How to prepare

How to prepare for the 2025 Contest

Entries to the 2025 World Press Photo Contest are open from 1 December 2024,13.00 CET until 10 January 2025,13.00 CET (Amsterdam time). To prepare to enter the contest:

1. Make sure you have the correct document(s) to confirm your status as a professional photographer.

This does not have to be a press card, there are several other ways to provide this information. For example, a membership document or recommendation letter from a recognized photographic association or at least one proof of publication from 2023 or 2024, with your name visible as credit. Take a look at our entry rules to see which documents we accept as proof.

Did you know?
If you are part of a team or collective, you can also submit your work to the contest. As long as every team member provides proof of professional status, we’d be very glad to review your registration. 

2. Decide on which of your best work you’d like to enter into the contest.

You can enter your work to three categories: Singles, Stories, and Long-Term Projects. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these categories.

Did you know?
A photograph can only be entered once to the contest, either as a Single, as part of a Story or as part of a Long-Term Project.

3. Read through the entry rules, even if you have entered the contest in the past.

We make adjustments every year so make sure you understand the do’s and don'ts for the 2025 Contest. Read the entry rules. 

Did you know?
Your work does not have to be published to be eligible for our contest. Photographs can be submitted whether or not they have been published.

4. Start writing captions for your photograph(s).

Writing captions for each individual photograph that you enter to the contest can be time consuming. We recommend starting this process early. You can already take a look at our guidelines for writing captions.

Did you know?
All entries must have accurate captions and descriptions, written in English. If the captions have been translated, please also provide the original caption. 

5. Take some time to go through our code of ethics.

As a photographer, you must not intend to mislead by recreating or staging events. If you have any direct influence over the scene, such as reenactments or posed portraits, please let us know in the captions. You must also ensure that consent of those you have photographed has been appropriately handled. More info on both of these points can be found in the code of ethics.

6. Familiarize yourself with our regional model.

The 2025 World Press Photo Contest works with six global regions: Africa; West, Central, and South Asia; Europe; North and Central America; South America; and Asia Pacific and Oceania. Entries will be judged according to the region in which they were shot. Learn more about which countries fall under each region and more about the judging process.

Did you know?
Selecting the region requires no work from you. All you have to do is enter your work into one of the three categories (Singles, Stories, or Long-Term Projects) and your work will be sorted into the relevant region ahead of the judging process.

Are you looking for more specific information? Visit one of the following pages to find out more about: 

Image credit: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez, for The New York Times