Local photographers have until Saturday 31 October 2026 to enter Bayside Council’s annual photography competition, which has a $4,300 prize pool and a new category celebrating the area’s buildings and public spaces.
The competition opened on 1 October and invites Bayside residents to document the places, people and details that make their neighbourhoods distinctive. Council says entries can range from coastal scenes and waterways to everyday community life, streets, architecture and the natural environment.
What’s new this year?
The new Built Design category gives photographers a chance to focus on the area’s built environment. Council suggests subjects ranging from historic architecture to contemporary public spaces, including smaller design features people may pass every day without noticing.
The other categories announced by Council are Open, Natural Environment, Waterways, Transport, Active, Neighbourhood and Junior. Together with Built Design, that makes eight categories.
What happens to the winning photos?
Alongside the $4,300 prize pool, the selected winning photographs and a curated collection of finalist images are expected to be displayed in public places early in 2027.
Council has identified The Grand at Eastlakes, the Brighton-Le-Sands Boardwalk and the T1 International Arrivals Terminal at Sydney Airport as planned exhibition locations.
That means successful photographers may see their work viewed by residents and visitors across several well-used Bayside locations, rather than only at an awards presentation.
How to take part
The competition welcomes passionate amateur photographers as well as experienced creatives. People considering entering should check Council’s full competition rules for eligibility, entry requirements and any applicable photo permissions before submitting.
The deadline is Saturday 31 October 2026. Council’s official photography competition announcement is the starting point for entry information.
For anyone who enjoys taking photos around Bayside, this is an opportunity to capture local places from a fresh perspective, whether that is a waterfront landscape, a neighbourhood street or a striking building detail.