About the Ilford Orloff Awards
The Ilford Orloff Awards
The Ilford Orloff Awards, established in 2023, have become Western Australia’s premier photographic competition.
The Ilford Orloff Awards are designed for professional photographers in WA with the purposes of providing the following benefits;
- Entrants to receive feedback and critique on their images entered in these Awards.
- Entrants and non-entrants to hear feedback and critique of other images, so that they may learn and grow and continue their development as talented, skilled professional photographers.
- Entrants to gain peer recognition and reward for outstanding imagery.
- Entrants to have an opportunity to market any successes (awards) they may receive for their imagery.
- An exhibition of prints to promote the industry and to the wider community a `snap shot’ of Professional Photography work in WA
- The celebration and sharing of the passion of the craft and skill of pro photography.
- The creation of a community of fellowship and support between pro photographers and all who work in the industry.
- A networking opportunity with peers and all industry folk, particularly the sponsors who support the awards.
- Promotion of the occasion and to broaden awareness of what pro photographers are capable of producing.
- An immersion, celebration, recognition and the awarding of creativity, innovation and craft.
The 2026 Awards Sections
Each entry to the 2026 Ilford Orloff Awards will be made in one of the following three Sections:
1. Photographic Stills Section
2. Video and Media Section
3. State Library of Western Australia Narrative Award Section
Full Rules for all sections are available via download from this website.
Download the PDF at https://www.orloffawards.prophotographywa.com.au/rules-2026
Photographic Stills Section
Entries to the Photographic Stills Section are made into one or more genre-based categories as either folios or single entries. Folio entries will be eligible to win both the category entered and the 2026 Ilford Orloff – Western Australian Professional Photographer of the Year award.
Both folio and single entries will be eligible to win best print award in the category entered, as well as other special awards.
Categories
The following categories are available, each with their respective rules.
Fine Art/Creative
Portrait and Wedding
Documentary
Landscape
Wildlife and Nature
Commercial and Commissioned
Students may enter the separate Student Award part of the Photographic Stills Section.
1. The Photograhic Stills judging of entries is in two stages.
Stage 1: The judging of digital images - open judging and interested public are welcome to the State Library of Western Australia to watch the judging in person.
See Key Dates: https://www.orloffawards.prophotographywa.com.au/2026-key-dates
Stage 2: The judging of finalist printed folios - closed judging (and results are secret!)
Video and Media Section
The Video and Media Section celebrates the art of motion, sound, editing and presentation by weaving technical and creative production with compelling narrative.
- The maximum video length is 5 minutes.
- Video and Media must have been captured within 3 years from the date entries open.
- Entries can only be made by an individual person.
Entries will be assessed on visual craft, storytelling and structure, direction and production decisions, editing, sound and post-production, originality and overall impact.
State Library of Western Australia Narrative Award Section
This Section of the Awards celebrates imagery that is dynamic and storytelling in nature, evoking the culture and history of Western Australia. There is no time limit of when the images were captured. However, the images must have been captured within Western Australia. The emphasis is not solely on professional quality.
Any entrant into the Orloff Awards State Library Narrative Section may choose to submit their images for consideration for inclusion in the State Library of WA collection by following the directions found on its website.
Awards Presentation Evening and
2026 Exhibition Opening
A ticket to the 2026 Ilford Orloff Awards Presentation Evening on the 5th November, begins with the formal awards announcements presentation at the State Library of Western Australia, and the opening of the 2026 Ilford Orloff Print Exhibition.
The evening will include the announcement of the 2026 Ilford Orloff Award winners. The formalities will conclude with the announcement of the overall winner: 2026 Ilford Orloff WA Professional Photographer of the Year.
Following the Theatre presentation, guests will move to a nearby venue to continue the celebrations. The event ticket includes entry to the awards presentation and the post-presentation celebration, with hospitality included as part of the evening.
The evening is designed to recognise the achievements of all entrants while giving guests time to connect, celebrate and enjoy the atmosphere after the formal awards have concluded.
Finalist prints will be exhibited at the State Library of Western Australia at the 2026 Ilford Orloff Print Exhibition across Levels 1 and 2, creating a significant public showcase for professional photographic work. Each print in the print exhibition has a unique number with details of the photographer and an image caption. Use the link to search by image number or photographer. https://www.orloffawards.prophotographywa.com.au/exhibition-gallery
The exhibition is presented in partnership with the State Library. https://slwa.wa.gov.au/whats-on/ilford-orloff-awards-0
We are very grateful for the support that the State Library of Western Australia provide the Ilford Orloff Awards. We are incredibly fortunate in WA to have finalists prints exhibited in a public space, giving the work life beyond judging and allowing the broader community to experience photography in print.
The competition, the organisers, entrants and all those participating should aspire to the following principles.
- Having a constructive and respectful approach to all other people.
- To recognise and applaud creativity and innovation.
- Acknowledge, appreciate and respect all who volunteer to organise, manage and run these awards.
- To acknowledge and openly appreciate the support from the sponsors and consider using their services where possible.
The Photographic and Video Awards are run by the Ilford Orloff Awards Committee, which is a subcommittee of Pro Photography WA.
Contact Pro Photography WA - admin@prophotographywa.com.au
