This year's Photography Competition prizes are:
National Historic Ships UK's Photographer of the Year 2026
Chosen by the judges from the winners of the other five categories
- £500 cash prize, courtesy of Dennett Boat Builders
- Copy of The Chart Book by John Blake, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
- Specially commissioned trophy, courtesy of Beckett Rankine
Time
Our 2026 Photography Competition theme, chosen to mark the occasion of National Historic Ships UK's 20th Anniversary in 2026
- £500 cash prize, courtesy of Trinity Buoy Wharf
- Copy of The Book of Sea Monsters by Premu Arasu, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
- Specially commissioned trophy, courtesy of Beckett Rankine
Classic Boat Award
For an image which encapsulates the essence of maritime heritage at its best, shortlisted by the Editor of Classic Boat magazine.
- £250 cash prize, courtesy of Classic Boat
- Signed copy of Bosun’s Bag by Tom Cunliffe, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
- Specially commissioned trophy courtesy of Classic Boat
People’s Choice Award
Our only category voted for by the public. Four monthly winners will be chosen via public vote and entered into a final vote in September to decide the overall Winner.
- £250 cash prize, courtesy of Fat Beehive
- Copy of History of Sailing in 100 Objects by Barry Pickthall, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
- Specially commissioned trophy, courtesy of Beckett Rankine
- The four monthly winners will receive a copy of either Why Sailors Can’t Swim by Nic Compton or Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat by Martin Robson, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
Newcomer of the Year
An award for photographers who have not entered the competition before.
- £250 cash prize, courtesy of Shipshape and Bristol Fashion
- Copy of Tales of the Captain’s Log by The National Archives, courtesy of Adlard Coles Nautical Publishing
- Specially commissioned trophy, courtesy of Beckett Rankine
Faces of the Sea
A favourite category from previous years, brought back for our 20th Anniversary.
- £250 cash prize, courtesy of Maritime Heritage Trust
- Signed copy of Dock Life Renewed by Niki Gorick, courtesy of Niki Gorick
- Specially commissioned trophy, courtesy of Beckett Rankine
Winners will be announced in November in our annual Awards film, supported by Beckett Rankine and the Marsh Charitable Trust. The winning and a selection of the best entries may also be featured in our 2027 Calendar, sponsored by Park Lane Press, and 2027 Photography Exhibition at Historic Dockyard Chatham.