The 9th annual LensCulture Portrait Awards aim to discover and reward more than 35 photographers around the globe who are making exceptional photographic portraits today.

These awards are open to photographers at all levels of experience, and all genres of portraiture are welcome — from professional studio shoots, to detailed environmental portraits, to casual candids. We’re open to all types of artistic approaches, too, including staged, fiction, fashion, metaphoric, self-portrait and conceptual work.

Winners will enjoy career-changing opportunities including exhibition in Paris, extensive media coverage, cash prizes and more. Scroll down to meet our expert international jury and read about our free entry option for single image submissions.

Challenge and delight us! Send in your best work today.

Winning photographers will be exhibited at a gallery in Paris during Paris Photo, the premiere international photo fair that brings together hundreds of galleries, publishers and collectors, as well as an ambitious program of exhibitions, conversations, artist book signings and curated fair events.
An opening reception will be held for LensCulture artists, invited media, photo editors and industry insiders for a night of art appreciation and networking during the world’s largest international art fair dedicated to photography.

This year, we’re delighted to offer Series winners a one-to-one virtual project review with select jurors. Each winner will have the opportunity to speak directly with one juror about their work for 30 minutes online. 

First, second and third place Series winners will have their work permanently exhibited on LensCulture. Benefiting from LensCulture’s high search rankings and traffic to the site, our online exhibitions offer significant ongoing exposure for your work to our global audience of over three million.

As a special part of the launch of our new Review service, all Series winners and Juror's Picks will receive a free Project Review. Building on the success of our Submission Reviews, the Project Reviews offer more comprehensive and in-depth written feedback on your project images, project statement and artist bio that is professional, personal, and actionable.

All it takes is one set of eyes to change the course of your career. If our jury ranks your submission highly through the judging process, you will be included in LensCulture Discoveries, our directory of top-rated photographers. We provide this directory to key decision-makers including editors, book publishers, gallery owners, festival directors, creative directors, curators, and online media publishers.

“Winning 1st place in the Portrait Awards has boosted my career and increased my visibility. I have been approached by several galleries for solo exhibitions and by the Hermitage State Museum in St. Petersburg. The work has been featured in international publications like The Guardian, HANT Magazine, FemmesPHOTOgraphes Magazine, DIE ZEIT, etc. In addition, my project will be part of Festival CIRCULATION(S) in Paris. Go for it! It can be life changing and definitely career changing.”

MARINKA MASSÉUS
Winner Portrait Awards 2019