Mountain Photo Essay Competition

The 2022 Banff Mountain Photo Essay Competition Grand Prize Announced!

The Grand Prize winner is Emily Garthwaite for her photo essay Guardians of the Zagros.

See the winning essay here!

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 2023 competition will reopen January 15, 2023. 

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: Monday, May 2, 2022.
• $2000 CAD Grand prize 

2022 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 2022