HIPA, World’s Richest Photo Award, Ups Prize Pool to a Whopping $1 Million
The HIPA’s thirteenth season ratchets its prize pool up to an eye-watering $1 million.
This year’s HIPA competition, shortened from Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award, includes five categories (with first, second, and third placements), three Special Awards, and a Grand Prize winner.
The five categories include General (Color and Black and White), Portfolio (Story-telling), Short Videos (For Social Media), Sports Photography, and Sustainability. The awards for first, second, and third place is $40,000, $30,000, and $20,000, respectively — except for the Portfolio Category. Portfolio winners will earn $50,000, $40,000, and $30,000, for first, second, and third place, respectively. Color and Black and White will also have distinct placements.
The Grand Prize will bestow one photographer with the largest earnings at a whopping $200,000. The winner will be selected among the participants of the Category entries.
HIPA Photographer of the Year Award, Photography Content Creator Award, and Photography Appreciation Award fall under Special Awards. The Photographer of the Year Award offers $80,000, the Photography Content Creator Award offers $50,000, and the Photography Appreciation Award offers $100,000, the second largest prize in the entire competition.
The prizes, totaling $1 million, up from $450,000 last year, will be given out in US dollars, according to HIPA’s website. Anyone over the age of 18 is able to participate globally, but the rules for Photographer of the Year entries are a bit more strict. For consideration of the prestigious award, participants must submit three to 10 achievements earned from April 1, 2023, through April 1, 2024, present at least one current photography project, outline future plans, and upload one to three “iconic” works of their own.
“The decision to double the total value reflects the vision of His Highness, the Crown Prince of Dubai, in upholding the essence of each photograph’s message and aligns with the growing influence and impact of photography in conveying truth, beauty and knowledge, as well as its evident contribution to positive change,” Ali Bin Thalith, a professional documentary film photographer and HIPA Secretary General, said in a release. “The rapid and compelling advancements in the skills of photographers worldwide has encouraged us to redouble our efforts and appreciation, ensuring that we keep pace with these distinctive developments.”
Additionally, HIPA announced a new app, available in English and Arabic on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Huawei App Gallery. The HIPA Awards app provides information on competitions and events as well as educational opportunities and information on the awards.
Image credits: HIPA
