Season 1
Open
LIFE
Categories
- Celebrations & Rituals
- Childhood & Youth
- Culture & Traditions
- Family & Generations
- Other
- Portrait & Identity
- Rural Life
- Social Documentary
- Sport & Movement
- Street & Urban Life
- Travel & Communities
- Work & Livelihood
12AWARDS Seasonal Series
Three seasons.
One continuing journey.
LIFE, EARTH and VISION create three focused opportunities for photographers to be seen, recognised and ranked before the 12AWARDS Annual Competition begins again.
1 August 2026
—
20 March 2027
Season 1: LIFE closes in
Seasonal Competitions
Season 2
Open
EARTH
Categories
- Adventure
- Astrophotography
- Drone
- Environment & Conservation
- Human and nature
- Landscape
- Macro
- Other
- Seascape
- Sunrise/Sunset
- Weather
- Wildlife
Season 3
Open
VISION
Categories
- Abstract
- Analog & Film
- Architecture & Geometry
- Black & White
- Color Photography
- Conceptual
- Fine Art
- Minimalism
- Mobile Photography
- Other
- Photomanipulation
- Still Life
The Seasonal Programme
A focused path from entry to distinction.
Three theme-led editions create a clear rhythm of participation, recognition and annual ranking.
- 03Theme-led seasons
- 12Category winners per season
- 36Categories across the series
- 01Enter a seasonChoose LIFE, EARTH or VISION and submit each photograph to the single category that fits it best.
- 02Earn recognitionBlind jury review can lead to Commended, Highly Commended, Jury Choice, Category Winner and Season Winner.
- 03Build your rankingYour strongest results in each season contribute points to the yearly photographer ranking.
- 04Reach the Top 12After VISION, the twelve highest-ranked photographers receive the annual distinction and an exclusive physical badge.
Seasonal Distinctions
Awards & Recognition
Every season recognises a defined group of photographs, giving each distinction a clear place and value.
The highest honour of each season
Season Winner
Chosen from the twelve Category Winners as the defining photograph of LIFE, EARTH or VISION.
US$250
Cash Prize
Gold Legacy
Physical Medal
Physical Badge
Across the complete series
Annual Top 12
After VISION, the twelve highest-ranked photographers receive the official annual distinction and an exclusive physical Top 12 badge.
Annual Distinction
Physical Badge
Top-Ranked Recognition
Category Winners
One winning photograph in every category.
Jury Choice
Six personal selections made by the jury.
Highly Commended
Six outstanding works recognised for their strength.
Commended
Six accomplished photographs selected for distinction.
Before Entering
Essential Rules & Frequently Asked Questions
The essentials are gathered here. The published Terms and official entry page remain the final authority for every season.
Essential Rules
Clear principles for authorship, eligibility and responsible photographic practice.
Who may enter?
Professional and non-professional photographers worldwide. Entrants under 18 require consent from a parent or legal guardian.
Are single photographs and series accepted?
Yes. Photographers may enter individual photographs or a coherent photographic series. The entry page states the permitted number of images and technical requirements.
What files are accepted?
Submit high-quality JPEG files in the dimensions and colour profile requested by the entry form, without signatures, borders, logos, watermarks or identifying text.
Are AI-generated images eligible?
No. Every visual element must originate from photographs made by the entrant. Non-generative correction tools are allowed but cannot replace an original photograph.
What editing is allowed?
Normal photographic adjustments are accepted. Documentary work must preserve factual integrity. Where composites are permitted, every source photograph must be the entrant's own.
What ethical standards apply?
Entrants are responsible for lawful access and permissions. People, communities and wildlife must be photographed with care and without deliberate harm or distress.
Who owns the copyright?
The photographer retains copyright. Entry grants 12AWARDS a non-exclusive licence to judge, publish, promote and archive submitted work with credit.
Before payment: review the fees, packages, series limits, technical specifications, refund conditions and season-specific requirements shown on the official entry page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers about entering, recognition and the year-long ranking.
Can the same photograph enter two categories?
Yes. The same photograph can enter more than one relevant category as a separate entry. It is judged independently in each category, while only its highest result contributes to the yearly ranking.
Can seasonal work enter the Annual Competition?
Yes. Seasonal photographs remain eligible for the Annual Competition. Every Category Winner can enter the awarded photograph in the Annual Competition free of charge.
How do Top 12 ranking points work?
Points are awarded according to the highest recognition received by each photograph:
- 12Season Winner
- 07Category Winner
- 05Jury Choice
- 03Highly Commended
- 01Commended
Only a photographer's two strongest results in each season count toward the yearly ranking, and one photograph never receives points twice.
When are results announced?
Each season has its own published results date. Results are released after jury review and final verification are complete.
What do recognised photographers receive?
Recognised photographers receive the distinction assigned to their result, together with the applicable digital certificate and downloadable award badge. The Annual Top 12 also receive an exclusive physical badge.