The MUSE Photography Awards celebrates the creative ethos and underlying afternotes of what makes a photograph so influential. We want to see the ever-thriving visuals arts community grow from the view of their camera lens and share stories that will live on for decades to come.
From promoting the work of photography professionals to aspiring visual arts extraordinaires, our mission is to provide one of the best competitive platforms to display your work to the world.
Like the mythological Muses themselves, your ideas, expertise and creative vision will redefine who you are as a photographer. This is your time to share your vision to the world.
The MUSE Photography Awards aims to redefine and push the boundaries of photography, where every aspect of a still image is carefully taken to reach international standards. Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, your creativity will shine through the camera lens.
MUSE Photographer of the Year (Professional)
Receive the 2027 MUSE Awards statuette and a $3,000 cash prize
MUSE Photographer of the Year (Amateur/Student)
Receive the 2027 MUSE Awards statuette and a $2,000 cash prize
MUSE Category Winners (Professional & Amateur/Students)
$100 cash prize* each
Professional (12 Categories) & Amateur / Student (12 Categories)
MUSE Platinum, Gold & Silver Winners
Printable MUSE e-Certificate
Be interviewed and featured on Muse.World, our third-party media partner website
Dedicated winner’s page and social media posts
The MUSE Photography Awards categories consist of Architecture Photography, Commercial Photography, Editorial Photography, Event Photography, Fine Art Photography, Nature Photography, People Photography, Mobile Photography, Black & White Photography, Minimalist Photography, Fashion Photography, Film Photography, Advertising Photography and other special categories, such as Comedy Photography, Mobile Photography, etc.
2026 MUSE Photographers of the Year: Trevor Cole (Professional), Philipp Schmieja (Amateur/Student Category).
2026 Category Winners of the Year: Derry Ainsworth, Daniel Ceng, Philipp Schmieja, Kelly William Wright, Melissa N. Robertson, Russell Trozera, Trevor Cole, Philipp Schmieja.
Photographer / Company
Trevor Cole
Category
Editorial Photography - Travel
Country / Region
Ireland
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
Editorial Photography - Personality
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Derry Ainsworth
Category
Architectural Photography - Drone
Country / Region
Hong Kong SAR
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
Editorial Photography - Documentary
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Daniel Ceng
Category
Editorial Photography - Environmental
Country / Region
Turkey
Photographer / Company
Kelly William Wright
Category
Fine Art Photography - Nudes
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Russell Trozera
Category
Nature Photography - Astrophotography
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Melissa N. Robertson
Category
Nature Photography - Weather
Country / Region
United States
Photographer / Company
Philipp Schmieja
Category
People Photography - Culture
Country / Region
Germany
Photographer / Company
Trevor Cole
Category
People Photography - Religious
Country / Region
Ireland
Photographer / Company
Shang Yao Yuan
Category
Editorial Photography - Feature Story
Country / Region
Taiwan
Photographer / Company
Allan Andersen
Category
Nature Photography - Astrophotography
Country / Region
Denmark
Experience the Surrealism Photography
This digital display immerses you in a curated exhibition, showcasing 100 critically-acclaimed images from the 2026 MUSE Photography Awards gallery. Browse through this exhibition at your personal leisure, feast your eyes upon each breathtaking photograph, and be absorbed in each detailed accompanying caption.
Throughout this exhibition, you'll discover the awe-inspiring Photographers of Year, Category Winners of the Year, as well as Platinum Winners, from the Professional and Amateur/Student divisions.
*Clicking on an image will bring you closer to said image and clicking on the little “i“ icon, at the top right of the screen, will allow you to learn more about that amazing piece.
Take Your Exclusive Seat on the MUSE Photography Awards Panel
MUSE Photography Awards has made special efforts to find a suitable panel of judges whose works exemplify the qualities of a Muse. The jury panel comprises of experienced professionals in their fields and industries, including creative and art directors from international agencies, established photographers, photo editors, art collectors, educators or business owners. All judges are selected based on experience, availability and credibility to their respective industry.
Czech Republic
Qualified European Photographer, Tomáš Neuwirth Photography
Tomáš Neuwirth, an internationally acclaimed photographer, excels in drone photography. The emergence of drones later opened new vistas for his photography, allowing him to capture stunning aerial shots with commercial drones. Today, he is deeply involved in both professional drone and traditional photography, elevating the art form by choosing unique locations and enhancing images through post-production. His work transcends from mere landscape to the realm of fine art. Notably, he is the first Czech photographer to be a finalist in multiple awards and his work has been showcased in numerous countries. His work has been frequently chosen by the Paris online gallery Singulart. Notably, he was nominated for the Personality of Czech Photography in 2019 and was part of the Czech team for the 2022 World Photographic Cup (WPC). He holds the Qualified European Photographer (QEP) title in the Drone category.
Italy
Professional Photographer, Patrizia Burra Photography
Patrizia Burra is a renowned photographer that specializes in portraits and digital manipulation.
Over the course of her career, Burra has earned numerous international awards and honorable mentions. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications, and she has showcased her photography in both Italy and overseas. She holds the title of MQEP (Master Qualified European Photographer). This recognition is a testament to her exceptional talent and artistic vision.
Her work captures the beauty of the world around us, from the grandeur of nature to the intimate moments of everyday life. Her limited edition prints are highly sought after, as they are a one-of-a-kind piece of art that will last a lifetime. Her photography is a celebration of life, capturing the beauty of the world in a way that is both timeless and modern. Her limited edition prints are a perfect way to bring her art into your home.
United States
Photographer, Andrew Prokos Fine Art Photography
United States
Director + Photographer, Sam Grant Productions LLC
Sam Grant is a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles with experience creating campaigns for major global brands, including Coca-Cola. His work has earned three APA Awards, including 1st Place in the Travel category in 2024, and he was a selected winner in AI-AP's American Photography in 2022. His photography has also been exhibited in New York.
With a background in commercial photography and brand campaigns, Grant brings a strong understanding of visual storytelling, creative direction, composition, and the demands of contemporary commercial photography.
The International Awards Associate (IAA) is a group of industry innovators, creators, designers and communications professionals whose commitment are to move the industry forward through discovery and recognition of new and existing talent.
Media Partners
