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.

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 September 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: 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.

September

Melbourne: Until 19 February 2027. Spanning 55 years from 1971, Chapman’s visual journey began aboard the ‘Green Bus’ from Elsternwick to Melbourne’s city centre – chronicling the evolution of Australian life along the way.

October

Perth: Until 31 January 2027. The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) presents No night is long enough for us to dream twice, a major exhibition of contemporary photography and video, bringing together more than 100 works by seven living artists and one artist duo from across South West Asia, North Africa and its many diasporas.