About the Award
Photographers in Saudi Arabia - pro or amateur, citizen or resident - the Kingdom Photography Award is your chance to inspire. Share shots from your camera or phone, capturing the beauty of our cities, moments, and people through your unique lens.
The Theme: In a New Light
Greeting
In Saudi culture, we greet with ‘Glad to see you’, answered by ‘Bless your eyes’
Welcoming
We say ‘Bless your eyes’ for capturing the beauty of Saudi Arabia with your lenses
Capturing
‘Bless your eyes’ and capture special moments in Saudi
The open call invites photographers to embark on a journey of visual discovery. Submit your entry now - choose between a single impactful photograph or an artistic photo series
Award Concept
Capture the Kingdom's essence through your lens!
Pro or amateur, submit a single shot or series of photographs showcasing Saudi’s vibrant city life, the tranquility of a serene landscape, or the beauty of a special moment, photographers are encouraged to capture the essence of life in all its forms. Win big from a 400,000 Riyal prize pool, exhibit your work globally, and potentially secure an artistic residency. Your unique vision could inspire the world!
Light Up Our World Through Your Lens And Share Your
Vision Inspire.. See.. Capture
Meet Our Jurors
Shannon Ghannam
Australia
Shannon Ghannam is a UK-based photography practitioner, educator, and researcher with 25 years of experience. She is passionate about photography's role in fostering understanding and connection. Currently, she is the Director of Development and Programming at the Peter Marlow Foundation. Shannon has worked with organizations like Magnum Photos, Reuters, and the Australian Red Cross, and she has developed socially engaged photography projects, including with refugee communities. She is a mentor, international lecturer, and a member of the Royal Photographic Society’s Education Committee. Additionally, she collaborates with the Barbican’s Community Impact Collective. Shannon holds a First-Class Honours degree in Photography from the Queensland College of Art in Brisbane, Australia.
Jurors
Photography Competition
Jurors
Photography Competition
Roi Saade
Lebanon
Roï Saade is an interdisciplinary artist and caretaker interested in the intersectionality between design, photography, and the arts. Roi’s process-based practice centers on a close collaboration between artist, designer, and curator. His approach is complemented by comprehensive visual research and creative exchange. He is interested in finding and creating ways to resist systems of domination and inequality. Saade holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon. He is currently a Research Associate and a steering committee member with AIM research lab at Concordia University, Montreal. His recent curatorial ventures include Bound Narratives, a traveling Photobook library and An Expression of Absence, a photography exhibition of 15 photographers from the Arab region.
Jurors
Photography Competition
Jurors
Photography Competition
Rola Khayyat
Lebanon
A Lebanese interdisciplinary artist and curator based in Doha, Qatar. Her work explores new dimensions on the representation of war, memory, and identity. Rola has curated shows in Beirut, Thessaloniki, and New York, such as the BEYroute for the third Thessaloniki Bienniale, Lattice Work at the Black and White gallery, Simmer at Kunstraum LLC. and Light in Wartime at apexart. Her work has been exhibited widely, including exhibitions at the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Okk / raum 29, Catalyst Arts Belfast Photo Festival 2013, the 21st International Istanbul Art Fair and North of History (NY). Khayyat received her B.A. in historical studies from the American University of Beirut (2003), a diploma in Intensive Drawing from the Florence Academy of Art (2005) and an MFA in Visual Arts from Columbia University (2016).
Jurors
Photography Competition
Jurors
Photography Competition
Kholood Saleh Al-Bakr
Saudi Arabia
Kholood Saleh Al-Bakr is a visual artist born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A graduate of English Literature from King Saud University, with a passion and interest in the humanities and social context. Derived from her interest and work in the humanities, Kholood began her journey in street photography, focusing on street portraits of personal inspiration. In 2016, Kholood co-founded Phonart Saudi, a photography and art initiative that aims to introduce smart phones as a contemporary art medium. Kholood has participated and curated an array of art and culture exhibitions, both locally and globally. Her aim is to inspire future generations to participate and explore their artistic instincts and capabilities
Jurors
Photography Competition
Jurors
Photography Competition
Sara Al-Mutlaq
Saudi Arabia
Sara Al-Mutlaq is a curator, writer and interdisciplinary artist living and working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a background in architecture and critical theory, she approaches her curatorial practice through a speculative, research based and deconstructive methodology that aims to unravel to audiences a conscious reflection of the contemporary milieu. Through this lens, and during her time at Saudi’s Ministry of Culture, Sara has developed residency programs, artwork commissions and long-term cultural asset strategies that aim to both entertain and educate.
Jurors
Photography Competition
Jurors
Photography Competition
The Award Stages
Stage 01
Jan
Registration
Submissions now open for photographers who want to enter the competition.
Stage 02
Feb
End of Registration
Registration Closed Expert judges begin evaluating submissions to select the most outstanding works
Stage 03
Winners Revealed
Official announcement of competition winners.
Stage 04
Photography Exhibition
Experience the winning shots of talented photographers displayed alongside stunning works by professionals at Hayy Jameel, Jeddah.
Captivating Shots by the Kingdom's Award-Winning Photographers
Fujifilm
Providing products and services of Healthcare (Medical Systems, Bio-CDMO, and LS Solutions), Electronics (Semiconductor Materials, Display Materials, and Other Electronics Materials), and Imaging (Consumer Imaging and Professional Imaging)
Canon
A Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, specializing in optical, imaging, and industrial products, such as lenses, cameras, medical equipment, scanners, printers, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Leica
A German company that manufactures cameras, optical lenses, photographic lenses, binoculars, and rifle scopes. The company was founded by Ernst Leitz in 1869 (Ernst Leitz Wetzlar), in Wetzlar, Germany.
Additional Information
The Exploratory Trip
“Chapters of Our Kingdom”
The Visual Arts Commission under the Ministry of Culture hosts professional photographers in Al-Ahsa governorate to tell visual stories inspired by the “Chapters of Our Kingdom” using their camera lenses. Their artistic perspectives make every series of frames tell a unique tale about the enchanting nature, rich history, and outstanding culture of the Kingdom.
About the Exhibition
The Kingdom Photography Award Exhibition is your inspirational gate to a top-notch artistic experience that combines visual stories by professional and emerging photographers about the beauty of the Kingdom. You can also join the workshops led by professional artists in the exhibition visitors’ program at Hayy Jameel, Jeddah.