Encouraging + Celebrating the Art of Australian Photography
With no cost to enter, this competition encourages photographers all over Australia to explore their surroundings and capture their own little piece of history. With a massive prize pool of over $50,000 across a range of categories and awards, the People First Bank Photographic Awards is one of the most lucrative in the country.
Entries for the 2024 People First Bank Photographic Awards have closed. Thank you to all who submitted images into this years awards. Our judges are now deliberating to determine the winners and finalists, which will be publicly announced on 30 October 2024.
The choice of subject is yours, so it can be anything you like. Photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are invited to enter this category where great imagery is everything and creativity is the key ingredient.
This year's theme of "Connection" opens up a vast array of possibilities, limited only by your creativity. The theme invites a variety of interpretations. It could be the bond between a parent and child, the friendships that shape our lives, the link between nature and humanity, or even the connections we form with new places and experiences. Put your own twist on the subject – it’s totally up to you.
With the rise in digital manipulation of images, the Illustrative category creates a space for these images where the photographer’s creativity in the post-production stage has no limits.
Overall Winners
Illustrative Category Winner
CEO’s Choice Award
Mobile Phone Award
Runners Up
Alwyn Kucks Memorial Award
Graham Burstow Memorial Award
One image will be selected from all entries received that emulates and continues the tradition of Graham Burstow’s social documentary and will receive a $2,000 prize, a Camera House voucher to the value of $100 and a 12 month print & digital subscription to Capture Magazine (values at $19).
Graham Burstow was a great friend of Heritage Bank, and was instrumental in the success of the Photographic Awards since their inception. He was highly regarded within Australian photographic circles and received numerous awards for during his career, including an Order of Australian Medal for Services to Photography awarded in 2004.
To honour his legacy, we've introduced the Graham Burstow Memorial Award, which will now become an ongoing part of our awards. We will be forever grateful to Graham for his contributions to the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards.
Young Photographer Award
Young Photographer age groups:
- 14-17 years
- 10-13 years
- 9 years or younger
one (1) image will be selected from each group and receive a $500 prize, a Camera House voucher to the value of $100 and a certificate of merit.
Alex Cearns OAM
Australian photographer Alex Cearns OAM crafts exquisite animal portraits that convey the intrinsic joy people find in animals. As Creative Director of Perth based Houndstooth Studio, she has photographed more than 15,000 dogs in her studio. Her clients include engaged pet lovers, leading corporate brands and around dozens of Australian and international animal charities and conservation organizations. Her images have been published extensively in worldwide media, books, magazines and ad campaigns.
An undisputed leader in her niche, Alex is the recipient of more than 350 awards for her photography, business and philanthropy. She is an Ambassador for Tamron, Profoto, BenQ, Studio Ninja, SanDisk, Ilford Imaging Australia, and Spider Camera Holster.
Mike O'Connor
Mike O’Connor is the editor of Australian Photography magazine. A career journalist, he started out as a travel photographer and writer in his native New Zealand, where his work has been published across many print and online outlets. Following work as a cadet journalist in India, he worked as a writer and photographer for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), highlighting the work of conservation volunteers across Aotearoa.
Since 2016 he has been responsible for managing Australian Photography’s print and online presence, administering its numerous photography competitions, and promoting the work of Australian photographers of all genres. He lives in Christchurch, NZ, with his wife and two daughters.
Bev Lacey
Bev Lacey is a freelance Photographer with extensive experience in capturing photographs for print media publication products and for online platforms. A creator, and curator, of numerous photographic exhibitions, and appointed judge of multiple photographic competitions, Bev is passionate about sharing the joys of creating through teaching, sharing of creative ideas and concepts.
Syd Owen
Syd has established a reputation as a leader in Portrait and Commercial Photography running a successful business in Toowoomba. Being a family business, Syd’s passion for photography started at a young age, and he has been honing his craft ever since. With over 45 years of experience in the field, he has become known for his exceptional skill and eye for detail, always striving to produce images of the highest quality.
His portfolio includes a diverse range of subjects, from corporate headshots to family portraits, all with his signature style. Syd has been a judge for these awards for over 15 years.
Mark Fitz
Mark is an award-winning photographer who specialises in photographing travel and tourism experiences. He is a winner of the Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year and also hosts photography workshops around Queensland.
Originally known as the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards, the People First Bank Photographic Awards aims to encourage and celebrate the art of Australian photography. People First Bank understands that it has a responsibility to assist the communities it serves to grow and prosper, not just economically but culturally and socially as well. Created by Heritage Bank in 1988, the newly named People First Bank Photographic Awards continues to help foster creativity in the photographic arts.
Offering the Awards not only encourages people to remain active in photography, it also challenges them to extend their skills by recognising greater creativity in their approach. The Awards have also enabled the bank to build a collection of photographic works that is already outstanding in its artistic worth and that will become an even more important contributor to the history of photography in Australia over time.
What is the People First Bank Photographic Awards?
Who is People First Bank?
Download the Photographic Awards History Catalogue (pdf 7MB)
To stay up to date on the People First Bank Photographic Awards, email photographicawards@heritage.com.au to opt in to our mailing list for email reminders and notifications.
This will determine how best we can help.