography Contest, hosted by The Artist Gallery Awards, showcasing its appeal to photographers who appreciate the art of monochrome imagery.
Online Photography Contest Idea #6. Best Editing Skills Contest
Focus on post-processing by challenging participants to transform a basic photo into a masterpiece using editing tools.
Actionable Tip: Provide a free sample image for participants to edit and judge entries based on creativity and skill.
This Creative Editing Challenge is an outstanding example of a contest designed to test and reward exceptional photo editing skills. The challenge revolves around editing RAW images provided by renowned photographer Daniel Kordan, offering participants an opportunity to showcase their creativity and technical skills in transforming raw visuals into stunning masterpieces.
Online Photography Contest Idea #7. Candid Moments Contest
Focus on unposed, spontaneous moments that tell a story. These photos often carry emotional weight, making them memorable.
Tip: Encourage participants to explain the story behind their candid shot in the caption.
This “Moments of Joy” contest by Paradise Group is a heartfelt example of a Candid Moments Contest that emphasizes emotional connections and authenticity. The contest encourages participants to submit candid photos celebrating joyful moments between mothers and their children, capturing genuine, unscripted emotions that resonate with a wide audience.
Online Photography Contest Idea #8. Storytelling Through Photography
Ask participants to submit a series of 3–5 photos that narrate a compelling story. This type of contest emphasizes creativity and sequencing.
Tip: Offer guidelines on creating a cohesive photo story, such as starting with an establishing shot and ending with a powerful conclusion.
The “Kutty Story” Photography Contest highlights the art of narrative through images. The contest challenges participants to create a cohesive story using a series of six photographs. This structured approach emphasizes storytelling skills, encouraging photographers to think beyond single frames.
Online Photography Contest Idea #9. Abstract Photography Contest
Encourage participants to experiment with shapes, patterns, and colors for artistic and unconventional results.
Tip: Include an educational element, such as explaining what makes a photo “abstract,” to inspire participants.
This “Abstract Photography Contest” post is a strong example of an Abstract Photography Contest because it focuses on creativity and unconventional perspectives. The contest encourages photographers to “transform the world around us into something unexpected.” This open-ended theme is ideal for abstract photography, inviting diverse interpretations.
Online Photography Contest Idea #10. Food Photography Contest
Food photography contests are visually appealing and highly shareable, making them perfect for food or restaurant industry brands.
Tip: Specify lighting, presentation, and framing guidelines to help participants submit high-quality entries.
This promotional post for the Food Photography Contest is an exemplary representation of a visually engaging and niche-specific contest. The photo uses a creative composition with ingredients such as shrimp, peas, and noodles seemingly “floating” mid-air. This showcases the artistic potential of food photography, making it visually captivating.
Online Photography Contest Idea #11. Nature Photography Contest
Celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Categories like landscapes, wildlife, and plants can diversify entries.
Tip: Collaborate with environmental organizations to promote the contest and raise awareness for conservation.
This promotional post for the Essence of Vergelegen Photography Contest brilliantly captures the spirit of nature photography. The image highlights a golden fountain amidst lush greenery, creating a serene and vibrant atmosphere. This composition perfectly showcases the beauty of natural and man-made elements coexisting harmoniously.
Wishpond Use Case: Use Wishpond’s lead generation tools to collect email addresses for future marketing efforts.
Online Photography Contest Idea #12. Macro Photography Challenge
Macro photography contests invite participants to focus on the intricate details of small subjects, like flowers, insects, or textures. This type of contest emphasizes technical skill and creative framing.
Tip: Provide educational resources about macro photography, such as how to use a macro lens or take close-up shots with a smartphone.
This promotional image for the #iPhoneMacroChallenge is a stunning example of how a macro photography challenge can inspire creativity and showcase detail. The photograph captures intricate water droplets on a textured leaf, bringing out the vivid green hues and natural patterns. It highlights the potential of macro photography to reveal hidden beauty in everyday objects.
Online Photography Contest Idea #13. Selfie Photography Contest
Selfies are a fun and accessible way to get people involved, especially significantly younger demographics. While selfies might seem simple, encourage participants to get creative with lighting, props, or unique locations.
Tip: Create categories like “Best Travel Selfie,” “Funniest Selfie,” or “Group Selfie.”
This promotional image for the Selfie Photography Contest hosted by 35Awards is a creative and visually engaging example of what makes a compelling selfie. The black-and-white composition focuses on the photographer holding the camera up close, showcasing both the equipment and the individual’s expression. The dynamic positioning and flyaway hair add personality and flair, making it more than a simple portrait.
Pro Tip: Use Wishpond to collect and organize entries submitted via social media hashtags.
Online Photography Contest Idea #14. Photo Caption Contest
Combine photography with wit by asking participants to submit a photo and a clever caption. This adds an extra layer of creativity and can generate more engagement.
Tip: Encourage participants to make captions humorous, emotional, or thought-provoking, depending on your brand’s tone.
This contest encourages participants to showcase their wit and humor by crafting creative captions for a shared image. In this example, a cat wearing a slice of bread sparks hilarious captions in the comments. Such contests are great for engagement, as they foster creativity and interaction, with the funniest caption often winning a prize.
Online Photography Contest Idea #15. Instagram-Only Contest
Focus your content entirely on Instagram, leveraging its massive user base and visual nature. Participants can enter by posting photos, tagging their accounts, and using a specific hashtag.
Tip: Promote the contest on Instagram Stories, Reels, and Posts to ensure maximum visibility.
This image showcases a collage of red Starbucks cups in various cozy, seasonal settings. The cups are held in well-composed, aesthetic scenes featuring warm colors, soft textures, and autumn or winter-themed backdrops. Leveraging the return of the “Red Cups,” Starbucks ties the contest to a highly anticipated seasonal product, generating excitement and emotional connection.
Wishpond Feature Highlight: Wishpond allows you to automate Instagram entries and gather participant information for follow-ups.
Online Photography Contest Idea #16. Travel Photography Contest
Encourage participants to share their best travel photos, showcasing unique destinations and cultural moments. This contest often inspires wanderlust among your audience.
Tip: Offer a travel-related prize, such as flight vouchers, travel gear, or a guided tour.
This post promotes a “Flight Expert Photo Contest & Exhibition,” inviting participants to showcase their travel photography skills. The design features a bold call-to-action with a camera graphic and clear text highlighting categories like “The Beauty of the World Through Your Lens,” “Landmark & Nature of Bangladesh,” and “Happy Moments in Travel.” A QR code simplifies entry submission, adding modern convenience.
Pro Tip: Use a unique hashtag to track submissions and boost visibility.
Online Photography Contest Idea #17. Color-Themed Contest
Ask participants to submit photos with a dominant color theme, such as blue, red, or gold. Color-themed contests are visually striking and straightforward to execute.
Tip: Create an Instagram grid of entries to showcase the contest’s theme and draw more participants visually.
This contest post showcases a serene autumn landscape filled with rich, warm colors of the season. The design emphasizes “Autumn Colors” as the theme, complemented by a picturesque image of trees, vibrant foliage, and a tranquil water reflection. It invites participants to capture the beauty of autumn through landscape or nature photography.
Online Photography Contest Idea #18. Event Photography Contest
Focus on moments captured at specific events, such as concerts, festivals, or sports games. These contests allow participants to relive exciting moments while showcasing their skills.
Tip: Partner with event organizers to promote the contest and offer tickets to future events as prizes.
This post promotes a photo contest tied to the “#TMBCoachellaChristmas” event by Toyota Manila Bay. It encourages participants to share photos of their Coachella-inspired holiday preparations. The background features a vibrant sunset scene with iconic Coachella imagery, like palm trees and a Ferris wheel, while the foreground highlights a smartphone capturing a group photo.
Wishpond Feature Highlight: Use Wishpond to collect submissions and create a highlight reel of the best entries.
Online Photography Contest Idea #19. Action Photography Contest
Action photography focuses on motion, capturing moments like athletes in mid-air, a dancer in mid-spin, or wildlife in motion.
Tip: Encourage participants to use settings like a fast shutter speed to freeze motion or experiment with long exposures for motion blur.
This contest post promotes the “From Grit to Glory: Emotions in Sports Photography” theme, inviting participants to capture raw emotions in athletic contexts. The image showcases an ecstatic moment of celebration, emphasizing teamwork and triumph. The design pairs dynamic photography with an encouraging call to action for submissions.
Online Photography Contest Idea #20. Silhouette Photography Challenge
Silhouette photography emphasizes dramatic contrasts between subjects and backgrounds, creating stunning visual effects.
Tip: Share lighting tips, like shooting against a sunset or using artificial backlighting, to help participants achieve stunning silhouettes.
This contest post features a striking silhouette of a cyclist against a vibrant sunset. The design showcases the challenge’s focus on capturing stunning silhouettes, leveraging the natural contrast between light and shadow to create captivating imagery.
Online Photography Contest Idea #21. Landscape Photography Contest
Celebrate the beauty of wide-open spaces, from mountains to oceans. Landscape photography contests are perfect for highlighting the grandeur of nature.
Tip: Offer prizes like drones or wide-angle lenses to encourage participation.
This contest features an idyllic scene of a rustic wooden house set against towering, sunlit mountains and a reflective waterbody in the foreground. The image embodies the essence of village landscapes, celebrating the beauty of nature and rural life.
Online Photography Contest Idea #22. Portrait Photography Contest
Focus on capturing the essence of people through close-up shots. Portrait contests are excellent for both professionals and hobbyists.
Tip: Include a “Best Environmental Portrait” category to encourage storytelling through the subject’s surroundings.
This contest features a stunning portrait photograph highlighting a subject with soft lighting, intricate textures, and rich, earthy tones. The subject’s contemplative expression and dramatic composition create a striking visual impact.
Online Photography Contest Idea #23. Night Photography Contest
Encourage participants to capture scenes like city lights, starry skies, or illuminated monuments.
Tip: Share tips on shooting in low-light conditions, such as using tripods and adjusting ISO settings.
This contest highlights the unique art of nighttime wildlife photography, inspired by the pioneering work of George Shiras III. The flyer features a black-and-white photograph of deer leaping through a forest, evoking the mystery and allure of nocturnal wildlife.
Online Photography Contest Idea #24. Historical Landmarks Photography Contest
Ask participants to highlight famous landmarks with a creative twist. These contests promote tourism and cultural appreciation.
Tip: Offer bonus points for including people in the photos to make the landmarks feel alive.
This contest encourages participants to capture the essence of Gujarat’s rich cultural and natural beauty. The flyer prominently features iconic landmarks such as temples, statues, and the region’s diverse wildlife, blending traditional architecture with modern visuals.
Online Photography Contest Idea #25. Community-Centric Contest
Focus on capturing the essence of a specific community, neighborhood, or group. This fosters local engagement and storytelling.
Tip: Collaborate with local businesses to sponsor prizes and promote the contest within the community.
The “Save the Children Photo Contest” focuses on photojournalism with a powerful theme that resonates globally. The contest encourages photographers to capture compelling visuals that tell impactful stories, especially those involving children and communities in need.
Online Photography Contest Idea #26. Humor in Photography Contest
Ask participants to share funny or quirky photos, such as animals in odd positions or humorous moments captured unexpectedly.
Tip: Create fun subcategories like “Best Animal Antics” or “Unexpected Photobombs” for variety.
The “Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards” offers a unique twist by celebrating humor in the natural world. This contest invites participants to showcase amusing and light-hearted wildlife photos that bring smiles while promoting wildlife conservation.
Online Photography Contest Idea #27. Generational Photography Contest
Invite participants to recreate old family photos with a modern twist. This encourages nostalgia and creativity.
Tip: Suggest participants include side-by-side comparisons of the original and recreated photos.
The “Legacy Photo Challenge” celebrates family heritage by inviting participants to post photos showcasing multiple generations of their families. The contest aims to highlight the beauty of familial bonds and the legacy passed down through generations.
Online Photography Contest Idea #28. Conceptual Photography Contest
Focus on deep themes like “Hope,” “Change,” or “Dreams.” Conceptual photography encourages introspection and artistic expression.
Tip: Provide clear examples to illustrate what conceptual photography entails.
The “Stories of Hope” Photography Competition focuses on capturing perspectives of EU citizens of color, celebrating diversity, and highlighting personal stories through compelling visual narratives.
Online Photography Contest Idea #29. Photography for a Cause
Use your contest to promote social or environmental causes. Participants can submit photos aligning with the cause’s theme.
Tip: Donate a portion of the entry fee to charity and involve participants in choosing the beneficiary.
The “World Water Day Photo Contest 2025” celebrates impactful photography with the theme of Water Preservation, hosted by The Lions Club of Seregno and UN-Water. It encourages participants to creatively highlight water conservation and its critical importance, raising awareness through visual storytelling.
Online Photography Contest Idea #30. Multi-Category Photography Contest
Encourage a wide range of creativity by hosting a Multi-Category Photography Contest with diverse entry types. Categories can include Open Awards for general submissions, Next Generation Awards for emerging photographers, and even Short Film Awards for those exploring motion photography.
Tip: Offer tiered prizes like cash rewards, photography gear, or exclusive opportunities, such as mentorship programs or feature spots in exhibitions.
Nikon’s Photo Contest included categories for different skill levels and formats, offering prizes such as Nikon Z cameras, cash, and anniversary editions of their products. It attracted global participation and fostered excitement within the photography community.
Why It Works: Multi-category contests appeal to a larger audience by accommodating varied interests and skill levels, making it an inclusive and impactful event. Use Wishpond to manage entries for each category and highlight standout work through an online gallery.
Conclusion
Hosting an online photography contest is a powerful way to foster engagement, showcase creativity, and build your brand. Whether you’re targeting seasoned photographers or hobbyists, these 30 ideas offer a range of possibilities to captivate your audience and achieve your goals. By incorporating clear rules, engaging themes, and compelling prizes, you can create a memorable contest that stands out.
Platforms like Wishpond make running an online photography contest seamless. With tools for collecting entries, facilitating voting, and promoting your contest, Wishpond streamlines the entire process, allowing you to focus on fostering creativity and connection. Explore their social promotions to make your next contest a success.
For more insights, check out these helpful resources:
- What Makes a Successful Contest
- Photography Contest Tips
- How to Run an Online Contest as a Photographer
Ready to host your photography contest? Take the first step with a VIP demo of Wishpond and discover how their tools can elevate your contest from start to finish.
With the right strategy and tools, your online photography contest can become a platform for creativity, community, and meaningful engagement. Implement these ideas and watch your audience’s creativity shine.
FAQs
Q: How can I make my contest more engaging?
Include interactive elements like audience voting or social media hashtags. These tactics create a sense of community and encourage broader participation.
Q: What’s the best way to promote my contest?
Leverage social media platforms, email newsletters, and influencer partnerships to reach your target audience effectively.
Q: How do I choose winners reasonably?
Establish clear judging criteria, such as composition, creativity, and relevance to the theme. Alternatively, tools like Wishpond can be used to vote for the audience.
Q: Can I host a free contest?
You can run free contests, but consider using them to promote products or services. Monetize through sponsorships or by charging entry fees for advanced contests.
Q: How can I ensure high-quality submissions?
Provide clear rules, examples, and tips to guide participants. Offering tutorials can also help entrants improve their photography skills.
