Celebrating excellence in UK photographic education for over 40 Years
© Ruth McQuiggan. 2025 Finalist
The AOP Student Awards were established in the early 1980s, to recognise and highlight emerging photographic talent which existed in further education institutions across the UK. Many of the AOP Student Awards winners go on to become discovery winners as assisting photographers and then as professional photographers for our AOP Photography Awards, as we pride ourselves on nurturing talented photographers throughout their career.
Images featured are 2025 Winners & Finalists – see more here
Images featured are 2025 Winners & Finalists – see more here
Images featured are 2025 Winners & Finalists – see more here
For commercial work, please go to www.aneesaphotography.co.uk
Awards available for category GOLD & SILVER plus overall BEST IN SHOW
Entries are welcomed as:
Stills
A single image, or series of up to 4 images can be entered, created by a person.
Moving image
A piece of moving imagery up to 15 minutes in length, content is up to you but must demonstrate your understanding and skills within the medium. All entries in this category must reference whether the work is collaboration with another artist be it a director, editor, colour-grader, musician etc., or whether it’s the independent work of the photographer. You may wish to illustrate the creative use of technologies for example AR, VR, CGI or any other technique created by a person.
Innovation
You can enter works of innovation with an example of excellence that illustrates the creative use of technologies and innovations in the production of still images. This can be AR, VR, CGI or any other technique created by a person.
The majority of all elements of the work submitted must have been originated by a person (the Entrant). Any other elements incorporated must have been created under the express direction of the Entrant and all elements must have been created on or after 1 December 2024.
For Full Image Specifications please see points 7 & 8 in the 2026 AOP Student Awards Terms and Conditions
Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions in full to ensure your entry is within the competition guidelines and can be accepted.
Finalists’ entries will be displayed indefinitely on the AOP Awards website.
No copyright is transferred to the AOP in respect of any works entered or accepted
A tailored AOP Membership Package designed with your career path in mind, along with advice on advancing your business practice as a professional photographer awarded to the Best in Show winner.
This year we’re delighted to announce FUJIFILM UK are once again offering a generous prize to the ‘Best in Show’ winner – who will be able to claim £2500 worth of Fujifilm X Series cameras & lenses. [Prize winners are strictly prohibited from selling, transferring, or otherwise distributing the prize kits received as part of this competition for a period of 1 year from receiving the prize. Model X100VI is excluded from the competition.]]
In addition, CAPTURE ONE are offering – 1-year Capture One All in One subscription for all 3 category Gold winners (People, Place, Things), worth £274.00. For the Best in Show winner – 1-year Capture One Studio subscription, worth £499.00.
AOP Members receive discounted entry.
Gold and Silver winners, along with finalists, may also appear in a final Awards showcase event and also feature in the 41st AOP Photography Awards book.
© Emrys Thurgood – SILVER, Places 2025 AOP Student Awards
© Paul Winter, Ruth, Seaford Mermaids
The AOP Photography Awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the photography world. They celebrate excellence in the creative photography and image-making industry.
This is your chance to be seen by leading commissioners and names within the photographic industry.
Check out our 39th AOP Awards FINALISTS and WINNERS
