Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards 2026

The Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards are co-presented by Aperture Foundation and Paris Photo, running since 2012 as one of the photobook world's central prizes. The awards recognize the contribution of the book form to the evolving narrative of photography, with three category prizes and three shortlists exhibited at Paris Photo each November.

The First PhotoBook Prize awards $10,000 to the photographer/artist of the year's best debut photobook, with 20 books shortlisted. PhotoBook of the Year recognizes the year's best photobook across the field (10 shortlisted), and Photography Catalog of the Year honors exhibition catalogues and museum publications (5 shortlisted). Shortlisted books travel as an exhibition and feature in the dedicated PhotoBook Review issue of Aperture magazine.

Eligibility covers photobooks published between September 2025 and September 2026, submitted by photographers, artists, or publishers worldwide. Self-published books are eligible for First PhotoBook and PhotoBook of the Year. Each entry requires a Picter submission (PDF of the full book, jacket scan, product photographs) plus one physical copy mailed to Aperture's New York office. Submissions open June 10, 2026.

Entry fees are tiered: early-bird through July 10 runs $15 (First PhotoBook), $40/$15 (PhotoBook of the Year, depending on country tier), and $40/$15 (Photography Catalog). After July 10 fees double to $30, $60/$30, and $60/$30 respectively. The final deadline is September 4, 2026 at 5pm EDT. Shortlists are announced in October; the winners are revealed at Paris Photo on November 13, 2026.