Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards 2026

Everyday Brisbane through the lens of local photographers

The finalist exhibition of the 2026 Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards brings together striking photographic works that capture the city’s spirit — from familiar streets and riverside scenes to the fleeting moments, routines and characters that make Brisbane feel like home.

Nigel Wesley. Shooting the breeze 2026. Open Category Second Place. Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards 2026. Image courtesy the artist.
Nigel Wesley. Shooting the breeze 2026. Open Category Second Place. Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards 2026. Image courtesy the artist.

New this year, the Brisbane Postcards Collection category invites photographers to showcase Brisbane’s charm and energy through images that locals recognise, and visitors instantly fall in love with. Selected winning works are now available as collectible postcards at MoB Shop.

For more information, visit the Brisbane City Council website.

Brisbane Airport Pop-Up | 3–31 August 2026 
Selected finalist works will also be on display at Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal for travellers and visitors to enjoy.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

May

Melbourne: Until March 2027. Rehearsing the City presents archival photographs from Victoria’s government collections, alongside new work by contemporary street photographers.

June

Sydney: Until 7 Feb 2027. From his archive of more than 200,000 images, Close Up celebrates the historic moments and pivotal people he famously captured.

Canberra: Until 6 Sept 2026. Trent Parke’s photographic series The Christmas tree bucket 2006–09 is a tender and darkly humorous portrayal of his extended family coming together to celebrate Christmas.

Melbourne: 6 June – 20 August 2026. Brook Andrew is an artist whose conceptual practice shifts across photography, performance, moving image, installation, public space and research, often through deep collaboration with artists, communities and friends.

Brisbane: until 18 October 2026. Known affectionately as the ‘Cool Cat of journalism’ Wayne moved effortlessly among the greats, between the media and community, treating every encounter as part of his day’s work behind the lens.

July

Melbourne: Until 30 Spetember 2026. Melbourne photographer Stefanie Wendler-Canning is inviting visitors to see one of the garden's most familiar flowers from an entirely different perspective in her new exhibition.

August

Melbourne: Until 15 November 2026. This exhibition will present the most comprehensive survey of the work of the eminent Hungarian-born, French photographer Brassaï yet to be seen in Australia.

Sydney: Until 13 September 2026. Devotion is an ongoing series by Sly Morikawa documenting Sanja Matsuri, the annual Shinto festival held in Tokyo’s Asakusa district.

Sydney: 24 August 2026 – 18 July 2027. Featuring almost 200 images and original prints personally selected by Dupain for magazine and book publishers, the exhibition reveals the extraordinary breadth of his work.

Australian photojournalist Andrew Quilty will share the story behind his remarkable career at a special presentation hosted by Kayell Australia in Sydney on August 26.