Mountain Photo Essay Competition

2023 Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition Grand Prize: Qoyllur Rit'i - The Snow Star Fades by Armando Vega

The 2023 Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition Grand Prize Announced!

The Grand Prize winner is Armando Vega for his photo essay Qoyllur Rit'i - The Snow Star Fades.

View Winning Essay

A sincere thank you to all the photographers who entered the competition. 

The competition's goal is to showcase the best in mountain-themed photo essays – to recognize the best stories told through a series of still images. We invite photographers to submit photos to illustrate their mountain related stories whether culture, adventure, wildlife, sport, environment, or natural history. The jury is seeking a sequence of images that conveys a compelling story or message – with each image strong enough to stand on its own while conveying a greater narrative when viewed in the photographer’s desired sequence.

Rules and regulations are below for reference. The 2024 competition will reopen January 15, 2024. 

Entry Guidelines

  • Each essay submitted is to consist of three (3) to five (5) images.
  • We suggest photographers include only those images required to tell their story - unnecessary images may reduce the overall impact of submissions.
  • Please include a short description of the photo essay.
  • ENTRY DEADLINE: Wedensday, May 1, 2024.
  • $3000 CAD Grand Prize 

2024 Rules and Regulations 

For questions please contact banffmountainphotos@banffcentre.ca.

Selection Process

  • All entries will be viewed by a selection committee chaired by the Festival Director
  • Finalists chosen by this committee will be viewed by an international jury
  • The Grand Prize winner will be announced in June 2024