Berlin photo awards
Boost your visibility and showcase your work to a passionate audience with the Berlin Photo Awards.
Winners receive cash prizes, trophies, and prestigious awards, plus digital certificates and endorsements.
Grand Prize: €1,000 for the top winner
Category Winners: €100 each for all category winners
Grand Prize: Photographer of the Year
Category Winners: Top Photographer in Each Category
Winning works will be showcased in the official winners exhibition at ERSTERERSTER Gallery, giving photographers international exposure.
Winning photographs will be featured in the Berlin Photo Awards Digital Winners Photobook.
All winners and honorable mentions receive: digital certificates, international recognition and promotion, publication on the website
The Berlin Photo Awards 2026 invites photographers to submit work across thoughtfully curated categories – from portraits and landscapes to street, documentary, fine art, and more.
Whether you focus on people, nature, urban life, or experimental techniques, share your vision and be part of a global celebration of photography.
Your work will be reviewed by an international panel of eight renowned Berlin-based photographers and visual creators who are recognized industry leaders and continue to push the boundaries of contemporary photography.
Their diverse backgrounds and professional experience ensure that every submission is evaluated with care, fairness, and a deep understanding of both artistic vision and technical excellence.
Thomas Kakareko
Photographer and Creative Consultant
Photographer and Creative Consultant with over 15 years of experience in visual storytelling, brand communication, and content strategy. Working internationally with a focus on travel, culture, and brand projects.
Jörg Nicht
Travel and Street Photographer
My name is Jörg and I have lived in Berlin for 33 years, working as a photographer both in Berlin and worldwide. For me, cameras and photography are a way of seeing the world and of learning to observe. I am particularly interested in change and motion within urban environments. I explore the relationship between people and architecture, looking at how buildings and spaces can influence human behaviour and vice versa. When travelling, I also take lots of photographs of places, people and the journey itself.
Ezgi Polat
Photographer, Videographer, and Creative Director
Ezgi Polat is a Berlin-based photographer, videographer, and creative director working at the intersection of art, editorial photography, and visual concept development.
With a background in photographic studies, she has developed a distinctive visual language that combines conceptual thinking with technical precision. Her work spans portrait, documentary, still life, and staged photography, with a strong focus on atmosphere, light, and clear visual composition. As a juror, she values visual originality, conceptual clarity, and strong craftsmanship.
Yuto Yamada
Berlin Photographer / Videographer
Yuto Yamada was born and raised in Tokyo. In 2013, he moved his base of activities to Berlin, shortly thereafter he started his career as a photographer and video creator. He also incorporates his skills as a graphic designer for editing his photography which helps him create a unique image of his vision and nominated as an Adobe Lightroom Ambassador. In recent years, he has been passionately photographing across Japan to share the beauty of Japan to the world.
Marcello Zerletti
Freelance Photographer and Photography Coach
My name is Marcello Zerletti. I was born an raised in Berlin. I started taking an interest in photography in 2010, thanks to that Nikon D5000 from my father in law, I played around with flowers and animals – now I’m here. Within these years photography has shown me a way of mindful perception of my environment – a way of looking at things that I don’t want to miss anymore.
A perception that I want to make accessible to people. Be it in digital form on social media, in exhibitions or prints, in campaigns for brands or in personal form during workshops and coachings. Going outside with my camera in the very early morning, getting up when everything is asleep and capture what would otherwise have remained invisible, simply makes me feel complete.
Alina Rudya
Photographer / Founder of Bell Collective
Alina Rudya is a Berlin-based photographer specializing in travel, lifestyle, and documentary photography. She works for commercial clients as well as international publications.
Her style is characterized by bold colors, a deliberate play with light, and an atmospheric visual language. In addition to her photographic work, she is a mentor, gives workshops, and holds lectures. She is also the founder of Bell Collective, a network for female creatives.
Patrick Noack
Berlin Photographer
I am Patrick Noack, a photographer based in Berlin, specializing in urban, street, travel, landscape, and automotive photography. For me, photography is both passion and expression: through light, perspective, and composition, I tell stories and capture authentic moments.
Whether on the streets of Berlin, traveling the world, or staging automobiles, my images combine authenticity, emotion, and aesthetics. For corporate and private clients, I create tailored photography projects ranging from campaigns and editorials to high-end online presentations.
Tejasvi Gala
Wedding & Portrait Photographer
I’m Tejasvi, a photographer born in Mumbai, raised in Miami, and now based in Berlin. I’m a storyteller with a cinematic & raw style of photography. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me, the pockets of light, interesting compositions, and the moments that happen in between that usually go unnoticed. My work is intimate, atmospheric, and intentionally imperfect in the best way. I photograph people, places, and connections, telling stories from all over the world!
Submissions are officially open.
Photographers worldwide are invited to submit
their strongest work across all categories.
Don't miss out - Early bird (10% off)
Use code: earlybird2026
You can submit multiple photos – even across different categories.
Each additional photo or category entry receives an automatic 10% discount, making it easier to showcase your full range of work.
Super Early Bird (15% off): until 25th April 2026
Early Bird (10% off): until 25th April 2026
Final Deadline: 27th June 2026
Winners Announced: 25th July 2026
Register for free to access your personal dashboard and manage your submissions.
Select the category that best fits your work -from people and nature to urban and experimental.
Upload your photo, add a title and short description, category and finalize your entry. You're in!
4.000 €
Award: 1.000 € Cash Prize
The top distinction at the Berlin Photo Awards. Your winning photo will be showcased for a full year on the homepage and in the Winners’ Gallery, receiving the highest level of visibility and international recognition. This includes monthly features, global press outreach, and a lasting presence in the photography community.
Award: 100 € Cash Prize per Category
Each category winner will be awarded 100 €, along with a year-long feature on the front page and in the Winners’ Gallery. These works gain continued exposure through curated showcases and media features, increasing your reach among curators, clients, and peers.
Global Exposure
Recognition
Gain extensive exposure, recognition, and credibility. All winners will be featured internationally. Your work will be showcased across a network of respected platforms, offering significant visibility to a broad audience. Through strategic promotions, your art will be seen by key figures in the industry, including potential collaborators and collectors. This international exposure will strengthen your reputation within the photography community and open new avenues for professional connections and growth.
Career Growth
Achieve New Heights
Winning this award goes beyond prestige; it can be a transformative step in your professional journey. The acknowledgment from industry experts not only builds your reputation but also paves the way for exciting new opportunities, such as gallery exhibitions, collaborative projects, and broader professional networks. This prestigious milestone marks the beginning of greater visibility and lasting impact, encouraging your creative evolution and long-term success.
Discover the inspiring photographers whose vision and creativity captured the essence of this year’s competition.
Immerse yourself in the stunning imagery of the BPA 2025 winners and honorable mentions with our official photobook!
We are proud to collaborate with leading organizations and brands that share our passion for celebrating creativity and excellence in photography.
The Berlin Photo Awards invites photographers from all backgrounds – professionals, amateurs, and students – to participate in our renowned international competition. We are on the lookout for bold, innovative work that challenges the boundaries of traditional photography and explores new artistic realms.
With categories that embrace a wide spectrum of styles and approaches, participants have the freedom to submit their most compelling creations, unrestricted in creativity or format. Our mission is to highlight emerging talent and elevate the medium of photography as a fine art, celebrating its vital role in contemporary culture.
By entering the Berlin Photo Awards, you will gain global exposure and the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes. We are dedicated to supporting photographers on their creative journeys, offering a platform that brings their work into the spotlight and connects them with the international art community.
Join us in celebrating the power of photography and share your vision with the world. We look forward to experiencing your unique perspective!
