"Should I enter photographic competitions?” As a professional photographer, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at some point in your career. Maybe you are looking to take your photography skills to the next level, earn some recognition, or make just new connections within your community.  

The International Photographic Competition is a great place to improve your technical and creative skills as a photographer, and there is still time to enter your best images! Entering is a great way to potentially win large cash prizes and beyond a doubt you'll improve your photography and stretch outside your comfort zone too!

Here's why we think you should take some time to enter the International Photographic Competition before the September 12 deadline.

Gain Exposure and Win Prizes

Who doesn't like a little recognition for their work? The International Photographic Competition is a bracket-style image competition, judged live at Imaging USA, PPA’s premier 3-day photography conference. The live competition is exhilarating, with images projected on screens for spectators to see, a live emcee, and a cheering crowd full of your photography peers.

A total of $26,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to photographers. For each of the 16 image categories, 16 diamond photographers will be awarded a $1,000 check and trophy. The winner of the competition will take home the Grand Imaging Award, the trophy and check for $10,000! 

Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone 

Competitions provide photographers with the perfect avenue to dive into their personal projects with a renewed sense of discipline. Preparing images for entry will have you viewing your work from a new light, consulting your mentors, and looking for areas to improve. When you do this, you’ll discover the areas where you could grow and step outside of your comfort zone. 

Improve Your Photography

Engaging in competition with other skilled photographers will motivate you to refine your skillset and explore new creative horizons. The challenge of meeting competition standards will motivate you to explore new techniques and perhaps even diversify your subject material! There are 16 different image categories in the IPC, so there is sure to be one that you will excel in! 

The judging process evaluates images based on four key criteria: Composition, Impact, Style, and Technical Excellence. These criteria are integral to the broader 12 Elements of a Merit Image, which PPA photographers use as a blueprint to improve their skills. 

Through competition, you’ll gain insights, share experiences, and be a part of making history in the photographic industry! There's no better way to hone your craft and improve your images than by entering work into the International Photographic Competition (IPC)! Discover the different entry categories, brush up on the rules of the competition, and submit your best work before the September 12 deadline.