Monthly Competition

Entry Guidelines:-

Please ensure your submission meets our requirements, make sure the image is at least 2000 pixels along the shortest edge.  For the best viewing experience, we recommend checking your image at 100% on a calibrated monitor.

No branding, watermarks or borders please.

Any images found to be in violation of copyright, trademark, or any other applicable law will be disqualified.

You may enter a total of three images overall into any category you choose, however once you have selected your image choice, the image/s should not then be resubmitted into any other category.

Just a quick reminder to ensure that the image you submit has been created and edited solely by you. We want to see your amazing skills shine through! Please avoid outsourcing post-production or creating/editing the image under any form of tuition.

For our 'Newborn' category, parental permission maybe required in order to participate in the competition, please check with the parents.

Please note that the 'Portrait & Digital Creation’ category, is the only category where you are allowed to use outsourced digital elements, including purchased stock elements and AI creations and as long as they support the author's main body of work. This is the only category such elements are allowed.

By submitting images to the competition, applicants agree that Studio Masters may use them in their quarterly magazine, social media accounts and any other marketing purposes. 

We're thrilled that you're considering entering our photography competition! Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for image submissions is the last day of the month in which you are submitting. And the best part? Winners will be announced in the middle the following month! 

Please submit each of your entry submission/s as follows:

• Category_Name_Sequential Numbering 
• (Example) Fine_Art_Salli_Gainsford_01

Studio Masters Monthly Competition Entry Guidelines:

• Monthly submissions are limited to 3 images per photographer per month, ensuring quality assessments for every submission. (We will be changing this in June 2026)

Images aligning with the BPA qualification levels are eligible for awards:

Appraisal

Bronze

Highly Commended

Gold

Judges Choice

Images that provide valuable learning opportunities on the path to Bronze, will receive appraisal only with direction to resources within the Develop platform to further enhance abilities and enable photographers to raise their standards for future submissions.

For Develop Platform Subscribers:

Unlock the full educational experience with comprehensive appraisal commentary, BPA pathway guidance, and targeted Studio Masters resource recommendations posted in our exclusive assessment area for continued growth.

Prize

Our competition is completely free and we are excited to share the winning images, they will be featured on our social media platforms and in our quarterly magazine after the competition. You'll also receive our ‘seals' on your images indicating the level of award you've received. If you are selected as our monthly Judges Choice Award winner, you'll have the option to contact our printing lab for a standard size print of your winning image, perfect for your home or studio portfolio. And as a special recognition, you'll receive a certificate of excellence from our 'Accreditations Of Excellence' judging panel.

The judges choice award each month will receive a complimentary 16x12 framed print (or near size depending on the ratio of the image) courtesy of One Vision Imaging.

Image criteria

To assist you with your competition submissions, please see below for our guide of elements the judging team apply within their decision making.

1. The Lighting 
2. The Story it tells
3. It’s Technical Quality 
4. Style 
5. Creativity 
6. Points of Interest 
7. Use Of Colour 
8. Post Production
9. It’s Impact
10. Composition

To create a good picture, we suggest that you bear in mind the ten criteria and apply them mentally before capturing the shot.

Be humble, exhibit patience, and continue to make progress. Keep in mind that the path achieving greatness is a long-term endeavour, not a short-term one. Persevere and never abandon your quest for excellence.

30 Mins 1-1 With A Judge

If you are struggling with your entries and want to understand how to elevate your images beyond the monthly Develop assessments, you can now book a 30 minute one to one session with one of our top jurors for £30, paid directly to the judge.

This is a chance to talk through your images in person, gain honest and constructive feedback, and better understand what is needed to take your work to a higher level. Sometimes a personal conversation can reveal far more than written critique alone, giving you clarity, direction, and a much deeper understanding of how your work is being seen.

Our top jurors have taught many of the industry bodies how to judge, and many of the photographers who have gone on to achieve at the highest level have been guided by judges such as these. Your one to one session could be with Martin Graham Dunn or Kevin Wilson, offering you the opportunity to learn directly from some of the most experienced eyes in the industry.
This could be the start of something really special, giving you honest insight, real direction, and a clearer path towards creating stronger, more successful images.

BOOK YOUR SPOT / Reach Out Via email here - [email protected] 

Appraisal
This is the starting point within the awards structure and reflects work that is on the pathway towards a stronger standard. At this level, the image may show promise, but there are still key areas to refine, whether in lighting, posing, composition, technical control, or overall finish. It represents a stage of development where the fundamentals are still being strengthened.

Bronze
These are images that demonstrate a sound grasp of the basics and show clear ability, but there is still room for greater consistency, refinement, and impact. It is a positive award that recognises progress and competence, while also showing that the photographer is still building towards the next level.

Highly Commended
At this stage, the photographer is moving beyond the fundamentals and beginning to show a clearer personal style and stronger creative control. Images at this level often have more confidence, intent, and individuality, even if there are still some areas that stop them from reaching the very highest standard.

Gold
Gold is awarded to work that shows a very high standard of craftsmanship, confidence, and artistic direction. These are images where the photographer has developed a strong sense of style and demonstrates a high level of control in both capture and presentation. Gold suggests not only technical strength, but also maturity in vision and execution.

Gold with Judges’ Choice
This is a special distinction awarded to an image that stands out even within the Gold category. It reflects work that the judges feel is exceptional in its impact, execution, and overall impression. At this level, there is often very little to critique, and any comments are more likely to come down to individual preference rather than meaningful weaknesses.