The BPPA's Press Photographer of the Year Awards

We’ve all cursed at picture editors’ infamous inability to use the right picture, and know that the very best judges of our work are ourselves, and our peers. What matters is the photography, not what’s on the menu at a gala dinner, and whether you can look like an extra in a Bond film squeezed into a hired black tie jacket.

And last year’s inaugural BPPA Press Photographer of the Year competition, supported by Canon, with over 2400 images entered from 183 photographers, all being judged online by 140 BPPA members, awarding Adam Gray of SWNS the top prize, brought just that, a competition for press photographers designed and judged by press photoraphers.

BPPA Chairman Paul Ellis says “Last year’s competition was an overwhelming success with so many fantastic entries from our membership, showcasing the best of British press photography, and we’re thrilled to be running it again this year”

Launching in February, we’ll be doing it all over again, supported by Canon, with the same categories and the same rules. Entry is open to all press photographers with a modest fee, but will be free for BPPA members. The images will then be judged and voted on by the BPPA membership with a smart trophy prize awarded in each category. Please find a list of the categories below.

News Photographer of the Year

Arts and Entertainment Photographer of the Year

Portrait Photographer of the Year

Royal Photographer of the Year

Business Photographer of the Year

Sport Photographer of the Year (Action)

Sport Photographer of the Year (Away from the Action)

Young Photographer of the Year

Photo Essay Photographer of the Year

Covid-19 Photo Essay Photographer of the Year