The FAQs

Shoot The Frame is a global portrait photography award celebrating powerful, creative and technically brilliant portraiture. After 13 years of monthly contests, Shoot The Frame moved to an annual format in 2025, with the Portrait Award returning again in 2026.

Anyone. The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers around the world. If you’re under 18, you’ll need permission from a parent or guardian.

One Frame

A single photographic portrait judged as a standalone work.

Photo Essay

A cohesive series of up to 15 portrait images presented as a unified body of work.

There’s no limit. Submit as many entries as you like across both categories.

Yes. Images previously entered into the Shoot The Frame monthly contests may be entered into the Annual Award, including past monthly finalists and winners.

Images or Photo Essays that were selected as a Winner or Finalist in the 2025 Annual Award are not eligible to be considered again. Honourable Mentions from the 2025 Annual Award may be re-entered.

• JPG or JPEG format
• Minimum 2MB and maximum 10MB
• Shortest edge must be at least 2000 pixels
• sRGB colour space recommended

No. We accept standard post-processing, but composites, heavy digital manipulations, and AI-generated portraits are not permitted.

See the Prizes page

See the Judges page

February 2027

Yes. You retain full copyright to your work. By entering, you grant Shoot The Frame permission to use submitted images for promotional purposes, with photographer credit.

Yes. If your portrait features an identifiable person, especially a minor, you must have their permission to submit and publish the photograph. You are responsible for obtaining and retaining any necessary releases.

We don’t currently offer individual feedback on submissions, but this is something we may explore in future editions.

You can submit your entries via the official Shoot The Frame website and submission form. Be sure to follow the file and category guidelines.