Encouraging + Celebrating the Art of Australian Photography

Opening Soon

Entries Open Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Originally known as the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards, the newly named People First Bank Photographic Awards will open to professional and amateur photographers from 9am AEST on Tuesday, 30 July 2024.

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.

2024 Categories

Open Category

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.

Theme Category -"Connection"

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.

Illustrative Category

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.

Terms & Conditions

About the Awards

About the Awards

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?

As you may know, Heritage Bank recently merged with a like-minded banking organisation, People’s Choice Credit Union. One of the benefits of this merger is that we're able to continue community programs such as the Photographic Awards. This year will be the 36th year of the Awards!

Who is People First Bank?

As you may know, Heritage Bank recently merged with a like-minded banking organisation, People’s Choice Credit Union. Combined we are now 'People First Bank', a national mutual that presents a compelling alternative to the listed banks. This is a fresh new brand that builds on our past, reflects the deep roots and values of both organisations, and is underpinned by the feedback from our people and members who told us they wanted us to continue to put people first. Find out more here.
Exhibition Gallery 2023

Major Winners

  • Open Winner – ‘Bonded Three' by Rochelle James
  • Theme Winner – ‘First Taste of Summer’ by Melissa Crisa
  • Illustrative Winner - 'Day in the life' by Frances Terlich
  • Mobile Phone Award – ‘Hell's Gate’ by Lyn Aberneth
  • CEO Choice – ‘The Can of Ham’ by Steve Day

 

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.

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