Resource: Photo Contests and Grants Calendar

Photography Contests and Grants Calendar for 2025

Photography offers many opportunities to showcase your talent and receive support through contests and grants. Below is a curated list of key photography contests and grants for 2025, including specific grants aimed at documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous.

Major International Grants

Magnum Foundation Fund

  • Amount: Project-based funding (varies)

  • Focus: In-depth documentary projects addressing critical social issues

  • Eligibility: Priority given to photographers from underrepresented regions and communities

  • Deadline: Various

  • URL: https://www.magnumfoundation.org/programs

  • Note: Particularly supportive of innovative approaches to documentary storytelling

National Geographic Storytelling Grants

  • Amount: Up to $30,000

  • Focus: Projects documenting cultures, species, and critical issues facing our world

  • Eligibility: Open to photographers worldwide with proven ability to complete complex projects

  • Deadline: Rolling throughout 2025

  • URL: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/funding-opportunities/grants/

  • Note: Emphasis on projects with clear conservation, scientific, or cultural impact

The Eugene Smith Grant

  • Amount: $40,000 (main grant), plus several $5,000 fellowships

  • Focus: Humanistic photography projects that follow in the tradition of W. Eugene Smith

  • Eligibility: Open to photographers worldwide

  • Deadline: April 2025

  • URL: https://www.smithfund.org/eugene-smith-grant

  • Note: One of the most prestigious documentary photography grants globally

The Alexia Foundation Grant

  • Amount: Professional grant $20,000, Student grant $1,000

  • Focus: Projects that promote world peace and cultural understanding

  • Eligibility: Professional and student categories

  • Deadline: January 2025

  • URL: https://www.alexiafoundation.org/grants

  • Note: Strong emphasis on social justice and human rights photography

Grants for Underrepresented Photographers

Women Photograph + Nikon Grants

  • Amount: Five grants of $5,000 each

  • Focus: Long-term documentary projects from women and non-binary photographers

  • Eligibility: Women and non-binary photographers with at least 5 years of experience

  • Deadline: May 2025

  • URL: https://www.womenphotograph.com/grants

  • Note: Additional mentorship opportunities available

Indigenous Photographer Fund

  • Amount: $10,000

  • Focus: Documentary projects by Indigenous photographers about their communities

  • Eligibility: Indigenous photographers worldwide

  • Deadline: October 2025

  • URL: https://www.nativephotographers.org/opportunities

  • Note: Includes mentorship component with established Indigenous photographers

Black Women Photographers Grant

  • Amount: $5,000

  • Focus: Documentary and editorial projects

  • Eligibility: Black women and non-binary photographers

  • Deadline: March 2025

  • URL: https://www.blackwomenphotographers.com/grant

  • Note: Includes portfolio review and mentorship opportunities

The Serendipity Arles Grant

  • Amount: €5,000

  • Focus: Documentary and contemporary photography

  • Eligibility: South Asian women photographers

  • Deadline: August 2025

  • URL: https://serendipity.gallery/arles-grant

  • Note: Includes exhibition opportunity at Rencontres d'Arles


Notable Documentary Photography Contests

World Press Photo Contest

  • Prize: Various monetary awards plus worldwide exhibition

  • Categories: Contemporary Issues, Environment, General News, Long-Term Projects, Nature, Portraits, Sports, Spot News

  • Deadline: January 2025

  • URL: https://www.worldpressphoto.org/contests

  • Note: Most prestigious photojournalism contest globally

Pictures of the Year International (POYi)

  • Categories: Multiple documentary and news categories

  • Eligibility: Professional photojournalists

  • Deadline: January 2025

  • URL: https://www.poy.org/competition

  • Note: One of the oldest and most respected photojournalism competitions

The Aftermath Project Grant

  • Amount: $25,000

  • Focus: Documentary projects exploring post-conflict stories

  • Deadline: February 2025

  • URL: https://theaftermathproject.org/

  • Note: Particularly interested in under-reported aftermath stories

Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grants

  • Amount: Ranging from $5,000 to $20,000

  • Focus: Supporting photographers dedicated to capturing environmental issues and solutions

  • Eligibility: Photographers deeply connected to and documenting within their local communities

  • Deadline: Not specified in the available information

  • URL: https://vitalimpacts.org/pages/the-vital-impacts-environmental-photography-grant

  • Note: Seven grants are named after exemplary environmental leaders, aiming to support solution-oriented environmental stories.

Fine Art Grants That Support Documentary Work

Light Work Grants

  • Amount: $3,000

  • Focus: Photography and digital media projects

  • Eligibility: Residents of New York State (outside NYC)

  • Deadline: April 2025

  • URL: https://www.lightwork.org/grants

  • Note: Strong history of supporting documentary projects

Aperture Portfolio Prize

  • Prize: $3,000 and exhibition

  • Focus: Contemporary photography across all genres

  • Eligibility: International, emerging photographers

  • Deadline: January 2025

  • URL: https://aperture.org/portfolio-prize

  • Note: Often awards documentary and socially engaged work


CENTER Santa Fe's Photography Grants

Project Launch Grant

  • Amount: $5,000

  • Focus: Career-launching opportunity for photographers with a completed project

  • Eligibility: International photographers

  • Deadline: March 2025

  • URL: https://centersantafe.org/launchgrant

Project Development Grant

Excellence in Teaching Award

Additional Resources


Emergency Grants

The following organizations offer emergency funding for photojournalists in crisis or needing rapid project support:

Mentorship Programs

Note: All deadlines are subject to change. Always check the official websites for the most current information and application requirements.

(Updated February 2025)

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Did you know that an editor can help you home in on the right images for contests and grants?

An objective, outside opinion and fresh look at work can help you craft a contest or grant entry that connects with the judges.

I've created contest edits for numerous photographers who went on to win World Press Photo, POYi, Communication Arts, and other major awards.

Photography Portfolio Website Products

Updated January 2025

Photography Portfolio Website Products Compared - 2025 Edition

Looking for the right platform to showcase your photography? After building hundreds of photographer websites over the years, I've learned what works (and what doesn't) for different types of photographers. Here's my honest take on the top portfolio platforms in 2025 - from user-friendly options like Format to more customizable solutions like Wordpress.

Top picks for beautiful sites
that are easy to update and maintain

Squarespace

Format

Description: Format is a leading choice for professional photographers, offering a user-friendly interface and customizable templates that make it easy to create a professional portfolio.
Pricing: Starts at $6/month
Details: Format

See portfolios I built on Format here and here.

Squarespace

Format

Description: Squarespace offers sleek, design-forward templates that help photographers create visually appealing, professional portfolios.
Pricing: Starts at $12/month
Details: Squarespace

See portfolios I built on Squarespace here, here and here.

RUNNERS UP

PhotoFolio

PhotoFolio

Description: PhotoFolio provides high-quality templates designed to showcase images with maximum visual impact, perfect for commercial photographers.
Pricing: Starts at $17/month
Details: PhotoFolio.

See portfolios I built on Photofolio here and here.

Adobe Portfolio

Photoshelter

Photoshelter

Description: Adobe Portfolio integrates seamlessly with Adobe Creative Cloud, ideal for photographers using tools like Lightroom and Photoshop.
Pricing: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
Details: Adobe Portfolio

Photoshelter

Description: Photoshelter is known for its archive management, e-commerce capabilities, and client proofing tools, making it ideal for photographers with large portfolios.
Pricing: Starts at $10/month
Details: Photoshelter

See a portfolio I built using Photoshelter here.

Cargo Collective

Description: Cargo Collective provides unique, highly customizable templates, ideal for photographers seeking an artistic portfolio.
Pricing: $99/year or $13/month
Details: Cargo Collective

Honorable Mentions

SmugMug

Description: SmugMug offers comprehensive solutions for portfolio presentation, eCommerce, and print fulfillment, along with robust security and storage.
Pricing: Starts at $9/month
Details: SmugMug

Zenfolio

Description: Zenfolio is tailored for professional photographers needing an all-in-one platform for showcasing, selling, and delivering work with strong client proofing tools. Pricing: Starts at $25/year
Details: Zenfolio

Pixpa

Description: Pixpa offers an all-in-one platform with portfolio, store, blog, and client galleries, making it versatile for managing various aspects of a photography business. Pricing: Starts at $7/month
Details: Pixpa

Carbonmade

Description: Carbonmade is a drag-and-drop portfolio builder with creative and modern designs, ideal for photographers seeking a simple yet stylish portfolio.
Pricing: Plans start at $8/month
Details: Carbonmade

Semplice

Description: Semplice, built on WordPress, offers extensive customization options, making it a great choice for photographers who want a unique portfolio.
Pricing: One-time fee starting at $149
Details: Semplice

Cargo

Description: Cargo combines professional portfolio capabilities with artistic freedom, offering highly flexible and customizable design options.
Pricing: $99/year or $13/month
Details: Cargo

If you’re looking for complete control

WordPress

Description: WordPress offers unlimited customization and functionality through themes and plugins. While it requires more technical knowledge or help from a developer, it provides complete control over your site's design and features. Popular photography themes include Flothemes and ProPhoto.
Pricing: WordPress itself is free, but you'll need hosting ($5-30/month) plus theme costs ($15-150 on average). Many photographers budget $500-1000 for initial setup.
Details: WordPress.org

Pros:

  • Complete control over design and functionality

  • Powerful blogging capabilities

  • Strong SEO features

  • One-time theme purchase vs monthly fees

  • Large developer community

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve

  • Requires regular maintenance and updates

  • Need separate hosting

  • Security responsibilities

  • Can be overwhelming for non-technical users

Let me know if you have others that you like using!

Looking for a professional to not only curate your best images but also build your photography portfolio website? I specialize in creating stunning, user-friendly sites on platforms like Squarespace, Format, 22Slides, and PhotoFolio.

Whether you need elegant galleries, e-commerce capabilities, or seamless client proofing, I’ve got you covered from start to finish. Let’s craft a site that not only showcases your work but also elevates your brand. Contact me today to get started on your custom portfolio!

Photography Portfolio Reviews: Expert Tips to Help you Prepare

As someone who's been attending and producing portfolio reviews for 15+ years, I've seen what works and what doesn't. While portfolio reviews can offer valuable feedback, they're just one piece of the puzzle in building a successful photography career.

First, let's talk about maximizing a review if you decide to attend one:

DO

Be honest with yourself about if you are really ready to show the work. Maybe you need another year of shooting before you start showing your book to art buyers, art directors and photo editors. You only get one chance at a first impression, don't rush it if it's not the right time. Ask people who you trust for their honest opinion.

Research your reviewers and make sure that your work is relevant to what they do. You have 15-20 minutes, often with some pretty influential and powerful creatives in the industry, don't waste it. Would you roll up to a job interview without knowing anything about the company?

Have a purpose for each review and communicate that purpose to the reviewer when you sit down. Example: "I've been following your magazine for years and feel my work would fit in. Do you think I'm ready to shoot for you, and if not, what needs improvement?"  Or, "I would love get feedback on the book and recommendations for colleagues in the industry who may respond to my style of work." Or, "This is a new personal project that I'm working on, would love to know if you think it's ready to show to galleries."

Come armed with 1 or 2 specific questions that are pertinent to your reviewer's area of expertise.

Do bring the actual portfolio that you intend to show to clients. Hopefully the reviewers you meet with are also potential clients. They're not going to give you a pass because you intend, later on, to make a better book. So don't bring a hastily thrown together book and then say that you are going to change it later. The whole point of the portfolio review is to get feedback and how can someone give you good feedback if what they are looking at isn't what you really want to show?

Make sure your prints look great. This is especially important when seeing galleries.

Leave behind a well-printed leave behind. Invest in a graphic designer to help you create something that looks professional. Just because you know Photoshop doesn't mean you are a designer. If you are seeing a dream client, kick it up a notch and leave something more unique than a postcard. However, keep in mind that not everyone will want a promo. See below.

Keep notes. By the end of a long day, all the reviews can start to blend together. Make a separate page for each reviewer and mark down which images they pointed out liking, where they paused a bit longer, what questions they had about your work and specific feedback they gave you. You may also want to record audio of each meeting, if the reviewer is cool with that.

DON'T

Don't default to an iPad presentation. An iPad is not necessarily the best way to show still photography.  The glare in some rooms makes it very hard to see the photos, especially if your images tend to be dark. I often find myself looking at my own reflection instead of the photos.

Also, unless the iPad presentation is really slick, it can feel like not enough care was put into the portfolio. I mean, let's admit it, how hard is it to create a folder of images for someone to flip through? When I see a beautifully printed portfolio, it lends the photographer some legitimacy, makes them at least appear to have invested a lot of time and effort into their work, all which helps me take them more seriously.

Everyone spends so much time on their phones now, consuming an almost endless stream of imagery. It doesn’t feel as unique to be swipe through an iPad. Print feels special.

All that said, pay attention to your budget and don’t spend the extra money on printing if you can’t afford it.

Don't force your leave behind on the reviewer. Some people flew in for the event and may not want to tote a bunch of promos and books back. Or they may feel it's environmentally wasteful and rather not have the extra 'stuff' in their lives. Or they just may not have liked your work enough to want to take a promo. Ask if they'd like a card, but don't push it. Also don't just offer a huge and bulky leave behind. If you want to make something big, it's also nice to offer something small like a postcard.

Don't make excuses. Popular examples include: "I didn't bring my strongest work." "I didn't have time to put together much, but this should give you an idea." or "I just found out about this event."

Don't argue with constructive criticism The people looking at your work know what they are talking about. They may all have different opinions, but that is valid considering that people come from different backgrounds and that visual art is very subjective. You may not agree with someone, and that is ok, but don't tell them that they are wrong.

 

Want to get ready for a portfolio review?

Contact me to learn how we can fine tune your portfolio, create a great promo and get the most out of the time and money you're investing.

Photographers and creatives gather at the Texas Photo Roundup Portfolio Reviews in Austin, TX.

Photos by David Weaver.

New Orleans Photo Alliance's PhotoNOLA portfolio review session. Photo by George Long http://GeorgeLong.com (used with permission)
New Orleans Photo Alliance's PhotoNOLA portfolio review session. Photo by George Long http://GeorgeLong.com (used with permission)
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New Orleans Photo Alliance's PhotoNOLA portfolio review session at the International House Hotel conference facility.

Photos by George Long

Lauren Edith Andersen Website

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Lauren and I recently completed updating her website: http://laurenedith.com/. We reworked her galleries to emphasize her mix of interiors and spaces, with a focus on California and it's indoor/outdoor lifestyle. I love the way it came out, and now have some serious wanderlust for a trip to Northern California.

Check out the beautiful photos of the factory where handmade wallpaper is crafted (in the Work, Shop gallery). Stunning!

Texas Photo Roundup

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It's been three years (!) since the last Texas Photo Roundup, an event that I co-produced for four years with the talented, hard-working photographers Kimberly Davis and Matthew Mahon. Would I ever do it again? Well, I'm not sure. It's a TON of work but also incredibly satisfying work. Bringing together art buyers, photo editors and photographers from around the country was an amazing experience that reminded me of why I love the photo community.

Over the four years we produced a wide variety of events, including workshops, portfolio reviews, lectures, gallery talks and silent auctions.

Photographers who spoke or taught included:

Dan Winters
Chris Buck
Wyatt McSpadden
Stephanie Rausser
Andy Anderson
Randal Ford
Larry Fink

Portfolio Reviewers included esteemed professionals from a wide range of ad agencies, magazines, and museums, including:

AFAR
BBDO
Bloomberg
Charles Schwab
emdash
Esquire
Food Network
Garden & Gun
GSD&M
Harry Ransom Center
Integer
McGarrah Jessee
The New Yorker
The New York Times Magazine
Ogilvy
Olson
Pace Communications
Razorfish
Southern Living
Texas Monthly
Wired and more...!

Check out some of the photos and videos from the events.

Photos by David Weaver and Dennis Burnett. Videos by Dennis Burnett and Stephanie Rausser.

Great Promo Ideas

Looking for some self-promo inspiration?

Check out my pinterest board of great photography promo ideas. From large-format newspaper promos to simple postcards, this board features examples of great design and image choices.

Have something you'd like to add? Contact me!

Other great resources include:

 

Want to make a cool promo that will grab clients' attention? 

Kari Medig

Nelson, BC-based Kari Medig recently reached out to me for a website update. We have worked together before and I always enjoy seeing his new work. He has a beautiful approach to portraiture, capturing people in their environments in a way that gives the viewer a deeper understanding of the subject. His work has appeared in Outside, AFAR, Monocle, Telegraph Magazine, The Atlantic, The Globe and Mail and he has shot commercially for Google, Rogers Wireless and The North Face.

Buff Strickland Portfolio

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Buff Strickland is an Austin-based lifestyle photographer with a great talent for creating upbeat, bright and natural-feeling images. Her work is sought after by editorial and commercial clients who want to tell stories and highlight products in a genuine, yet aspirational, way. Buff and I worked together to create a new print portfolio edit of her work. The book was made by Scott Mullenberg of Mullenberg Design Studio. Buff showed the new book at the Texas Photo Roundup portfolio reviews, and received great feedback from the art buyers and photo editors in attendance.

 

Whitney Curtis Web Portfolio

Whitney Curtis Website Portfolio

Whitney Curtis, a  St. Louis-based documentary photographer, contacted me to help her revamp her website with a new look and a new edit. We focused on organizing her work into themes, while also featuring a few specific stories. One story that really stood out to me was her coverage, as a local, of the events in Ferguson. We created diptychs for that gallery while leaving the others as full size single images. The pairing of images helps illustrate the tension and the quiet moments Whitney observed as a local. Being able to cover a story for many months, instead of just coming in and covering it for a few days or weeks gave her a unique perspective.

Whitney brings that same eye to her corporate and non-profit work documenting NGOs and educators.

See more at http://www.whitneycurtis.com

Matt Roth Portfolio

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Matt Roth is a Baltimore-based editorial and commercial photographer with a penchant for capturing the mildly absurd side of everyday life. We worked together on creating a print portfolio that he could show at portfolio reviews in New York City. I'm loving the mix of portraits and documentary work, and how Matt's sense of comedic timing pulls it all together.

 

 

 

Buff Strickland Promo

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Buff Strickland, an Austin-based lifestyle photographer, has published a beautiful magazine-inspired promo full of images of how people live, love, work and create. With modern and elegant typography throughout, the piece showcases Buff's aesthetic which is warm, inviting and authentic.

This was my third photo editing project with Buff, after having built a print portfolio for her and updated her website over the last two years. It's always really satisfying to work with someone repeatedly over time, as I get to see their work grow and change.

Specs:

Designed by Nicole Fikes of Merry Design Studio 36 pages, cover stock weight Printed by Ginny's in Austin, TX

 

 

Kristina Krug Website Update

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I had the pleasure of collaborating with Nashville-based commercial and editorial photographer Kristina Krug. Kristina's work is all about people. She has a great skill at connecting with people, making them feel comfortable and showing the diversity and beauty of humanity. Her ability to capture the upbeat and the somber moments with equal finesse became the foundation for the website update.

Big Weekend Calendar

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I've had the pleasure of working with Austin-based Big Weekend Calendars for the past 2 years. The hard working team of designers, editors and photographers create a unique product highlighting all the best events in town. This year we also produced a Houston and Portland, Oregon calendar. I serve as photo editor for these publications, setting up shoots, researching and licensing stock photography, and working with the editorial team on the content for the publication. For the 2015 calendars I worked extensively with Austin-based Sarah Lim, Houston-based Todd Spoth, as well as various stock photo agencies and independent photographers.