2026 Aperture Portfolio Prize

Celebrating its twentieth year, the Aperture Portfolio Prize is an annual international competition that spotlights new talent in contemporary photography.

First Prize: The first-prize winner will be published in Aperture magazine and receives a $5,000 cash prize and a $1,000 gift card to shop for gear at mpb.com.

Shortlist: The four artists chosen for the shortlist each receive a $1,000 cash prize and an editorial feature on aperture.org.

All Finalists: All five finalists participate in a group exhibition organized by Aperture at AIPAD in New York in April 2026. Finalists receive exposure across Aperture’s email and social channels, which reach a global audience of prominent curators, critics, artists, and members of the photography community. The winner and shortlist may also have the opportunity to participate in the Aperture limited-edition print program.

Application Instructions

1. Subscribe to Aperture magazine! Entrants must be an Aperture magazine print subscriber. Subscriptions must be current through Spring 2026, issue no. 262.

Failure to provide an accurate account number for a print subscription will result in disqualification.

1. Get your magazine account number. For new subscribers, your account number can be found in your receipt. To subscribe, visit aperture.org/magprize.

For current subscribers, your account number and expiration date appear above your name on the address card that is sent along with every issue. You can also request your account number and expiration date by sending an email with your name and address to custsvc_aperture@fulcoinc.com.

1. Create an account on picter.com

2. Submit your portfolio and application before the deadline through the Aperture Portfolio Prize Picter page.
   You will need to provide the following:

• Aperture magazine account number
• 10–15 images with title information (images must be JPEG and 3,000 px on the longest side)
• Statement about your work (1,500 characters max)
• CV/Résumé (2,000 characters or single-page PDF)
• Bio (1,500 characters)