Foto Forum Santa Fe is pleased to announce an open call for our 2026 Foto Forum Santa Fe Photography Award, an annual international competition open to emerging and established artists. This marks the sixth year of the Foto Forum Santa Fe Photography Award, and we are proud to be able to increase the cash prize for the winner! The selected photographer receives a two month solo exhibition in our Santa Fe gallery down the street from SITE Santa Fe located in the Railyard Art District and $2,500 in Cash and Prizes: $1,000 Cash Prize, $1,500 Gift Certificate to Visions Photo Lab, plus a $500 stipend towards delivering the work to the gallery and having the work returned to the artist.
The 2025 Foto Forum Santa Fe Photography Award was juried by Katie Clifford, and awarded a $1,000 cash prize and two month solo exhibition to Federico Estól, 2nd Place award of $500 Gift Certificate to Visions Photo Lab and a two month online gallery show featured on our website awarded to Matt Eich, and six Honorable Mentions.
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Foto Forum Santa Fe is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates an artistic space to explore the current relationship between photography, storytelling, science, and technology through artist exhibitions, workshops, visiting artist lectures, research, and community outreach. The Photography Award expands upon Foto Forum’s commitment to showcasing both contemporary work from established artists and giving opportunities for emerging photographers to find an audience.
The 2026 Foto Forum Santa Fe Photography Award is accepting entries November 8th, 2025 through March 5th, 2026 midnight 12am MT, with results announced in mid-April and the show to open June 5th, 2026. Photographers are invited to submit up to twelve images at least 1mb in size but not bigger than 2mb files or videos from a related body of work that is ready for exhibition.
This year's Juror, Ray Potes, will choose the winner based on creativity, cohesion, maturity, and quality of the work.
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We also think it is encouraging to know that our executive director Sage Paisner has identified artists that have been added to our gallery roster who entered but did not win the award. We highly encourage you to take the time and effort to apply.
First Place Award: receives a two month solo exhibition in our Santa Fe gallery down the street from SITE Santa Fe located in the Railyard Art District and $2,500 in Cash and Prizes: $1,000 Cash Prize, $1,500 Gift Certificate to Visions Photo Lab, plus a $500 stipend towards delivering the work to the gallery and having the work returned to the artist.
Eligibility: All artists 18 years or older
Fee: $30 Discounted Early Bird until January 22nd, 2026, then $40 until February 24th, $50 late entry until March 5th.
Students/Seniors/Members email for 20% discount coupon
Award: a two month solo exhibition in our Santa Fe gallery down the street from SITE Santa Fe located in the Railyard Art District and $2,500 in Cash and Prizes: $1,000 Cash Prize, $1,500 Gift Certificate to Visions Photo Lab, plus a $500 stipend towards delivering the work to the gallery and having the work returned to the artist.
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IMPORTANT DATES
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November 8th, 2025 - January 22nd, 2026: Early Bird Entry Discounted ($30)
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January 23rd, 2026 - February 24th, 2026: Standard Entry ($40)
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February 25th, 2026 - March 5th, 2026: Late Entry ($50)
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​March 15th, 2026: Jury Selection Begins
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April 18th, 2026: Results Announced; Winner Contacted
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June 5th, 2026: Solo Exhibition Opening Reception
About The Juror
Ray Potes
Ray Potes began his obsession with shooting photos and making zines at age 14 in San Diego. He has been doing the same ever since. Now based in San Francisco, he runs and operates Hamburger Eyes, both a magazine and publishing house dedicated to black and white photography.
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Established in 2001, Hamburger Eyes has developed it’s own signature brand of photography and provided an outlet for both upcoming and established photographers worldwide.
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It was realized early on that the magazine itself can sometimes be limiting, offerings would have to expand. Hamburger Eyes has since produced over 200 titles of zines, magazines, and books alongside countless exhibitions, commissions, and collaborations of all shapes and sizes.
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Ray has worked on many projects with many companies and institutions including the SFMOMA, Calgary Contemporary, Oakland Museum of Contemporary Art, Innen, Arches Global, Futur, Supreme, Keep Company, Facebook, Instagram, Burgerlords, Levi’s, Vans, Giant Robot, Mike’s Barbershop, Huf, Vice, Airbnb, Nike, Etnies, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Primitive Skills, Apartamento, In4mation, Honolulu Weekly, Honolulu Star Bulletin, Transworld Media, and more.
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How To Apply
We have partnered with CaFE (CallForEntry.org) to administer the applications. Click on the button below to be taken to our CaFE listing where you can quickly apply. If you already have a CaFE account, you can immediately start the application process. Don't yet have a CaFE account? It's free to join and takes about 5 minutes.
Entry Fee: $30 Discounted Early Bird until January 22nd, 2026, then $40 until February 24th, $50 late entry until March 5th.
Students/Seniors/Members email for 20% discount coupon