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Distinctions submissions

by International members

Distinctions Programme Update 

The Royal Photographic Society is undertaking a major redevelopment of the Distinctions Programme, representing the most significant review of the programme for many years.

To create the time and organisational capacity needed to complete this work, the Society has taken the decision to pause Distinctions assessments for the remainder of 2026. This includes all Licentiate, Associate, and Fellowship assessments.

The redevelopment will focus on strengthening applicant support, assessment and moderation processes, guidance, communication, and long-term sustainability, with a revised Distinctions Programme planned for introduction in 2027.

Applicants are not being asked to start again. Existing work and preparation remain valuable, and applicants are encouraged to continue developing their submissions during this period.

Applicants currently affected by the pause will be contacted directly regarding next steps.

Further information and FAQs are available here.

Last Updated: 11.06.26

We offer three levels of Distinction, Licentiate, Associate and Fellowship, and you can see examples of successful portfolios from international members at all three levels below. 

Licentiate (LRPS)

2023

01
CREDIT: Harsha Bhatia LRPS

Harsha Bhatia LRPS


United Arab Emirates

View Submission
04
CREDIT: David Nicholls LRPS

David Nicholls LRPS

 

USA

View Submission

2020

08
CREDIT: Urs Albrecht LRPS

Urs Albrecht LRPS


Switzerland

View Submission
04
CREDIT: Yasser Mobarak LRPS

Yasser Mobarak LRPS


Egypt

View Submission
4
CREDIT: Sudeesh Kumar LRPS

Sudeesh Kumar LRPS


United Arab Emirates

View Submission
05
CREDIT: Grace Law LRPS

Grace Law LRPS


Hong Kong

View Submission

Associate (ARPS)

2025

06 2

Minke Groenewoud-Beerda ARPS

View Submission

2023

02
CREDIT: Anastasia Potekhina ARPS

Anastasia Potekhina ARPS

Cyprus

GENRE: Contemporary Photography

View Submission
13
CREDIT: Jayesh Surendran ARPS

Jayesh Surendran ARPS

United Arab Emirates

GENRE: Documentary Photography

View Submission

2021

09
CREDIT: Anindya Majumdar ARPS

Anindya Majumdar ARPS


India

GENRE: Travel Photography

View Submission
08 For International Promo Card
CREDIT: Raymond Ching ARPS

Raymond Ching ARPS


Hong Kong

GENRE: Travel Photography

View Submission

2020

Homeland For RPS Cover 2
CREDIT: Wolfgang Strassl ARPS

Wolfgang Strassl ARPS

Germany
Germany 

GENRE: Documentary Photography

View Submission
10
CREDIT: Ruth Morris ARPS

Ruth Morris ARPS


Singapore

GENRE: Visual Art Photography

View Submission
12
CREDIT: Bob Chiu ARPS

Bob Chiu ARPS


United States of America

GENRE: Travel Photography

View submission
15
CREDIT: Htet Hein ARPS

Htet Hein ARPS


Singapore

GENRE: Travel Photography

View Submission
13
CREDIT: Sylvester Wong Hsiang Hui ARPS

Sylvester Wong Hsiang Hui ARPS

Malaysia
Malaysia 

GENRE: Landscape Photography

View Submission

Fellowship (FRPS)

2025

Cover
CREDIT: Madeleine Lenagh FRPS

Madeleine Lenagh FRPS

Netherlands

GENRE: Photobooks

View Submission
Fotobuch Im Dialog Cover Web1500x1500 Kontur

Beat Suter FRPS

Switzerland

GENRE: Photobooks

View Submission

2020

10
CREDIT: Ronen Tivony FRPS

Ronen Tivony FRPS


United States of America

GENRE: Applied Photography

View Submission
14
CREDIT: Lakshitha Karunarathna FRPS

Lakshitha Karunarathna FRPS


Sri Lanka

GENRE: Natural History Photography

View Submission