Head On Perth

For the first time in its history, Head On Photo Festival is expanding its footprint to Western Australia, with an outdoor and indoor festival program running from Sunday 1 February to Sunday 1 March 2026.

Set to take over the Northbridge Piazza in early 2026, the festival’s arrival signals a significant moment for the WA arts scene. To celebrate the expansion, organisers have announced the inaugural WA Life Photo Awards, a competition inviting local photographers to capture the true spirit of the West.

Perth by Johannes Reinhart
Perth by Johannes Reinhart

Festival organisers are calling for entries that go 'beyond the postcard'. While Western Australia is famous for its turquoise beaches, mining and quokkas, Head On is seeking a deeper narrative – from the red dirt of the Kimberley to the urban energy of the Perth CBD.

"We want to see your interpretation of life in the West," the festival stated. "Whether it’s street photography, portraiture, landscape, or conceptual, we are looking for work that captures the essence of life here."

Fifteen finalists will have their work professionally produced and exhibited during the first-ever Head On Photo Festival Perth, running from 1 February to 1 March 2026.

The prize pool includes $1,500 cash for the Overall Winner. For Runners-up and a Youth Winner there are $500 vouchers from Camera. Entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including Tace Stephens, Connie Petrillo, and festival director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM.

Winners will be revealed at the historic festival launch at 7PM on Saturday, 31 January 2026.

Entries for the WA Life Photo Awards are open now and close on Sunday, 11 January 2026.

You can find out more on the Head On Foundation website.

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 – 30 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.

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: 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.

Brisbane: Until 1 November 2026. 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.

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.