The timings below are when each event is typically held. Exact dates, venues and entry deadlines change from year to year — always confirm on the official website before booking travel.
Types of photography events
Photography festivals
Exhibitions, talks, portfolio reviews and book markets — the best places to see great work and meet photographers.
Trade shows & expos
Try new cameras and lenses, attend workshops and find show-only deals.
Photography art fairs
Galleries sell fine-art prints. Inspiring even if you're not buying.
Awards & competitions
Enter your own work, and visit the touring exhibitions of the winners.
Month-by-month calendar
February – March
CP+ (Camera & Photo Imaging Show)
Japan's largest camera show, organised by the Camera & Imaging Products Association. Nearly every major Japanese brand exhibits, making it one of the best places in the world to handle new gear.
WPPI Conference & Expo
The major gathering for wedding and portrait photographers: an expo floor, classes, and a well-known print competition.
The Photography & Video Show
The UK's biggest photography event, with brand stands, free talks on multiple stages and plenty of hands-on demos. Very beginner-friendly.
April
Sony World Photography Awards
One of the largest photography competitions in the world, free to enter, with Professional, Open, Student and Youth categories. Winners are exhibited at Somerset House in London before touring internationally.
World Press Photo
The most prestigious award in photojournalism and documentary photography. The winning exhibition travels to dozens of cities worldwide throughout the year — check if it's coming near you.
NAB Show
A huge broadcast and media technology show. Important for video: many cinema cameras, lenses and hybrid camera features debut here.
KYOTOGRAPHIE
An international photography festival staged in temples, traditional townhouses and modern spaces across Kyoto — worth planning a trip around.
The Photography Show presented by AIPAD
The long-running fine-art photography fair of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers, with leading galleries from around the world.
May
Photo London
A major international photography fair held at Somerset House, with gallery booths, a public programme of talks and book signings.
CONTACT Photography Festival
One of the largest photography festivals in North America, with hundreds of exhibitions and public installations across the city.
June – September
PHotoESPAÑA
A summer-long festival of photography and visual arts with exhibitions in museums and galleries throughout Madrid and other Spanish cities.
Les Rencontres d'Arles
Founded in 1970 and widely regarded as the world's most important photography festival. The opening week in early July is packed with talks, portfolio reviews, evening projections and book launches; exhibitions stay open through the summer.
August – October
Visa pour l'Image
The world's leading festival of photojournalism. Exhibitions are free to the public, and the opening professional week brings together photographers, editors and agencies from around the world.
Astronomy Photographer of the Year
Run by Royal Museums Greenwich, the world's leading astrophotography competition, with the winning images exhibited at the National Maritime Museum.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, this is the most famous wildlife photography competition. The exhibition opens in London in the autumn and then tours internationally.
November
Paris Photo
The world's largest international art fair dedicated to photography, held at the Grand Palais. November in Paris is also packed with satellite exhibitions and photobook events.
Competitions you can enter
Entering competitions is a great way to set goals and get your work seen. Entry windows vary, so check each site for the current deadlines, fees and rules on editing and AI.
| Competition | Focus | Good for beginners? |
|---|---|---|
| Sony World Photography Awards | All genres, Open category for single images | Yes — free to enter |
| iPhone Photography Awards | Photos taken with an iPhone or iPad | Yes |
| Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Wildlife and nature, including youth categories | Challenging, but open to all |
| Astronomy Photographer of the Year | Night sky and astrophotography | Yes, with a young photographer category |
| Close-up Photographer of the Year | Macro and close-up | Yes |
| Bird Photographer of the Year | Birds | Yes |
| Travel Photographer of the Year | Travel, people and places | Yes |
| World Press Photo | Photojournalism and documentary | Professional-level |
What happened to Photokina?
For decades, Photokina in Cologne, Germany was the world's biggest photography trade fair, where brands saved their biggest announcements. Falling attendance, the shift to online product launches and the pandemic led organisers to suspend it indefinitely in 2020. Today, brands announce products at their own online events throughout the year, and regional shows like CP+ and The Photography & Video Show have become the main places to try gear in person.
Tips for visiting a photography festival
- Go during opening week for talks, portfolio reviews and book launches — but book accommodation months ahead.
- Buy a festival pass if one exists; it's usually far cheaper than single tickets.
- Bring prints or a tablet portfolio if you'd like feedback from reviewers.
- Visit the book fair — photobooks are one of the best ways to study great photography.
- Pack light: a small camera or one prime lens is perfect for a day of walking between venues.
- At trade shows, bring your own memory card (where allowed) to test cameras and review files at home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest photography festival in the world?
Les Rencontres d'Arles in southern France is widely considered the world's leading photography festival, with dozens of exhibitions across the town each summer. Visa pour l'Image in Perpignan is the leading festival for photojournalism.
Where are new cameras announced?
Most cameras are now announced online at brand launch events throughout the year. Trade shows such as CP+ in Japan, The Photography & Video Show in the UK and NAB Show in the USA (for video and cinema) are where you can try new gear hands-on.
Is Photokina still happening?
No. Photokina in Cologne, once the world's largest photography trade fair, was suspended indefinitely in 2020. Its role has largely been taken over by online launches and regional shows.
Can beginners enter international photography competitions?
Yes. Many major awards, including the Sony World Photography Awards and the iPhone Photography Awards, have open or amateur categories, and some are free to enter. Always read the rules on image editing, AI use and rights before submitting.
