World Photography Day 2026

Every photographer has one. The image you can't quite let go of - the one you've printed and put on the wall, or the one still sitting in your camera roll that you return to again and again. It might capture a fleeting moment, a place that means everything to you, or something you couldn't have planned if you'd tried. Whatever it is, it's stayed with you for a reason. 

This World Photography Day, we're inviting all RPS members to submit that photo. 

Entries are now closed.

A special thank you to our volunteers, Trevor Litherland, Clive Watkins ARPS, Fred Barrington, Wayne Richards, and Sean Goodhart for lending their time to shortlist entries.

We're delighted to announce that Christiane Monarchi will join us as guest selector for the final round, bringing her expertise to help choose our winner. Christiane is co-director of HAPAX Publishing and HAPAX Living Room, and founding editor of Photomonitor. She enjoys supporting new photographic ideas online, in print and in exhibitions. 

The winner and highly commended entries will be announced on World Photography Day, Wednesday 19 August, and showcased in a gallery on our website and across our social channels.  

As part of the International Photography Exhibition 167 programme, theprintspace will be hosting two daytime talks at their studio. These talks will offer attendees invaluable guidance on optimising their images for print, including how to select the perfect paper types and prints to match their creative vision.

Additionally, the sessions will introduce artists to theprintspace’s automated dropshipping service, demonstrating how creators can seamlessly sell and fulfil their printed artworks to a global audience.

More information on theprintspace events to come soon.

As part of the RPS's World Photography Day 2026 celebrations, the Digital Imaging Group is inviting members to capture "People at Work" on the day. 

The more unusual the occupation, the better, but don't worry: the gallery will be a fascinating record of a single day whatever you find.

On Wednesday 19th August, take a photo and submit it to the online gallery. Once images have been uploaded, you'll be able to view them and choose your favourites.

This World Photography Day, we're inviting every member of the RPS Landscape Group to help create a photographic record of one complete day around the world.

The idea is simple: take a landscape photograph on 19 August during any hour of the day. Your image will represent the hour in which it was taken.

Saturday 15 August 2026, 14:00 - 16:00, Zoom

The AV Group presents their celebration of World Photography Day with specially chosen, award-winning AVs which celebrate photography, its people, its history and its landmark moments. An opportunity for all photographers - book your free ticket today.

Join us, and thousands of other photographers from around the world by taking a photograph, wherever you are – or whatever you’re doing - on World Photography Day if you’re able to do so, or during the week beforehand if you’re not.

Post your image on Instagram or Facebook and tag both #WorldPhotographyDay as well as sharing & tagging it to Travel Group’s account - #travelgrouprps and #senseofplace.
Please remember that to avoid image cropping Instagram recommend posting an image that has a width of 1,080 pixels, and a height between 566 and 1,440 pixels.

We then intend to gather the images received and publish a selection of them later on in the year.