Time To Show Off A Little
Everything You Need to Know About the Photographing People Conference Photography Contest 2026
We figured you’d have questions. Here are the answers to pretty much everything. And if we missed something, the entry form is right up there at the top of the page.
It’s exactly what it sounds like, and it’s one of the best parts of the conference. Every paid registered attendee of the Photographing People Conference gets to submit their best image, have it displayed in the conference gallery, and compete for prizes from our sponsors. The winner gets announced live during the Conference Wrap-Up session on July 22, 2026. It’s always a really great moment, and yes, the bragging rights are very real.
Here’s what you need to know to qualify for judging:
- Your image has to be original work created by you, submitted in its final state. No re-submissions, and enhancing someone else’s work doesn’t count as original creation.
- One image per person.
- .JPG, .JPEG, or .PNG format only.
- File size must be 3MB or under.
- Nothing with nudity or criminal elements. (Yes, we have to say that.)
- That’s it. Pretty painless.
Nope. Not even a little bit. Entering is completely free for every full paid attendee of the Photographing People Conference 2026. Your conference registration covers it.
(Sorry, Kelby Media Group/KelbyOne, LLC employees and their families aren’t eligible.)
Live. On air. July 22, 2026 during the Conference Wrap-Up session. We don’t give any advance notice, so you’ll want to be tuned in. It’s genuinely one of the most fun moments of the whole event.
Just one. So make it your best one. Spend a little extra time on it. You’ll thank yourself later.
We’ll have prizes from our sponsors to give away and we’ll share the details during the conference. But honestly? Getting your work in front of thousands of photographers from around the world isn’t nothing either. We’d call that a win regardless.
One heads-up on the prizes: for customs and tax reasons, physical prizes are only available to winners with a continental US shipping address. Outside the US? You’ll still get online or digital prizes where applicable.
KelbyOne’s in-house creative team handles the judging. The panel may include Scott Kelby, Erik Kuna, other KelbyOne instructors, and professional photographers, creative directors, and art directors. We take it seriously because we know you do too.
If you’re a full paid attendee of the Photographing People Conference 2026 and you’re 18 or older, you’re in. Simple as that. The contest is just for conference attendees though, so if you’re a KelbyOne member who isn’t registered for the conference, this one’s not open to you. Sorry about that.
One more thing: employees and immediate family members of Kelby Media Group/KelbyOne, LLC and its affiliated companies aren’t eligible to enter. Yeah, we know. Tough break, team.
Please see the FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS for more information.