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Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards

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Discover Brisbane from a new perspective with the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards.

Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026

The Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards is an annual competition open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Brisbane.

This year entrants were asked to capture the theme, Everyday Brisbane, through images that reflect genuine moments, people and places that define the city’s character. From hardworking locals to iconic river views and familiar streetscapes, the theme celebrated the beauty of everyday life in Brisbane.

Entries for this year's awards closed on 5 June 2026.

We received more than 2,200 entries and would like to thank each person who entered.

Hero image: Kylie Facey

2026 winners

The Lord Mayor is pleased to announce the winners of the Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026.

View the winning images from each category at our exhibition locations.

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Open Category Winner - Tyler Sharman - Rush hour. Black and white image of man holding an umbrella running across a city street during rain.

Open Category - Winner


Name: Tyler Sharman
Title: Rush hour
Description: I captured this photograph on a very rainy day on the corner of Edward and Adelaide Streets. People were in a rush to stay dry.
Suburb taken: Brisbane City
Prize: $5,000

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Open Category 2nd Place Winner - Nigel Wesley - Shooting the breeze. Two men talking in the front yard of a house.

Open Category - 2nd Place


Name: Nigel Wesley
Title: Shooting the breeze
Description: Just a typical afternoon, shooting the breeze with my neighbour.
Suburb taken: Wynnum
Prize: $2,000

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Open Category 3rd Place Winner - Jonathan Wood - Australia

Open Category - 3rd Place


Name: Jonathan Wood
Title: Australia
Description: No screen. No Netflix. Sprinkler, trampoline and a summer's day.
Suburb taken: Bulimba
Prize: $1,000

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Student Category Winner - Maria Pena - Quiet Mornings. Early morning view of Edward Street, Brisbane City.

Student Category - Winner


Name: Maria Pena
Title: Quiet mornings
Description: Curvy view.
Suburb taken: Brisbane City
Prize: $1,500

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Social Media Category Winner - Alex Hardings - When the fountains sleep. Two people in silhouette under lights outside the Queensland Art Gallery.

Social Media Category - Winner


Name: Alex Harding
Title: When the fountains sleep
Description: Taken outside the Queensland Art Gallery. Once the fountains turn off for the night, there is a unique opportunity to capture a moment of two friends walking illuminated by the lights.
Suburb taken: South Brisbane
Prize: $1,500

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Green Heart Category Winner - Nicolas Willemsen - Council of the 'Crest' fallen Choir. Two sulphur crested cockatoos in vivid colour against a black background, one attentive and the other in a classic cheeky pose.

Green Heart Category - Winner


Name: Nicolas Willemsen
Title: Council of the 'Crest'fallen Choir
Description: Two sulphur crested cockatoos in vivid colour against a black background, one attentive and the other in a classic cheeky pose. Local symbols, local legends.
Suburb taken: The Gap
Prize: $1,500

Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Lavonne Bobongie Award Winner - Lewis Bin Doraho - Flying low. A Boeing FA18F Super Hornet caught mid-flight during the Riverfire practice run in September 2025.

LaVonne Bobongie Award Winner


Name: Lewis Bin Doraho
Title: Flying low
Description: Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet caught mid-flight during the Riverfire practice run September 2025.
Suburb taken: Brisbane City
Prize: $1,500

ord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner - Laurie McDonnell - Colours of the city. The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge all dressed up in the Brisbane Festival decorations.

Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner


Name: Laurie McDonnell
Title: Colours of the city
Description: The Kangaroo Point Green Bridge all dressed up in the Brisbane Festival decorations.
Suburb taken: Brisbane City
Prize: $500

Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner - Wendy Klein - Brisbane Afterglow. Radiating sunset clouds frame Brisbane's skyline and Story Bridge creating a dramatic evening scene above the Brisbane River.

Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner


Name: Wendy Klein
Title: Brisbane Afterglow
Description: Radiating sunset clouds frame Brisbane's skyline and Story Bridge creating a dramatic evening scene above the Brisbane River.
Suburb taken: Brisbane City
Prize: $500

Lord Mayor's Photographic Awards 2026 - Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner - Nicola Laidlow - Brisbane Festival. Nighttime view of the Story Bridge with colourful fireworks exploding above.

Brisbane Postcards Collection Winner

Name: Nicola Laidlow
Title: Brisbane Festival
Description: Festival events like Riverfire, show that Brisbane isn’t just a place to live—it’s a community that thrives on connection, celebration and a shared outdoor lifestyle.
Suburb taken: New Farm
Prize: $500

2026 image exhibitions

You can view the winning images of each category and the People’s Choice Award finalists at the following locations.

Venue Display details Dates
Brisbane Square Foyer
266 George Street, Brisbane City
People's Choice finalists and the category winner images displayed Monday 3 August to Friday 28 August
Museum of Brisbane
Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane City
Category winner images displayed Saturday 1 August to Sunday 1 November
Brisbane Airport
Domestic Terminal (Qantas and Virgin ends)
Two locations within the domestic terminal will display a selection of category winner images Monday 3 August to Monday 31 August

Terms and conditions

Download the terms and conditions for more information about the awards.