The Aperture Portfolio Prize is an annual international competition run by Aperture, the New York photography publisher, to spotlight new talent in contemporary photography. Photographers submit one portfolio online; a jury of leading figures picks a first-prize winner and four shortlisted artists.
The jury looks for innovative bodies of work not yet widely seen in major publications or venues. The 2026 call closed on 11 January 2026; the next call is expected to open around November 2026.
Benefits & funding
- First prize: US$5,000 cash, a US$1,000 MPB gear gift card and publication in Aperture magazine.
- Four shortlisted artists: US$1,000 each and an editorial feature on aperture.org.
- All five finalists join a group exhibition at AIPAD in New York (April 2026) and get exposure on Aperture’s email and social channels.
- Winner and shortlist may join Aperture’s limited-edition print program.
Eligibility
- Photographers living anywhere may enter; no nationality or residence limit.
- Entrants must hold an Aperture magazine print subscription current through the Spring 2026 issue (no. 262); membership alone, lapsed or digital subscriptions do not count.
- Work featured by Aperture (a call for entry, the magazine or aperture.org) in the past three years is ineligible.
- Collectives may enter if one member subscribes; AI-generated images must be labelled.
- One portfolio per entrant.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Take out or confirm a print subscription (US$75 a year in the US, US$95 Canada, US$110 elsewhere) and note its account number; Aperture invites applicants abroad held back by the price to email them.
- 2Submit 10–15 titled images, a statement, CV and bio on Aperture’s Picter page by the deadline; a wrong account number disqualifies the entry.
Program timeline
5 November 2025
2026 call opened
Deadline (extended)
11 January 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Shortlist announced
March 2026
Winner announced at AIPAD, New York
April 2026