Sander Vos

The Independent Photographer
is a monthly photography award
& online magazine

SUBMIT PHOTOS MAGAZINE
© Sander Vos

Celebrating photography & supporting emerging artists

color portrait photo of a sadhu and monkey in Varanasi, India by Mahendra Bakle
© Mahendra Bakle
2025 Visual Story AWARD

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

In February, we are looking for photographers who produce compelling narratives in a wide range of genres: portraiture, documentary, street, fine art, travel, and more – Enter today and show us YOUR stories!

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +845k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
B&W photo of Mt.Fuji by Yamamoto Masao
© Yamamoto Masao

Book Review • Black & White

Yamamoto Masao – Small Things in Silence

Editorial RM presents a new edition of Small Things in Silence, Yamamoto Masao’s poetic contemplation of the fleeting beauty found in everyday objects.

MAGAZINE

2025 Visual Story Award

Win $2700 Cash Awards & International Exposure

In February, we are looking for photographers who produce compelling narratives in a wide range of genres: portraiture, documentary, street, fine art, travel, and more – Enter today and show us YOUR stories!

  • Win $2700 in Cash Prizes
  • International Exhibition
  • +845k Instagram Feature
  • Free Online Portfolio
Colorful Fashion photograph of two women with long black hair on red background by Mary Chen
© Mary Chen
color portrait photography of a young monk in Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia by Diana Barthauer
© Diana Barthauer
color landscape and travel photo of men playing on horses by Joe Buergi
© Joe Buergi
color portrait of a veiled girl by Nicola Ducati
© Nicola Ducati
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
Studio self portrait of Anna Karvounari
© Anna Karvounari
color travel photo of women tea picker in Vietnam by Chris Ha
© Chris Ha
black and white portrait photo of women in traditional clothes in Saronic gulf, Greece by George Tatakis
© George Tatakis
Colorful Fashion photograph of two women with long black hair on red background by Mary Chen
© Mary Chen
color portrait photography of a young monk in Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia by Diana Barthauer
© Diana Barthauer
color landscape and travel photo of men playing on horses by Joe Buergi
© Joe Buergi
color portrait of a veiled girl by Nicola Ducati
© Nicola Ducati
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
Studio self portrait of Anna Karvounari
© Anna Karvounari
color travel photo of women tea picker in Vietnam by Chris Ha
© Chris Ha
black and white portrait photo of women in traditional clothes in Saronic gulf, Greece by George Tatakis
© George Tatakis
Colorful Fashion photograph of two women with long black hair on red background by Mary Chen
© Mary Chen
color portrait photography of a young monk in Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia by Diana Barthauer
© Diana Barthauer
color landscape and travel photo of men playing on horses by Joe Buergi
© Joe Buergi
color portrait of a veiled girl by Nicola Ducati
© Nicola Ducati
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
Studio self portrait of Anna Karvounari
© Anna Karvounari
color travel photo of women tea picker in Vietnam by Chris Ha
© Chris Ha
black and white portrait photo of women in traditional clothes in Saronic gulf, Greece by George Tatakis
© George Tatakis
Colorful Fashion photograph of two women with long black hair on red background by Mary Chen
© Mary Chen
color portrait photography of a young monk in Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia by Diana Barthauer
© Diana Barthauer
color landscape and travel photo of men playing on horses by Joe Buergi
© Joe Buergi
color portrait of a veiled girl by Nicola Ducati
© Nicola Ducati
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
Studio self portrait of Anna Karvounari
© Anna Karvounari
color travel photo of women tea picker in Vietnam by Chris Ha
© Chris Ha
black and white portrait photo of women in traditional clothes in Saronic gulf, Greece by George Tatakis
© George Tatakis
Color photography of humpack whale, Joanna L Steidle
© Joanna Steidle
color fine art portrait of women by Maria Bratan
© Maria Bratan
black and white portrait of young boys in Galway, Ireland by Rebecca Moseman
© Rebecca Moseman
color documentary photo of cerenomy at Wat Dhammakaya, Thailand by Aleksandra Lasota
© Aleksandra Lasota
© Kristof Vadino
color portrait photo of man on sand dunes by Joan Morse
© Joan Morse
color portrait travel photo of Ladakhi Woman in Ladakh, India by Abhishek Basak
© Abhishek Basak
Color photography of humpack whale, Joanna L Steidle
© Joanna Steidle
color fine art portrait of women by Maria Bratan
© Maria Bratan
black and white portrait of young boys in Galway, Ireland by Rebecca Moseman
© Rebecca Moseman
color documentary photo of cerenomy at Wat Dhammakaya, Thailand by Aleksandra Lasota
© Aleksandra Lasota
© Kristof Vadino
color portrait photo of man on sand dunes by Joan Morse
© Joan Morse
color portrait travel photo of Ladakhi Woman in Ladakh, India by Abhishek Basak
© Abhishek Basak
Color photography of humpack whale, Joanna L Steidle
© Joanna Steidle
color fine art portrait of women by Maria Bratan
© Maria Bratan
black and white portrait of young boys in Galway, Ireland by Rebecca Moseman
© Rebecca Moseman
color documentary photo of cerenomy at Wat Dhammakaya, Thailand by Aleksandra Lasota
© Aleksandra Lasota
© Kristof Vadino
color portrait photo of man on sand dunes by Joan Morse
© Joan Morse
color portrait travel photo of Ladakhi Woman in Ladakh, India by Abhishek Basak
© Abhishek Basak
Color photography of humpack whale, Joanna L Steidle
© Joanna Steidle
color fine art portrait of women by Maria Bratan
© Maria Bratan
black and white portrait of young boys in Galway, Ireland by Rebecca Moseman
© Rebecca Moseman
color documentary photo of cerenomy at Wat Dhammakaya, Thailand by Aleksandra Lasota
© Aleksandra Lasota
© Kristof Vadino
color portrait photo of man on sand dunes by Joan Morse
© Joan Morse
color portrait travel photo of Ladakhi Woman in Ladakh, India by Abhishek Basak
© Abhishek Basak
Colorful Fashion photograph of two women with long black hair on red background by Mary Chen
© Mary Chen
color portrait photography of a young monk in Erdene Zuu monastery, Mongolia by Diana Barthauer
© Diana Barthauer
color landscape and travel photo of men playing on horses by Joe Buergi
© Joe Buergi
color portrait of a veiled girl by Nicola Ducati
© Nicola Ducati
Portrait of two Nenets children, two little Nenets by Alessio Pannini
© Alessio Pannini
Studio self portrait of Anna Karvounari
© Anna Karvounari
color travel photo of women tea picker in Vietnam by Chris Ha
© Chris Ha
black and white portrait photo of women in traditional clothes in Saronic gulf, Greece by George Tatakis
© George Tatakis
Color photography of humpack whale, Joanna L Steidle
© Joanna Steidle
color fine art portrait of women by Maria Bratan
© Maria Bratan
black and white portrait of young boys in Galway, Ireland by Rebecca Moseman
© Rebecca Moseman
color documentary photo of cerenomy at Wat Dhammakaya, Thailand by Aleksandra Lasota
© Aleksandra Lasota
© Kristof Vadino
color portrait photo of man on sand dunes by Joan Morse
© Joan Morse
color portrait travel photo of Ladakhi Woman in Ladakh, India by Abhishek Basak
© Abhishek Basak

Past Judges

Our competition jury is comprised of esteemed industry figures representing such prestigious agencies and publications as Magnum Photos, VII, National Geographic, Agence Vu'Vogue & GEO.
  • logo of The Guardian and portrait photo of editor Fiona Shields

    Fiona Shields

    Fiona Shields is Head of Photography for The Guardian News and Media Group. With more than two decades of experience, she has delivered talks, mentored photojournalism students, and served as judge of numerous awards and competitions.

  • Judge Steve McCurry Profile Picture

    Steve McCurry

    Celebrated as one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography, American photographer Steve McCurry has created a unique collection of work featuring some of the most famous images of our time.

  • Judge Alessia Glaviano Profile Picture Vogue Logo

    Alessia Glaviano

    Based in Milan, Alessia Glaviano is the Brand Visual Director of Vogue Italia and L’Uomo Vogue. She is responsible for Photo Vogue and was a 2015 World Press Photo jury member.

  • Judge Ed Kashi Profile Picture VII Logo

    Ed Kashi

    Represented by the prestigious VII agency, Ed Kashi is an acclaimed photojournalist and educator who uses photography to explore geopolitical and social issues that define our times.

  • Judge Maggie Steber Profile Picture National Geographic Logo

    Maggie Steber

    A celebrated figure in the photographic community, Maggie Steber works for National Geographic and is part of the renowned VII Photo Agency. She has earned prestigious honors, including the Leica Medal of Excellence, the World Press Foundation Award & a Pulitzer prize.

  • Judge REZA Profile Picture

    REZA

    Founder of Webistan Photo Agency and Explorer of National Geographic, internationally acclaimed Iranian-French photojournalist Reza is a three-times world press winning photographer and recipient of the ICP Infinity Award.

  • portrait of photographer Carol Körting

    Carol Körting

    Carol Körting is a professional portfolio reviewer and the photo editor of the renowned Leica Fotografie International Magazine (LFI) and its online platform, producing and editing countless photographic projects since 2011.

  • portrait of photographer Nikos Economopoulos

    Nikos Economopoulos

    Member of Magnum Photos since 1990, Nikos Economopoulos has published several monographs and his iconic images have been published and exhibited worldwide. Economopoulos regularly teach and work around the world, in the context of his long-term On The Road project.⁠⁠

  • Judge Magdalena Herrera Profile Picture GEO Logo

    Magdalena Herrera

    Magdalena Herrera has worked in books, print, and magazines, spending ten years as head of the photo department at National Geographic before joining Geo France as Director of Photography. She was the chair of the 2018 World Press Photo contest.

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Competition winners

Black & White AWARD January 2025

Winner Subhran Karmakar

Discover all winners

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Upcoming Awards

Each month, photographers submit images to a themed competition judged by an acclaimed artist.

STREET – September 2024
OPEN CALL – October 2024
LANDSCAPE – November 2024
PEOPLE – December 2024
BLACK & WHITE – January 2025
VISUAL STORY – February 2025
STREET – March 2025
COLOR – April 2025
PORTRAIT – May 2025
BLACK & WHITE – June 2025
TRAVEL – July/August 2025

Coor photography of a man taking a bath by Ivelina Berova
© Ivelina Berova

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  • International
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  • Free
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Discover a curation of the best contemporary photography projects, offering space and visibility to the work of international photographers.
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© Swarat Ghosh

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