Enter the Open House Festival Photography Competition 2026 in partnership with Story of Home
What if the smallest detail could completely change the way you see a space?
This September, we’re inviting you to look a little closer, get creative and capture the moments that might otherwise go unnoticed as part of the Open House Festival Photography Competition 2026, in partnership with Story of Home.
The theme for this year’s competition is “The detail that changed everything”.
It could be an unexpected architectural feature that catches your eye, the choice of material that brings texture and character to a room, or the way natural light falls across a wall, creating shadows that transform the atmosphere? Perhaps it’s a vibrant splash of colour that brings a space to life, an intricate piece of craftsmanship or a tiny detail that reveals something about the history of a building? The judges will be looking for your creativity, composition and how effectively your photograph interprets the theme “The Detail That Changed Everything”.
Prizes
The overall winner will receive a DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Handheld Camera, worth £445, and three runners-up will receive Open City goody bags.
Rules
1. Your photo must be taken at an Open House Festival location between 12-20 September 2026.
2. If people appear in your shot, they shouldn’t be identifiable
Closing date
Sunday 27 September 2026
How to enter:
To enter, please email your photo/s to submissions@open-city.org.uk with the subject line ‘Photography Competition 2026’.
Include the following information in your entry:
*Your full name
*Your address
*Your phone number
*Your email address
*Title of image
*Location of image
*Date image was taken
*Confirm you are aged 18 or over
*Your Instagram handle if you have one (this is so we can tag you if your image is featured by us)
Please note: You must add your name to every photo file you send — we cannot accept entries that have not been submitted correctly.
Entrants can submit up to three photos, these can be sent in separate emails or in one email. Please attach the photos to the email - do not send external download links.
Terms & Conditions
Please read these competition rules before entering.
Eligibility
To enter the competition you must be: (a) UK resident and (b) 18 years old or over at the time of entry. The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers.
Submission
All images submitted must be taken between 12-20 September 2026 at an Open House Festival event. All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. Entrants must warrant that the photograph they are submitting is their own work and that they own the copyright for it. Entries should not have been published anywhere else other than on your own social media. If you do share your image please tag us on Instagram @opencity_uk and@storyofhome.uk but please note, this does not constitute an entry – entries will only be accepted by email.
We kindly ask that images are not shared with any other outlet or competition until after 31 October by which time the winners will be selected and announced.
Copyright
The photographer will retain copyright of the photo, however, by submitting an image, each entrant grants a worldwide licence to Open City and Story of Home to feature any or all of the submitted images in any of their publications, social media and website.
The photographer will be credited any time Open City or Story of Home uses their photo.
Responsibilities
No responsibility can be accepted for entries that are lost or delayed, or which are not received for any reason. Personal information shared with us when you apply is not shared with any third party or used for any other purpose.
Judging
The winner will be chosen by judges comprised of members of the Story of Home team. If you win, we will notify you by email.The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. No part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize.
We can’t wait to see your entries.
Good luck!