It’s time to shoot your shot — Switzerland’s most open-minded photo contest has returned

Emerging photographers, be at the ready. The UNPUBLISHED PHOTO contest is back for its fifth year, offering young talent a chance to showcase their work without creative constraints. It opened this week, on the 20th of January, and it’s all about putting fresh perspectives in the spotlight. The best part? There’s a top prize of $4,000 up for grabs.

Unlike many photography contests, UNPUBLISHED PHOTO embraces absolute creative freedom. There are no thematic restrictions, no prescribed subjects, and no technical limitations — it’s all about pure artistic expression. Whether you’re experimenting with mobile photography, traditional techniques, or pushing the boundaries of the medium, it’s a competition that welcomes all approaches.

Last year’s winners, currently on display in Lugano, Switzerland, demonstrate this kind of diversity. Peruse the exhibition – which, by the way, is running until the 9th of March – and you’ll see everything from haunting portraits exploring solitude to dynamic wildlife photography. You’ll see street photography mixed with conceptual art challenging gender and spirituality. 

Think you’ve got what it takes? Photographers aged eighteen to thirty can submit their projects – consisting of 10 cohesive images – until the 3rd of March. Of course there’s that main prize, but the three runner-ups will be awarded $600, too. They’ll also see their work featured in a professional catalogue and exhibition, with all production costs (valued at a whopping $58,000) fully covered.

Okay there are some requirements, but they’re not too demanding. UNPUBLISHED PHOTO just asks for technical and stylistic coherence within your series, a project description, and a brief bio about your relationship with photography. The rest is up to your creative vision.

You better whip that camera out or start curating your best unpublished work — apply here.