WELCOME TO THE 2026 IRIS AWARDS!
2026 Iris submissions are open:
DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!
ENTRIES NOW CLOSE 11:59PM MONDAY 29TH JUNE 2026 [NZST]
Join us in Christchurch from 8am, Tuesday 4th August – Thursday 6th August, at the Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham St South, Christchurch, New Zealand to watch the live judging in person – or you can watch the Live Stream via our YouTube Channel from home.
The event and judging schedule will be available mid-July
The Iris Professional Photography Awards represent the NZIPP’s commitment to elevating the standard and visibility of professional photography in New Zealand.
They celebrate excellence, originality, and professionalism—recognising photographers who demonstrate outstanding creativity, technical skill, and visual storytelling across all genres.
At their core, the awards uphold the highest standards of integrity. Every image entered must reflect the genuine vision and craftsmanship of the photographer.
Spirit & Intent
The Iris Awards are designed to:
- Honour photographic excellence
Recognising outstanding creativity, technical expertise, and storytelling - Encourage ethical and transparent practice
Ensuring honesty in image creation, with clear distinctions between capture, editing, and manipulation - Support professional growth
Inspiring photographers to challenge themselves and continue developing their craft - Maintain fairness and integrity
Providing a level playing field through clear guidelines on post-production, compositing, AI, and ethical practices
Why Enter?
Entering the Iris Awards is an opportunity to grow, challenge yourself, and gain recognition within the industry. Through participation, photographers can:
- Push creative and technical boundaries
- Refine and elevate their photographic practice
- Gain professional recognition among peers and industry leaders
- Be showcased alongside some of New Zealand’s best photographic talent
The Iris Awards are a strategic tool for your business. With strong sponsorship, industry backing, and public interest, entering provides content, credibility, and recognition you can leverage across your marketing, helping you attract higher-value clients and build trust faster.
Unlike some other Award programmes in the Iris Awards you can choose to submit either a Digital or a Printed entry for the judges to view.
GALA AWARDS EVENING
The competition culminates in a premier Gala Awards Evening on Sunday 9th August, where the industry comes together to celebrate excellence and announce the prestigious title of New Zealand Professional Photographer of the Year. Tickets are on sale NOW and this year’s theme is ‘Golden Hour.’ Tickets are limited and are on sale NOW so make sure you grab your ticket here: https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/product/gala-awards-evening/
COULD YOU BE THE 2026 NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR?
Thanks to our 2026 Iris Awards sponsor CANON we have an amazing prize for this year’s New Zealand Photographer of the Year. They will be able to choose from a range of fabulous Canon products to the value of $10,000 (NZD) RRP!
You need a minimum of 6 entries across any category to be in contention to be a finalist for New Zealand Photographer of the Year. The top 6 images from the top 3 highest scoring entrants overall will be the New Zealand Photographer of the Year finalists.
QUICKLINKS
All the information you need to enter the 2026 Iris Awards can be found on this website!
To help you navigate the page you can use these quick links to find the information you need:
LOOKING FOR THE RULES:
INFO ON SUBMITTING & PREPARING YOUR ENTRY:
WHO CAN ENTER
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.
The Iris Awards are the NZIPP’s commitment toward raising the profile and standard of professional photography in New Zealand.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2026
- Allowing print entries to represent their borders on their digital submission – See Category Specific Rules for digital presentation of print entries
- Combining the Illustrative, and Creative categories
- Removing the Call for Entries Document – so now all the information you need about entering the Iris Awards can be found in one place! Here on this website
- Student category now allows for the use of mixed media
- Wildlife that is baited, uses non-natural backgrounds or utilizes composites are now allowed in the Animal category
- Changes to allow some images taken during a photo tour/workshop – see Global Rule 1.9 for more details
- We will not be providing the Full Print Service this year – but have a list of fabulous printers that you can contact directly to arrange your Iris printing needs
- Changes to the wording of non-awarded images – removing ‘Below Professional Standard’ and ‘Professional Standard’
JOIN US IN CHRISTCHURCH THIS AUGUST!
Come and watch the live judging of the 2026 Iris Awards in-person or the live feedback round of the New Zealand Amateur Photography Awards, and stick around for the New Zealand Photography Show - Work/Shop 2026 - a two-day event offering inspiration, education, networking, and so much more! Purchasing a ticket will also get you in the draw to win an EPIC prize! Check out all the details here: https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/
Get yourself onto a masterclass on Sunday to fully immerse yourself in a specialised area of interest, and finish off the week at the 2026 NZIPP Gala Awards Evening sponsored by CRK and Ilford, to celebrate the success from the Iris Awards and the New Zealand Amateur Awards. https://nzphotoshow.co.nz/product/gala-awards-evening/
IRIS AWARDS 2026 KEY DATES
ONLINE ENTRIES OPEN: 9am Monday 25th May 2026 (NZST)
ONLINE ENTRIES CLOSE: 11.59pm Sunday 28th June 2026 (NZST)
PHYSICAL PRINT DELIVERY: From 9am Monday 13th July 2026 to 5pm Friday 31st July 2026. We cannot accept print boxes before 13 July.
LIVE JUDGING: From approx. 8am daily: Tuesday 4th August, Wednesday 5th August, Thursday 6th August 2026.
Venue: Majestic on Durham, 189 Durham St South, Christchurch.
CATEGORY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: Approx. 8pm Thursday 6th August Live at the Iris Awards Wrap Party. Venue: TBC
GALA AWARDS EVENING – WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT: from 5:15pm Sunday 9th August 2026. VENUE: Majestic on Durham – 189 Durham Street South, Christchurch; THEME: Golden Hour You can purchase tickets here NOW!
PRINT CASE COLLECTION AND POSTAGE: When you enter the Iris Awards, you will need to indicate your preference to collect your print case from the venue on Saturday 8th August 2026 or have it couriered to your address. **PLEASE CHECK YOUR ADDRESS ON AWARD FORCE AT THE TIME OF ENTRY FOR PRINT CASE RETURNS**