The NZIPP Iris Awards are the NZIPP’s commitment toward raising the profile and standard of professional photography in New Zealand. Entering the awards offers photographers professional development opportunities that will:

• • Allow you to challenge your creative boundaries;
  • Extend your photographic practices and expertise;
  • Provide personal achievement and professional recognition amongst your peers;
  • See some of the very best of NZ and international photographic talent awarded and on display.

With strong sponsorship support and media interest, the NZIPP Iris Awards are an excellent opportunity for professional photographers to leverage from as part of their business marketing.

This year’s awards event will culminate with a premier awards presentation that includes the announcement of the coveted title of New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year.

The NZIPP Honours Council wishes you all the best for an exciting and successful year!

Entry into the NZIPP Iris Awards is open to:

• • all professional photographers nationally and internationally – a professional is defined as a person who earns an income in the professional photography industry.
  • students enrolled in and studying photography or other creative arts programmes, full or part-time, at a recognised NZ or Australian tertiary institute. students may also enter the student category in the year immediately following the cessation of their studies providing that the entries were created during their final year of study.

There are many changes to the Call for Entries this year so we encourage you to read it all through carefully. Some details are no longer in this document but are found on the website such as how to prepare your prints and files.

We’ve outlined a few key changes below. This list does not cover all changes so we once again encourage you to read the entire document thoroughly.

1. You can enter up to 12 images this year. All 12 images can be entered into one category, or across multiple categories up to a maximum of 12 entries in total. To be a contender for a category award, you need to enter a minimum of 3 images into one category. Students can still only enter 4 images in total, and only in the Student category.

2. The open and close date for online entries is the same for all entrants this year.

3. Third party physical backdrops are allowed in any category.

4. The Creative category has had some changes, and now allows mixed media works.

5. Significant changes have been made to the Documentary category rules.

6a. There is a significant change to the Wedding categories. The Wedding Category is for images photographed at an actual wedding event and allows the photographer to enter images that include all forms of post production, including composites.

6b. The Wedding Open category is for images photographed with a wedding theme, but not on the actual wedding day. Images photographed in styled shoots, trash the dress or engagement shoots can be entered into this category.

7. An Animal category has been introduced.

8. Changes to the techniques allowed in the Landscape category have been made.

9. The Gala Dinner is themed this year. We look forward to seeing you at our Masquerade Ball in your Tuxedos and Tiaras!

The Call for Entries document is your main source of information about the 2023 Iris Awards.  Please download the PDF file and ensure you read it carefully.  Feel free to print the sections that are relevant to the categories you’re entering.

There is some additional information on this site such as:

• • Entry Preparation Information.
  • Awards and Prizes that can be won.
  • Judging Schedule (set once entries have closed)
  • View winners and awarded entries from previous years.

Thank you for your interest and participation in the 2023 NZIPP Iris Awards!