Designed to keep the competition fair, ethical, and grounded in photography created close to home.
The RAW Photography Awards celebrate powerful photography created close to home. Every photograph entered into the competition must be taken within 100 km of the photographer’s declared primary residence. These rules exist to ensure the competition remains fair, ethical, and authentic.
RAW is designed to reward observation, patience, and connection with the natural world, rather than travel budgets or access to remote destinations.
All photographs submitted to the RAW Photography Awards must be taken within 100 km (62 miles) of the entrant’s declared primary residence. The 100 km distance is measured as a straight-line radius “as the crow flies” from the declared residence location.
This radius represents almost 32,000 km² of potential photographic territory and is central to the philosophy of the competition. Images captured outside this radius are not eligible. The 100 km rule applies to all competition categories.
Each entrant must declare one primary residence location when submitting entries. This is done by simply dropping a pin on our interactive map after paying via our entry portal. You will be redirected back to our map and simply zoom in to the area around your primary residence and declare this your territory. This location becomes the center of the photographer’s 100 km competition territory. The declared residence must represent the entrant’s normal place of residence, not a temporary location. All declared territories become interactive but anonymous on our map in the Explore area. The following are not acceptable as a declared residence: temporary travel locations, expedition bases, vacation properties, workshop destinations. Multiple photographers may declare similar or overlaping territories. They do not become exclusive.
To maintain anonymity during judging, the photographer’s name should not be in the file name. Submitted images will follow this format automatically so no confusion. You just name it in the submission and we will do the rest.
Category_Subcategory_####_"what you name it".jpg
Example: RAWNeighbors_Birds_12324_Osprey01.jpg or RAWMacro_Mineral_2555752_rock.jpg
Images must meet the following technical requirements:
A photographer must obtain a signed Model Release Form to enter a competition with a recognizable person in the photo. Finalists may be required to submit the original RAW file and additional frames from the same sequence.
Images entered must meet the following conditions: Photographs must be captured by the entrant; Images must be taken within the entrant’s 100 km territory; Photographs must represent authentic moments in nature.
Images created in the following environments are not eligible: zoos, controlled wildlife environments, game farms, staged wildlife photography facilities, baited workshop setups.
The RAW Photography Awards use a layered verification system:
Standard photographic adjustments are permitted: exposure correction, contrast adjustments, colour balance, cropping, sharpening, noise reduction, dust spot removal.
The following techniques are not permitted: HDR exposure blending, compositing multiple images, adding or removing elements, artificial sky replacement, AI-generated imagery.
Focus stacking is permitted for macro, landscape and astrophotography within RAW Macro and RAW Perspective. No composites. Panorama stitching is permitted only in the RAW Perspective category.
The welfare of wildlife must always take priority over photography. Our goal is lofty, but important to understand - RAW Photography Awards aims for absolutely no human interference. Prohibited practices include: calling, flushing, or baiting animals. No use of live prey to attract predators. No disturbing nests or dens, intentionally stressing wildlife.
Drone photography is permitted only within the RAW Perspective - Aeriel (drone) category and must follow all local aviation regulations and wildlife protection rules.
The RAW Photography Awards use AI-assisted technical screening to identify strengths, anomalies, and possible rule violations. Images containing AI-generated elements are not eligible. Winners are picked by humans. See our "Judges" section.
Professionals and Amateurs go head to head but the judging is done blind. Each category awards: Category Gold Medal Winner. If a Professional is the Category winner - there will always be an Amateur Gold Winner as well chosen. An amateur may, however, beat a professional to win the category. Each Subcategory will have a winner (no cash), Highly Commended, and Commended awarded. RAW POTY goes to a single image.
Overall Award: RAW Photographer of the Year
Abstract interpretations of nature are welcome provided the subject belongs to the category entered.
Judges may not enter the competition during the year they are serving on the judging panel. RAW is not about how far you travel. It is about how deeply you learn the place you call home.
RAW Junior is open to photographers under 18 years of age at time of entry. Junior awards include: RAW Junior Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, and Commended. RAW Juniors is free to enter up to 5 (max) photos.
Photographers retain full copyright of all images. By entering, photographers grant the RAW Photography Awards a non-exclusive license to promote the competition.
Entries may be disqualified if they: violate the 100 km rule, contain false information, violate wildlife ethics, contain prohibited editing, or use AI generated imagery.
Entries must be submitted before the official deadline. Entry fees are non-refundable except if the competition is cancelled.
There will be a single entry from the RAW Pets category named RAW Pet Photographer of the Year. There will be Highly Commended and Commended in this extremely competitive division. If it's tame, it's game.
The RAW Photography Awards is a skill-based competition. Winners are selected by a panel of judges based on defined criteria. No element of chance is involved in determining winners.
Entry fees for the RAW Photography Awards are administrative fees used to facilitate the competition. RAW Junior remains free to enter.
The RAW Photography Awards will disclose key material facts including prize values, eligibility region, entry deadlines, and judging criteria across all promotional materials.
Entrants are responsible for obtaining any necessary model or property releases for recognizable individuals or private property appearing in submitted images.
The RAW Photography Awards collect personal information including name, email address, and submitted images solely for the purpose of administering the competition.
Your information will be used to:
Your information will not be sold, rented, or shared with third parties outside of the administration of the RAW Photography Awards, except where required by law.
By entering, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described above.
Entrants may opt-in to receive updates about future RAW Awards and related photography news. Consent must be explicitly provided.
Winners may be required to correctly answer a skill-testing question before being awarded prizes, in accordance with Canadian law.
We had to make a determination on having a separate camera trap division or incorporating them into existing subcategories. We have decided in order to avoid any confusion to simply not allow the submission of camera trap images in any form. We will reassess for future competitions, but as of now — no camera trap photos will be eligible for prizes. My apologies if you submit any before reading this.
RAW celebrates the idea that the most meaningful photographs are often found not across the world — but just outside your door.