2026 European Photography Awards: Winners Across Categories
On August 16, 2026, the International Awards Associate revealed the winners of the 2026 European Photography Awards, which received over 3,000 entries from 40 nations. Michelle Valberg from Canada was honored as Professional Photographer of the Year for her work 'Edge of the Feast,' winning a prize of $3,000. The title of Amateur Photographer of the Year went to Thea Mihu from Germany for her piece 'The White Harvest,' earning her $2,000. Other category winners included Derry Ainsworth (Architecture – Drone), Lucas Dragone (Editorial – General News), Eva Wang (Fine Art – Portrait), and several others. The blind selection process highlighted a variety of photographic styles.
Key facts
- Over 3,000 submissions from more than 40 countries.
- Michelle Valberg named Professional Photographer of the Year for 'Edge of the Feast'.
- Thea Mihu named Amateur Photographer of the Year for 'The White Harvest'.
- Nine category winners announced across architecture, editorial, fine art, nature, and people photography.
- Valberg received $3,000 and a statuette; Mihu received $2,000 and a statuette.
- Winners selected through a blind evaluation process.
- Platinum, Gold, and Silver recipients recognized across 13 categories.
- Thomas Brandt, spokesperson for the International Awards Associate, commented on the winners.
Entities
Artists
- Michelle Valberg
- Thea Mihu
- Derry Ainsworth
- Lucas Dragone
- Eva Wang
- Roberto Pazzi
- Felipe Martín-Serrano Ortiz
- Philipp Schmieja
- Andreia Costa
- Sou Fujimoto
- Leni Riefenstahl
Institutions
- European Photography Awards
- International Awards Associate
- Nikon
- Order of Canada
- Canadian Geographic
- Royal Canadian Geographical Society
- The Explorers Club
- World Photographic Cup
- Project North
- PetaPixel
Locations
- British Columbia
- Great Bear Rainforest
- Canada
- Germany
- Vietnam
- Hon Khoi Salt Fields
- Dong Ninh Hoa Ward
- Hong Kong
- Kowloon
- Central
- Wuhan
- Belgium
- South Georgia
- Italy
- Montpellier
- France
- South Kordofan
- Sudan
- Guatemala
- Fuego volcano
- Iceland
- Arctic