World Photographic Cup 2027: Could Your Image Represent Ireland?

The search for images to represent Ireland at the World Photographic Cup 2027 has begun.

IPPVA members are invited to put forward their strongest work for consideration for Ireland’s national team. This is an opportunity to showcase the quality, creativity and storytelling of Irish professional photography on a truly international stage.

Often described as the “Olympics of photography”, the World Photographic Cup is a unique competition in which photographers compete together as national teams. Each country may enter one team, with medals awarded to individual photographers and points contributing to the country’s overall result.

If you have created an image with exceptional impact, technical excellence and a powerful visual story, we would love to see it.

Submit your image for consideration

IPPVA has created a dedicated Dropbox folder for potential World Photographic Cup 2027 entries.

Submit your image for consideration

Please name your image using the following information:

• Your name
• Your email address
• Your preferred WPC category

For example:

JaneSmith_jane@example.com_NaturalPortrait.jpg

You do not need to submit the original file at this stage. However, if your image is selected, you must provide the original RAW or JPEG file, including its camera EXIF data, as it may be requested later for verification by the competition. If you do not have the original image, please do not submit your file.

Who can represent Ireland?

To represent a country in the World Photographic Cup, a photographer must be a professional or artist photographer and meet one of the following requirements:

• Hold a valid passport for the country they wish to represent; or
• If you are a permanent resident >5 Years

Photographers with dual citizenship must formally declare which country they wish to represent.

Normally, at least 18 months must have passed before a photographer who has previously represented one country may join another national team. An exception may apply when the new country has never previously entered the World Photographic Cup.

World Photographic Cup 2027 categories

Images may be considered across ten categories:

• Commercial
• Illustration/Digital Art
• Nature Landscape
• Nature Wildlife
• Illustrative Portrait
• Natural Portrait
• Reportage/Photojournalism
• Sports
• Wedding Open
• Wedding Reportage (Photojournalism)

A photographer may be selected in more than one category, but only one image by that photographer may be entered in any individual category.

Category fit is extremely important. Editing and post-production restrictions differ considerably between categories, so photographers should review the relevant definition before submitting.

Essential rules for photographers

Before sending an image for consideration, please make sure it meets the principal WPC requirements:

• Entries are submitted collectively as one national team through the designated Team Captain.
• Every photograph and image element must be the submitting photographer’s original work.
• Stock photographs, third-party image elements and AI- or CGI-generated elements are not permitted.
• Images created under the direction of an instructor, photography coach or workshop leader are not eligible.
• Original RAW or JPEG files containing the camera EXIF data must remain available for verification.
• Previously entered World Photographic Cup images cannot be submitted again in any form.
• The photographer must hold the necessary copyright, permissions, permits and model releases.
• Submitted JPEG files must be under 50 MB and measure at least 4,000 pixels on the longest side.
• Files must use an embedded sRGB, Adobe RGB (1998) or greyscale profile.
• Images must not be publicly presented as accepted WPC entries until their validation has been confirmed.

Machine-learning-based tools may be used to retouch or modify photographic elements created by the submitting photographer. However, AI-generated, CGI or third-party visual elements cannot be incorporated into an entry.

The official World Photographic Cup 2027 rules and regulations take precedence and should be reviewed carefully before submitting.

What makes a strong World Photographic Cup entry?

The WPC judging process considers two broad areas: impact and visual language, and technical excellence and composition.

When selecting an image, ask yourself:

• Does it create an immediate emotional or visual impact?
• Is its story or intention clear?
• Does it fit the chosen category precisely?
• Are the lighting, composition, capture and post-production technically excellent?
• Does any editing strengthen the idea without overpowering the photography?
• Could the image hold its own alongside the finest professional photography from around the world?

A winning image does not necessarily need to be the most elaborate. A simple photograph with an unforgettable idea, exceptional execution and genuine emotional power can be equally compelling.

Put your best work forward

Ireland’s World Photographic Cup entry is an opportunity to celebrate the talent, imagination and professionalism within our photographic community.

Whether your strongest work is a beautifully observed portrait, a decisive sporting moment, an extraordinary landscape, a compelling documentary image or an ambitious piece of photographic art, we encourage you to put it forward.

Your image could become part of the team representing Ireland on the world stage.

Submit your image to the IPPVA Dropbox folder

For questions about eligibility, categories or the submission process, contact awards@ippva.com.

2026 Entries by Team Ireland