The Award Through Your Lens

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation is launching a global photography contest! We’re calling on all Award participants, holders, and Leaders to capture the heart of the Award through your unique perspective. 

Photos must show people doing an Award activity. This is about what the Award looks like in action!

CATEGORIES

• Environmental Action 

From local clean-ups and tree planting to high-tech climate solutions, show us how you’re stepping up to protect and restore our planet! 

• Teamwork and Collaboration  

The Award is rarely a solo journey. Capture your crew in action: the shared laughs, the mutual support, and those moments where you worked as one to get the job done. 

• Overcoming Barriers

We want to see how you show grit and determination when life gets tough or the world feels like it wasn't built for you. Show us your journey of breaking through barriers. Whether they are physical, social, or personal. Capture the strength it takes to keep moving forward and the unique way you see the world.

• Developing Skills 

We want to see the new talents you’ve mastered. Whether you’re mid-practice or showing off a final creation, capture the focus and fun behind your personal growth. (Don't just show a certificate, show the piece of work you made or the process you undertook to obtain it!)

• Service and Community 

Show us your volunteering in action! These shots should capture the real impact of your service and the connections you’ve made while helping others. 

• Getting Active 

Fitness is about more than just a workout, it’s also the energy and "feel-good" factor of personal challenge and getting moving. From team sports to personal bests, show us your way of staying active. 

• Discovery and Adventure 

We’re looking for expedition photos that tell a story. Capture the spirit of exploration and the wild environments you discovered while out on the trail with your team. 

THE RULES

• Be Original: Entries must be your own work, taken and edited by you. No AI-generated images, and keep the editing natural! 

• Get Permission: If your photo features other people, make sure they’re happy for you to submit it. 

• Quality Matters: Images should be clear not blurry, show faces or people in action, and be at least 2500 pixels on the shortest side and submitted in JPEG or PNG format. 

• Show the Award & Stay on Theme: Make sure your photo clearly fits your chosen category and shows you or others doing an Award activity. Use the description to explain the who and what of the activity, and how it's part of an Award journey.

• Entry Limit: You can submit one standout photo per category. 

• Tell the Story: Every entry needs a brief description including the location and the context of the shot. 

Deadline for Entries: 1 November

PRIZES & JUDGING

Our panel of judges will shortlist the top 10 semi-finalists for each category, and then the final winners are up to a public vote! The judges will also hand-pick one overall winner for the "Spirit of the Award" title—the photo that best captures the core values of the DofE journey. 

• The Workshop: All winners get exclusive access to a workshop with the renowned, award-winning photographer Vicky Roy. 

• The Exhibition: All winning entries will be showcased at a high-profile International Award Foundation event. 

• The Grand Prize: Our "Spirit of the Award" winner will receive £200 to level up their photography. Use it for an Adobe Photoshop subscription, a gift card for B&H or Adorama, or another kit-related option agreed with us!