2026 Aperture Portfolio Prize

The Aperture Portfolio Prize is an international competition that aims to identify trends in contemporary photography and highlight artists whose work deserves greater recognition. When choosing the first-prize winner and shortlist, our judges will look for innovative bodies of work that have not been widely seen in major publications or exhibition venues. The Aperture Portfolio Prize is open exclusively to Aperture magazine print subscribers. Click here to subscribe.

Early Bird Entry Fees:

Receive a discount on your subscription to Aperture magazine if you submit before November 25. To access the early bird discount, subscribe here.

What Winners Receive:

First Prize: The first-prize winner will be published in Aperture magazine and will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a $1,000 gift card to shop for gear at Mpb.com, and a presentation organized by Aperture in New York City.

Shortlist: The four artists chosen for the shortlist will each receive a $1,000 cash prize and an editorial feature on Aperture.org. 

All Finalists: All five finalists will receive exposure across Aperture's email campaigns and social media channels, which reach a global audience of prominent curators, critics, artists, and members of the photography community.

Judging Criteria:

When examining entries, judges will consider the following criteria:

Was the work created in the past five years?
Is a theme or topic carried throughout the portfolio in a fully resolved, consistent manner?
Are all the images individually strong?
What technical and presentation choices has the photographer made? Are they appropriate for the work? For example, is there a clear reason for the work being in black and white - versus a digitally enhanced palette?
Does the body of work take an innovative or unique approach to the subject matter?
Entries are welcome from anyone who makes photographs. Work will not be chosen based on the status of the photographer. It is the portfolio that counts.

Entry Requirements:

The sole entry requirement for entering the Portfolio Prize is to be an Aperture magazine print subscriber. Subscriptions must be current through Spring 2026, issue 262. To subscribe, please visit aperture.org/magprize.

About Aperture:

Aperture is a nonprofit publisher that leads conversations around photography worldwide. From our base in New York, Aperture connects global audiences and supports artists through our acclaimed quarterly magazine, books, exhibitions, digital platforms, public programs, limited-edition prints, and awards. Established in 1952 to advance "creative thinking, significantly expressed in words and photographs," Aperture champions photography's vital role in nurturing curiosity and encouraging a more just, tolerant society.