AOP Photography Awards

The 38th AOP Photography Awards are open to all AOP Accredited Photographer and Assisting Photographer members.

© Todd Antony 

Entries open – Noon 13 January 2023 
Entries close – 17:00 Tuesday 2 May 2023

The AOP Photography Awards are known as the ‘Oscars’ of the photography world. They celebrate excellence in the creative photography and image-making industry.

Finalists for the 38th AOP Photography Awards will be revealed in 2023 with Gold and Silver winners announced live at the AOP Annual Showcase event in September 2023, where their winning entries will also be exhibited at the Showcase, along with selected finalists.

NEW

  • The 38th AOP Photography Awards will include one new Award category – Spaces.
  • We will also be introducing two new Award nominations, to be considered from all the selected finalists
    • Best Commissioned Work and
    • Best Personal Work.
  • To commemorate his contribution to the photography industry and in particular the advancement of Digital Retouching we will also be launching the Martin Evening Technical Excellence Award.  More details to follow.

    This is an opportunity to be seen by leading commissioners and names within the photographic industry and not to be missed. As in previous years, stills, moving image & innovation can now be entered into each category.

    All images must have been created or published as new from 2021 with the exception of the Project category which has no date limitation but must be a proven ongoing project.


    Note: Images previously entered into any AOP Awards or Project will be not accepted.  

  • You can enter a single or series (2-5) of images
  • You can enter a piece of moving imagery up to 7 minutes in length, demonstrating your understanding and skills within the medium. All moving image entries must reference whether the work is a 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 other techniques created by a person
  • 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.
  • You can enter commissioned or personal work in all categories of stills photography and short form film.
  • You can win Gold and Silver in each category.
  • Finalists can credit industry-wide representatives involved in the 38th AOP Awards Book. These can include those commissioning the entry, delivering the production of the work, some of the equipment brands used, and other useful information, such as whether the work was produced in a sustainable way and who with. These details will be requested when Finalists announced.

Categories

Hicks_Samuel_1267_919
© Samuel Hicks

Lifestyle

Judged By:

Kirstie Johnstone

(She/Her) Creative Production Partner, AMV BBDO

Louis Cubbon

M&C Saatchi

Fictional / staged photography and short form film reflecting lifestyle scenarios, that illustrate or promote brands, corporations, products, and ideas.

Portrait

Judged By:

Suki Dhanda

Photographer

Jason Baron

Photography and Visuals Lead at Comic Relief

Eva Eicker

Photography curator and writer

Photography and short form film where the subject, human or animal, is the primary focus of the image.

FIND a 7 (2)
© Orlando Gili
FIND a 7
© Michael Wharley

Documentary

Judged By:

Christopher Anderson

Magnum Photographer

Ivy Lahon

Head of Creative and Content, Save the Children

Sarah Gilbert

Features Picture Editor, Guardian News & Media

Factual / observational photography and short form film documenting real-life that informs or promotes ideals. Includes photojournalism and reportage photography.

Environment

Judged By:

Klaus Thymann

Photographer

Amy Grant

Head of Content and Creative, Friends of The Earth

Photography and short form film where the overall situation or location is the primary focus of the image. Includes urban, outdoors, environmental and natural landscape photography.

FIND a 7 (1)
© Tony Gale
FIND A 8
© Robert J Wilson

Still life + Object

Judged By:

Robin Broadbent

Photographer

Cherie Frederico

Director at Aesthetica Magazine

Sarah Williams

Co-Founder Darklight Art

Photography and short form film where still life or objects are the primary focus of the image. This can be any type of object in any place.

Food + Drink

Judged By:

David Loftus

Photographer

Alex Durbridge

Founder and Creative Leader, Friends (and Family)

Photography and short form film where food or drink is the primary focus of the image.

FIND A 8 (1)
© Catherine Losing
FIND A 8 (2)
© Rocio Chacon

Fashion + Beauty

Judged By:

Rachell Smith

Photographer

Photography and short form film that illustrates or promotes clothing or beauty products.

Sport

Judged By:

Cathrine Wessel

Director / Photographer

Ronaldo Taveres

Executive Creative Director, M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment

Dr Rashmi Becker MBE

Sport England & Founder: Step Change Studios

Photography and short form film where sport or fitness activity is the primary focus of the image, includes sports fans and venues.

find a 9
© Stephen Ambrose
find a 9 (1)
© Julia Fullerton-Batten

Project

Judged By:

Nick Waplington

Photographer

Eliza Williams

Editor, Creative Review

Adrian Evans

Director, Panos Pictures

A long-term photographic project on a singular subject that portrays a narrative, illustrated in a series of 10-20 images, or short form film. Because of the long-form nature of the work, images for the Project category have no date limitation but must be a proven ongoing project. (Please note because of space limitations up to 8 images may be chosen to be included in the Awards Book and exhibition).

Spaces

Judged By:

Simon Kennedy

Photographer

Patricia Taylor

Picture Director Hearst Magazines (Interiors portfolio)

Julia Kendell

Interior Designer, TV Presenter

Photography and short form film where interior spaces, built exteriors and locations are the primary focus of the image.

Sarah Hogan
© Sarah Hogan

Not a member? If you would like to become an AOP Accredited or Assistant Photographer member, please click here. 

AOP Discovery Member Award 
Like our Accredited Photographer members, AOP Assisting photographer members are eligible to enter the Photography Categories with the chance of winning an AOP Discovery Award. This award enables us to discover and nurture new talent within our Assisting Photographer membership, and offer those who are selected, the chance to become Accredited Photographer members. If you would like to become an AOP Assisting Photographer member or would like to apply to become an AOP Accredited Photographer member, please click here. 

NEW for 2023:

We will also be introducing two new Award nominations, to be considered from all the selected finalists.

AOP Best Commissioned Work Award 

AOP Best Personal Work Award

Martin Evening Technical Excellence Award.  To commemorate his contribution to the photography industry and in particular the advancement of Digital Retouching for stills photography and short form film. More details to follow

All Award entry eligible AOP Members will receive one free entry to the 38th AOP Photography Awards. 

Entry Fees
(All prices include VAT @20%)

Early Bird13 January 2023 – 17 February 2023
Single – £25.00
Series – £42.00 
Project – £62.50

Regular Entry18 February 2023 – 16 March 2023
Single – £30.00
Series – £50.00
Project – £75.00

Final Week Pricing25 April 2023 – 2 May 2023
Single – £50.00
Series – £70.00
Project – £95.00

Assisting Photographer member prices
To encourage new talent and support the work of our Assisting Photographer members, the AOP offers them a vastly reduced rate, available across the whole entry period. These prices are:
Single – £15
Series – £25 
Project – £37

AOP Photography Awards

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. Our 38th AOP Awards are now open…