LCE Photographer of the Year 2026
Final call for entries for LCE Photographer of the Year 2026
• Entries to national retailer’s photography competition will close on 21 January 2026
• £10,000 prize pot up for grabs with 14 different categories including ‘Emerging Talent’
• Free-to-enter contest now in its third year – all photographers welcome to participate
• Submit online or in-store across 26 London Camera Exchange UK locations
The deadline for the 2026 LCE Photographer of the Year competition is fast approaching. Now in its third year, the national photography contest will close at midnight on 21 January. Photographers of all levels of experience are welcome to submit their work, with 14 varied categories to choose from, and a substantial total prize fund of £10,000.
Every entry will be featured in the LCE POTY 2026 online gallery, and will be open to public voting in the ‘People’s Choice’ category. All other categories are judged by an expert panel.
Last year’s ‘Emerging Talent’ student category was won by Martina Aguirre Torres, with her stunning image entitled ‘Abigail’ (above), shot during British indie rock band The Last Dinner Party’s 2024 tour. Two £500 prizes are granted in this category – one to the photography student and one to their photography course – providing resources to support the growth of up-and-coming photographers in the future.
Judges for the 2026 contest include SheClicks founder and journalist Angela Nicholson, Chris George, content director at Future Publishing, professional portrait and travel documentary photographer Jimmy Cheng, and Lee Harasyn, managing director of LCE. Some helpful advice from the judging panel for potential entrants to this year’s competition can be found below:
Angela Nicholson commented, “As a judge, I’m drawn to images that reflect the photographer’s interpretation of a scene and their connection with the subject. I’m looking for a creative vision, thoughtful use of light, technique and composition, and photographs that feel personal, expressive and intentional.”
Jimmy Cheng remarked, “Aside from technical brilliance, I will be looking for images that express emotions and creative presentation.”
Chris George added, “It was winning a photo competition that spurred my interest in photography and then taking it up as a career, so I love the chance to judge contests myself. I am always on the lookout for a shot I haven’t seen before – or an image taken way better than similar ones I have seen in the past.”
Lee Harasyn said, “I’m naturally drawn to great technique, but sometimes a photographer can capture an image so powerful that this becomes irrelevant. The best photos connect with the viewer – and that’s what I’m hoping to find.”
Winners will receive a share of the £10,000 prize pot and an impressive trophy, presented at The Photography & Video Show at the NEC in Birmingham (March 2026). The overall winner will be awarded £2,500 in LCE vouchers to spend on products of their choice. All shortlisted images will be displayed in a prominent exhibition space at the NEC and included in a special edition commemorative book.
Entries can be submitted online at https://poty.lcegroup.co.uk/ or in person at any of 26 London Camera Exchange stores. Full details and locations at https://www.lcegroup.co.uk/our-stores/.
LCE POTY 2026 is supported by leading photo industry brands including headline sponsorsCanon, Fujifilm and OM System, as well as partners Lexar, Nikon and Sony, and affiliates Cewe and Sigma.
The competition is open to photographers aged 18 and over. Entries will be accepted from photographers worldwide, however, prizes will only be awarded to UK residents. Full terms and conditions, rules and FAQs are listed at https://poty.lcegroup.co.uk/.
LCE Photographer of the Year 2026 categories:
- Action
- After Dark
- Birds
- Creative
- Emerging Talent
- Events
- Landscape
- Macro
- People’s Choice
- Pets
- Portrait
- Street
- Travel
- Wildlife
