Most Photo Competitions Are a Scam

Choose wisely—or enjoy getting screwed.

There’s been an explosion of photography “awards” in recent years.
London, New York, Paris, Helsinki, Timbuktu—you name the city, someone’s built a website (usually the same people), slapped on a logo, added a few generic judges, and is now collecting your entry fee.

Pay to enter. Pay to get listed. Pay 185 USD for 10 credits (1 credit per photo) buy as many credits you want. And for what?

A digital certificate, a jpeg badge, and a dopamine hit you can post on Instagram for a couple dozen likes. It’s not about craft. It’s not about excellence.
It’s about selling the illusion of recognition—to photographers hungry for validation.

And yes, it feels good when you win something. That’s the trap. Because most of these competitions aren’t juried—they’re monetized. You’re not competing. You’re contributing… to someone else’s business model.

Here’s the thing

If you’re trying to impress serious photographers, serious editors, or serious collectors—none of them care that you were “commended finalist” in the Tokyo International Photo Awards or whatever.

These awards are designed to look impressive to people who don’t know better.

If you know that and still want in? Fine. I’m a bit allergic to photographers who write “award-winning photographer” in their Instagram bio or on their website. I just smile.
But hey—I preach you do you. Don’t give a f*ck what anyone else thinks. So do whatever feels right for you. Just don’t pretend it means anything to serious photographers.

There are exceptions.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year by the Natural History Museum in London? That one holds weight. Real curation. Real standards. Real history.
But most of the rest? You’re the squirrel. Who’s screwing who?—You do the math.

I’ve never entered a competition. Probably never will. And if I ever do, it won’t be the kind that takes your money and hands you a hollow ego boost in return.

Build a body of work instead. That’s harder.
But one day, you might get a nod from one of your heroes.
And that means more than any award ever could.