A GROUNDBREAKING FORMAT THAT VALUES EVERY PARTICIPANT
The Milano Photo Awards stand apart from any other contest for one fundamental principle: not only are the winners celebrated, all registered photographers are recognized.
Every registered author will have their photos exhibited in the official digital exhibition, which will be projected in a continuous loop for the entire duration of the event on large-format LED walls and interactive totems.
Only the first-place winner in each category will also have their project or series fully printed on professional photographic paper and exhibited.
📍 Event Location and Dates
Milan – September 25-26-27, 2026.
1. DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting applications is set for August 15, 2026 (11:59 PM CET). No registrations will be accepted after this date.
⚠️ Attention: the open call is open from October 10 to August 15, 2026 but places are limited. The call may close early once the maximum number is reached. Register now to secure your spot.
2. HOW TO ENTER
The competition is open to amateur, enthusiast, and non-professional photographers of any age and nationality.
Each photographer may submit their work to only one of the nine categories of the Milano Photo Award. This rule was established to ensure fairness and coherence in the selection process: limiting participation to a single category per author allows each artist’s research to be better appreciated, prevents individual photographers from occupying multiple spaces, and offers a broader community of talents the opportunity to emerge.
All participants must register using their real name and are responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. Pseudonyms and anonymous entries are not accepted.
Entry fee: €50.
3. PHOTO FORMAT AND REQUIREMENTS
Each participant must submit the following material:
5 individual images
One personal half-length portrait (not full-body), to be used for the participant’s event poster
Watermarks, logos, or visible signatures on photos are not allowed.
File format and dimensions:
File type: JPEG
File size: between 1.5MB and 3MB (300 dpi)
Color profile: sRGB
Accompanying document (Word):
Title of each photo
Date and location of each shot (example: Milan, October 26, 2023)
🔴 Photographs created (even partially) using artificial intelligence are strictly prohibited.
All material must be uploaded through the official website: www.milanophotoawards.com
After paying the entry fee, the participant may immediately upload the required materials. Alternatively, they may request a 7-day extension. If after 7 days the material has not been uploaded, the participant will be excluded and will not be entitled to a refund of the fee paid.
4. JURY
5. EXHIBITION AND DISPLAY
All registered participants will be exhibited during the event through immersive digital installations.
The winner of each photography category will also have their entire photographic project or series (5 shots) printed and displayed throughout the event. (Each photo will be printed on professional 50×70 or 70×50 photographic paper, framed, and exhibited in a dedicated room).
At the end of the event, the winning photographer can collect the prints, including the frames, free of charge.
NO SHIPMENTS WILL BE MADE. Collection can only be carried out on site. Any shipments will be entirely at the participant’s expense.
6. PRIZES
🥇 1st Place Winner
🥈 2nd Place Winner
🥉 3rd Place Winner
The overall winner will be announced during the gala night at the Hotel dei Cavalieri and will be awarded to the photographer who has distinguished themselves for: best use of light, emotional power of the image, originality of the idea, and aesthetic quality of the shot.
Overall winner prizes:
7. PAYMENT OF PRIZES
Cash prizes will be paid via bank transfer within 90 days of the conclusion of the event.
The Nikon Z50II camera awarded to the Overall Winner may be collected during the gala dinner.
In the event of the winner’s absence, TheStreetSoup will ship the physical prize at its own expense.
8. WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT
The winners of each category will be announced by August 25, 2026, via email and on the official Milano Photo Awards website.
The Overall Winner will be revealed during the gala evening at Hotel dei Cavalieri.
9. COPYRIGHT AND USE OF WORKS
All rights remain the property of the participating photographers.
Each author grants TheStreetSoup the non-exclusive right to use the images for:
Promotion of the event
Publication in the official catalog
Editorial and informational activities related to the Milano Photo Awards 2026
Images may be used for the promotion of the author and the event for a maximum period of three years from the date of signing.
10. LEGAL LIABILITY OF THE EVENT
Nikon Italia and Fondazione Mazzoleni are external partners and are not part of the organization.
TheStreetSoup is the sole owner and legal responsible party of the event.
⚠️ The photographer declares that they have the explicit consent of the individuals portrayed for the use and publication of the images.
TheStreetSoup accepts no responsibility for images containing subjects without authorization.
Any civil or criminal legal actions arising from claims will be attributed exclusively to the participant.
11. LEGAL LIABILITY FOR PRIZES
The disbursement of cash prizes and material prizes (including Nikon devices) is entirely the responsibility of TheStreetSoup, the creator and organizer of the Milano Photo Awards.
The official partners are not responsible for the management or direct distribution of the prizes.
12. EVENT CANCELLATION CLAUSE
In the event of cancellation for any reason (except for war or natural disasters), participants will be entitled solely to a refund of the registration fee already paid.
Travel, accommodation, or other expenses incurred by participants will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.
