Welcome to the Belgian Photo Awards competition! We are excited to showcase the best of Belgian professional photography and celebrate creativity across various categories. Below, you will find the rules and guidelines that govern this prestigious competition. These rules are designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and the highest standard of photographic excellence. From eligibility criteria to submission guidelines, everything you need to know to participate is outlined here. Read carefully and get ready to share your best work with the world!

1. A competition with many parts!

1.1 Belgian Excellence 2025
Participating professional photographers may enter as many images into as many categories as they like. However, a minimum set of 3 images is required to be eligible for selection of the Belgian Excellence award. Unlimited additional pictures may be submitted, but only the top 3 scored picture will be considered for the allocation of awards.

1.2. Young Talent 2025
All participating photographers aged between 18 and 35 automatically compete for the title of Young Talent if they enter a minimum of three images.

1.3. The categories

In 11 categories Photographers can submit their images:

Fashion & brands
Conceptual art & illustration
Portrait
Pets
Wildlife
Landscape & nature
Reportage // photojournalism
Sports
Architecture
Wedding
Theme of the year: Party Fête Celebration

A final check will be done by the head judge to oversee that the images were submitted in the correct categorie. The head judge has the capability to change the image to a better suiting category if it’s in the photographer’s benefit.

1.4. Theme of the year
The theme of the year is a category to encourage photographers to work around a current topic.Creativity and visual storytelling is key in this category.

Celebration Fête Feest - Celebration, think people, high emotions, intense moments ups in our lives,..

This year, you capture the essence of celebration. Whether it’s a vibrant festival, a personal milestone, or an intimate gathering, we want to see the joy, connection, and spirit of togetherness in every shot. Let your images tell the story of life’s most meaningful moments— those that bring us closer and fill us with happiness.

1.5. World Photographic cup
To be eligible for selection of the World Photograhic Cup participating professional photographers must apply with at least 1 picture in 1 or more of the 11 categories. The team of judges and the head of the jury will decide Team Belgium for the World Photographic Cup based on the scoring and the elegibility of the WPC competition. More information on the WPC you can find here (this is subject to change according to the WPC decision).

2. Rules
2.1. Belgian Photo Awards
Entrants must be active as a professional photographer, an artist photographer, or employed as a photographer or as a teacher in photography. They need to have a Belgian Passport or perminant residence permit. By participating photographers agree to the rules and privacy rules stated below. The receipt of entries for the preselection of the First Photographer of Belgium opens on 15/06/2025 and closes at midnight, 15/09/2025.

2.2 Belgian Excellence
To be eligible for selection of the Belgian Excellence award a minimum submission of 3 images is required. Unlimited additional pictures may be submitted, but only the top 3 scored pictures will be considered for the allocation of awards.
The 10 photographers with the 3 on average highest scoring 3 images out of the 11 categories will be re-judged during a live judging and the Winner of the Belgian Excellence title will be the author of the highest scoring set of 3 images from those 10 photographers. The 2 Runner-Ups will be the authors of the 2nd and 3rd highest scoring sets of 3 images from those 30 entries.

2.3 Young Talent 2025
Participating professional photographers may enter as many images into as many categories as they like. However, to be eligible for selection of the Young Talent award a minimum submission of 3 images is required. Unlimited additional pictures may be submitted, but only the top 3 scored pictures will be considered for the allocation of awards. All competitors between the age of 18 and 35 applying for any of the 11 categories, automatically compete for the title of Young Talent. The Winner of the Belpa’s Young Talent will be the author of the highest scoring set of 3 images from those 3 entries. The 2 runner-ups will be the authors of the 2nd and 3rd highest scoring sets of 3 images.

2.4 WPC – World Photographic Cup
Out of The Belgian Photo Awards’ submissions a designated jury will select WPC Team Belgium according to the categories of the WPC, that you can find here. They will have the honour to compete internationally in the World Photographic Cup in the name of Belgium.

3. Application
At any time, the competitor has the right to access, view, and amend their information, as well as withdraw their participation in the competition by emailing competition@beroepsfotografen.be.
The entry fee is non-refundable.
The jury's decision is final.
Judges are not allowed to participate with entries in the competition the year they are judging.

4. Image Rules
Entrants can give a title to their image during uploading. That title will be presented to the jury. We strongly recommend choosing an English title, as not all members of the international jury speak Dutch, French or German. The photographer's name or logo must not be included in the filename or be visible in the image itself.

Photos must be at least 4000 pixels on the longest side. They must be jpegs 10 - 12 (maximum quality) and maximum 50 megabytes file size with an enclosed colour profile: sRGB, Adobe 98 or Greyscale.

Images may only compete in one category (copies in multiple categories are not allowed even if they have been edited differently). Images competing may not be presented as images submitted to the Belpa competition, for example on social media, before the competition is completed. Images may have been previously published in other contexts and may have participated in other competitions.

4.1Rules per category

4.1.1 Fashion and Commercial

This category includes images created with the intention of being used by a commercial client to promote or brand a product, service, or company. Fashion, advertising, still life, food, events, corporate, and industrial photography are all included. Both composite and non-composite images, as well as heavily edited or manipulated work (e.g. via Photoshop), are allowed. However, images containing AI-generated or CGI elements are not permitted.

To confirm eligibility, the Validation Committee will request original files (RAW or unedited JPG with intact EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement.

4.1.2 Conceptual art & illustration

Conceptual Art Photography is the intentional use of photography as your artistic medium of choice, used to further your conceptual idea. It includes the following: an artistic statement; manipulation of a subject and the work is created purely for its aesthetic or imaginative nature.

An Illustration entry is a graphic depiction of any concept or subject. The main principle of an illustration is to convey a concept, story or activity in such a way as to provide a visual representation.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite and non-composite images and highly manipulated images (Photoshop or similar) are allowed in this category. Al or CGI elements are not permitted
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.3 Portrait

Entries in this category can include natural portraits but also composite images and images that have been highly manipulated or stylized.
Images must tell a story about the personality of the subject(s) including their culture and/or traditions if applicable.
All contributing elements must be made by the submitting photographer. Stock images are not permitted as elements within the final image. Al or CGI elements are not permitted. Fashion/beauty images must be entered in the Fashion & Brands category.

The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.
Al or CGI elements are not permitted.

4.1.4 Pets

Entries in this category can include natural portraits but also composite images and images that have been highly manipulated or stylized.

All contributing elements must be made by the submitting photographer. Stock images are not permitted as elements within the final image. Al or CGI elements are not permitted.
Animals that are seen in the wild must be entered in the Wildlife category.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.
Al or CGI elements are not permitted.

4.1.5 Wildlife

Images must illustrate the astonishing diversity of wildlife from all parts of the world in a natural habitat. Images made in a controlled environment (e.g. a zoo) or using “baiting techniques" are not allowed.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite and highly manipulated images are not allowed. It is NOT allowed to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools. Images created by "baiting" the animal are not allowed.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.6 Landscape & nature

This category is for photography that is devoted to displaying natural elements such as landscapes, animals, cityscapes, plants, flowers, trees and close-ups of natural scenes and textures. Aerial, macro and astrophotography are included in this category.
Minor adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Composite images are allowed through photo stitching, focus stacking and multiple exposure shot at the same time and in the same place.
It is NOT permitted to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.7 Reportage // photojournalism

Images that illustrate an actual public or nonpublic event (excluding sports). Images that display life, human interest, news telling or record of events. Successful images will likely have high impact and lasting emotional response.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.8 Sports
Images must be from a sports activity that illustrates an actual sporting event (public or non-public). Staged images are not allowed. This category is for all sports-related photography featuring any competitive or recreational sport.
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black-and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
It is NOT allowed to combine several photos into one image (panorama, multi-exposure, etc.), or add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

8.1.9 Architecture

This category includes photography that captures the design, form and aesthetic of buildings, interiors and other architectural structures, whether old or new. Both exterior and interior shots are allowed.
Composite and non-composite images are allowed. Photo stitching (e.g. panoramas), focus stacking and multiple exposures shot at the same time and in the same location are permitted.
It is NOT permitted to add, delete or move elements by cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
Al or CGI elements are not permitted.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.10 Wedding

Wedding entries must be photographed in connection with an actual wedding event. Images must include some visual reference(s) that define the wedding event.
Composite images are allowed so long as each element used was shot at the same wedding.
All elements used must be created by the submitting photographer.
Commercial, Illustrative and Fashion images are not permitted in the wedding category and must be entered into Commercial or Illustration/Digital categories.
In instances where an image is questioned about being from a real wedding event, the photographer will be asked to provide additional supporting images confirming the image was taken from a real wedding event (e.g. bride and groom, groups, ceremony etc).
Adjustments to crop, rotate, selective dodge and burn, reduce noise, sharpen, adjust colour/black- and-white, and minor cleaning jobs to remove sensor dust or chromatic aberration are permitted.
Only single capture images will be accepted. Composite and multiple exposure images will not be accepted.
It is not permitted to add, delete or move elements by, for instance, cloning, healing, patching, content aware fill, liquify or similar tools.
The Validation Committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

4.1.11 Theme of the year: Party Fête Celebration

Creativity and visual storytelling is key in this category.
Celebration, think people, high emotions, intense moments ups in our lives,.. This year, you capture the essence of celebration. Whether it’s a vibrant festival, a personal milestone, or an intimate gathering, we want to see the joy, connection, and spirit of togetherness in every shot. Let your images tell the story of life’s most meaningful moments—those that bring us closer and fill us with happiness.

Al or CGI elements are not permitted. The Validation committee will request original files (Raw or JPG that includes original EXIF data) after the Top Ten announcement to confirm eligibility.

5. Privacy
By participating in the competition, photographers agree and confirm that the competition committee for the Belgian Photo Awards is allowed to receive and store photographer’s submitted personal data. Participants agree that their personal data, which includes, but is not limited to name, address, phone number, and email address, may be collected, processed, stored, and used for the purpose of conducting and administering the Belgian Photo Awards and sending entries to the WPC.
By participating in the competition, photographers agree that their entries, if selected, may also compete for Belgium's national photographers team in the World Photographic Cup (WPC).

6. Image Usage
By participating in the competition, photographers allow the organization, without compensation, to use any of the images submitted for marketing purposes, including on the Belpa website, social media, and in printed materials for this and future Belgian Photo Awards projects.
By participating in the competition, photographers agree their images and results to be published on any of Belpa’s marketing channels (website, social media, etc.), as well as in other contexts related to the competition. Sponsors and media may also publish/show the images in contexts related to the competition. The organization also reserves the right to curate and present selected images in physical or digital exhibitions—similar to Lens op de Mens—as part of the Belgian Photo Awards or its promotional activities, without requiring additional permission or compensation.

6.1. AI, Digital Manipulation, and Composite Images
Digitally manipulated and composite images are allowed in all categories, except for Nature – Macro, Nature – Landscape, and Nature – Wildlife. In the categories Portrait and Conceptual Art, minor adjustments are allowed.
If major adjustments, manipulations, or composites have been made, the more creative categories are suitable for the image (Conceptual art & Illustration, Commercial).
In composite images, all elements must be created by the photographers themselves. This means that no stock images are allowed in the competition. Images or image elements created using AI are not allowed in any category of the Belgian Photo Awards competition. It is prohibited to use editing tools that insert information not derivable from the original file(s).

6.2. VALIDATION - ORIGINAL FILES
For all images that advance to the print final, the unedited original files will be requested to verify that the photographer is the author of the finished competition image. Instructions for this will be sent via email to the relevant photographers along with other instructions prior to the final (Belgian Excellence competition). The original file(s) may also be requested earlier during the competition. In such cases, the photographer will be contacted by the head judge and given instructions on how and when to submit the original files. It is therefore important to save the original file(s) and have them available in case of such a request. For composite images, ALL image elements must be submitted as separate original files as described above. Instructions will be provided by the head judge via email.

6.3. DISQUALIFICATION
If it comes to the jury's attention that any image has caused suffering to animals or destruction of the natural environment, the participant may be disqualified. Any images that do not meet technical specifications/requirements or that violate the stated rules will be disqualified. Final images that are not submitted as physical enlargements on time before the print final will be disqualified. The deadline and complete instructions for submission will be sent via email to all finalists immediately after the finalists are announced. Final images (prints) that are not correctly labeled on the back of the print will be disqualified. Labeling instructions will be sent via email to all finalists immediately after the finalists are announced. Final images (prints) that do not have the correct dimensions according to the PRINT FINAL SPECIFICATIONS will be disqualified. Final images (prints) that have been altered compared to the digital competition image (e.g., through cropping, cloning, retouching, color corrections, etc.) will be disqualified. Final images (prints) that in any other way differ from the digital competition image will be disqualified.

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