Selection
Selected by our curators as a strong, meaningful photograph.
The foundation of your career progress.
How Your Career Progress Works
Your level is built on lifetime points from selected photos. Progress never resets.
- Every selected photo earns at least +1 point
- Exceptional work may earn +2 or +3
- Higher quality accelerates your career progress
How Points
Work
No seasons. No resets.
Curator's Choice
Recognized for originality, composition, and emotional impact.
A signal of creative growth.
Editor's Choice
Reserved for exceptional visual mastery.
Rare distinction with accelerated career impact.
Two Career Paths
One builds your career over time. The other crowns the best of the year. Progress is built through selected photos over time.
Every month photographers submit their work.
Our editors select the strongest images.
Each selected photo earns lifetime points — building your long-term career progress and professional status.
Selections also count toward annual awards, where rankings reset each year.
CAREER PROGRESS
Your long-term professional journey.
A permanent system that tracks your professional progress over time.
Career levels unlocked through lifetime selections.
Every selection builds your permanent career
Progress never resets
Levels unlock rewards & recognition
Learn how your career grows from Newcomer to Diamond.
ANNUAL AWARDS
Compete for the title each year.
A yearly competition with fresh rankings where the best photographers are awarded annually.
Photographer
of the Year
Top 3
Top 5
Top 10
Past results don't carry over — only this year's work counts.
Compete for Photographer of the Year
Top 10 / Top 5 / Top 3 rankings
One season = one year
Ranking resets every year
See who reached the top this year.
You can do both: earn lifetime points while
competing in annual awards.
Ready to start your journey?
Join & Upload Your First PhotoWhat's new in Iphone Photo Awards
How the system works now
Since 2015 we've recognized the world's best iPhone photographers. Today Iphone Photo Awards is a permanent lifetime recognition system
No seasons. No resets.
Each selected photo earns lifetime points and moves you forward.
The Recognition System
Points System
Starting September 2026, this is one of the biggest updates to the platform: a points system built to make judging even fairer and more transparent. Every selected photo earns +1, +2, or +3 points based on quality, and points never reset. Stronger work earns more points, so photographers who consistently deliver exceptional images rise faster — both in the annual ranking and through the career levels, from Newcomer to Diamond.
Career Levels
The tier progression system is now clearer and more accessible than before, with two new levels — Newcomer and Diamond. Advance from Newcomer → Member → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond.
Badges & Achievements
A transparent editorial recognition system based on clear, visible criteria.
Certificates & Milestones
Receive digital or printed certificates as you move through levels (upcoming)
Annual Awards
Compete separately each year for Photographer of the Year, Top 10, Top 5, Top 3.
Visible Progress
Your profile acts as a professional record of your level, points, and achievements.
Your journey is now visible, measurable, and celebrated every step of the way.
Explore Career Recognition
Become a Member & Start Your Journey
Start building your lifetime story with Iphone Photo Awards.
Join Iphone Photo Awards