Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers encourages and promotes talented photographers in the early stages of their careers. This year, winners will share in a prize pool worth more than $30,000, including $9,000 in cash prizes. The best entries will be showcased online at www.capturemag.com.au in June 2027.
ABOUT AUSTRALASIA’S TOP EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Now in its 19th year, Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers is the region’s largest and most prestigious competition for early-career and aspiring photographers.
WHO CAN ENTER?
Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers is open to citizens and residents of Australia and New Zealand who have less than four years' professional photography experience, including amateurs. Category winners from Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers 2026 are not eligible to enter in 2027. Check the Terms and Conditions for more information.
IMAGE CREATION DATE RESTRICTIONS
Images must have been created on or after 1 June 2024. You can enter as many times as you like, but you can't enter images that have previously been entered in Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers.
PRICING AND DEADLINES
EARLY BIRD PRICING $25 per entry (ends Sunday 17 January 2027)
STANDARD PRICING $35 per entry (18 January to 21 February 2027)
LAST MINUTE PRICING $40 per entry (22 February to 21 March 2027)
Note: For the portfolio categories, the entry fee includes all images in the portfolio.
Entries close: 11.59pm AEDT Sunday 21 March 2027.
CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONCE?
Yes, you can enter as many times, in as many categories, as you like.
IMAGE MANIPULATION
Please check the Terms and Conditions for detailed information about the post-production techniques that may be used in each category.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Every image you enter must be a real photograph, captured with a camera (digital, film or phone) by you. Images created or edited with generative AI – any tool that adds, removes, replaces or extends parts of your photo, or creates an image from a text prompt – may not be entered. AI noise reduction, sharpening, masking, upscaling and dust removal are allowed, as long as your image still faithfully represents the photograph you captured.
We may ask to see your original files, including RAW files and frames taken before and after your image, to confirm its authenticity.
PORTFOLIO AND SINGLE-IMAGE CATEGORIES
Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers has seven portfolio categories and two single-image categories.
Portfolio categories
The following categories require the submission of multiple images:
• Animals. Enter a portfolio of three images.
• Black & White. Enter a portfolio of three images.
• Documentary. Enter a portfolio of four images.
• Landscape. Enter a portfolio of three images.
• People. Enter a portfolio of three images.
• Sport/Action. Enter a portfolio of three images.
• Travel. Enter a portfolio of three images.
Judges are looking for portfolios that work together cohesively as a series. You should aim to submit images that relate to each other on some level, whether it be narratively, aesthetically or thematically. You can find tips from our judges on how to improve your chances in the competition here.
Single-image categories
• Single Shot (1 image). Please enter one image only.
• Art (1 image). Please enter one image only.
IMAGE PREPARATION
• Images should be in JPEG (.jpg) format. sRGB colour space is sufficient.
• Ideally, images should be 2,500 pixels on the longest side.
• Individual images must be no larger than 5MB.
• If you find an image has not uploaded correctly, please e-mail us at: emergingphotographer@capturemag.com.au
• Please ensure images are free of watermarks and added text. Text and logos photographed within a scene are allowed. Images with watermarks or added text will not be shortlisted.
• Do not include borders or digital frames.
• You may enter multiple categories, and/or the same category multiple times.
JUDGES
Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers will be judged by a panel of leading photographers from Australia and around the world. All entries are de-identified before judging, so judges never see entrants' names. The 2027 judging panel will be announced in January 2027.
PRIZES
In 2027 the total prize pool for Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers is valued at more than $30,000, including $9,000 in cash prizes. Click here for more details.
RECOGNITION
Winners, runners-up, and top-ranked portfolios will be announced online at www.capturemag.com.au in June 2027. Also in June, Winners, Runners-Up, Top 10, Top 20, Top 30, Highly Commended, and Commended photographers will be notified via e-mail of their placing in the competition, with an attached digital certificate (like the one below) noting their achievement in the competition.
MADE A MISTAKE?
If you make a mistake with your entry (eg. you upload the incorrect image, submit an entry to the wrong category, or make a typo) drop us an e-mail explaining the problem and we'll fix it for you.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please check the terms and conditions for Australasia's Top Emerging Photographers before entering.
. Photowatchdog is the advocate for fair photo competitions in Australia.
. Photowatchdog is the advocate for fair photo competitions in Australia.
