A full decade of extraordinary visual storytelling. The 10th Annual Unsplash Awards are officially here! To celebrate 10 years, we’re bringing you 10 categories and for the first time, The Decade Award. Submissions are live now: unsplash.com/awards

This illustration by Nastia is nominated for the Illustration of 2026 Award. 🏆🎨 Shortlisted by Pablo DR: “I chose this illustration for its clean composition and simplified forms, where the color contrast conveys freshness, tranquillity, and balance. I also liked how it subtly portrays the passage of time, showing the natural transition from buds to full bloom.” Vote for this illustration at unsplash.com/awards.

This image by Sophia DiDonato is nominated for the Photo of 2026 Award. 🏆 📸 Shortlisted by Toa Heftiba: “It makes me feel something I can’t quite put into words, which is usually what draws me to an image. It feels almost like a visual metaphor: the volcano quietly holding all that power beneath the surface while the soft clouds and light make everything feel strangely calm. Beautiful, atmospheric and a little haunting.” Vote for this image at unsplash.com/awards.

This illustration by Risky Ming is nominated for the Illustration of 2026 Award. 🏆🎨 Shortlisted by Beatriz Camaleão: “This illustration immediately stood out to me. I love the colour palette, the exaggerated scale of the plants, and the way the figure sits within the composition. There’s something playful, peaceful and slightly surreal about it that really drew me in. More than anything, it’s simply an image I enjoyed looking at and kept coming back to.” Vote for this illustration at unsplash.com/awards.

Embark on a visual journey around the globe with this category, as photographers capture the essence of exploration and wanderlust. Official Judge: Angelique Miller from @Expedia Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

This image by Cal Rollins is nominated for the Photo of 2026 Award. 🏆 📸 Shortlisted by Anita Austvika: “Guardian of the River The image captures more than a wildlife encounter—it conveys strength, solitude, and the raw beauty of nature**, frozen in a moment of stillness within a moving landscape. It also speaks to being alone and stranded, like the world itself right now, not knowing which way to go out of ever-accumulating problems, or the safest way to reach dry land. Still, hopefully the bear will find the strength and wisdom within and make a good decision….” Vote for this image at unsplash.com/awards.

Embracing the nostalgia and artistry of analog photography, this category pays tribute to the timeless beauty of film. Official Judge: Harriet Browse from @Polaroid Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

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This illustration by Naila Conita is nominated for the Illustration of 2026 Award. 🏆🎨 Shortlisted by Bessy Caleze: “The illustration doesn't need an explanation; it captures the subject, 'employee cycle,' in one illustration; it is straight to the point.” Vote for this illustration at unsplash.com/awards.

From candid moments to formal portraits, this category showcases the emotions, cultures, and stories that define the human experience. Official Judge: Rob Macneice from @NikonUSA Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

This image by Planet Volumes is nominated for the Photo of 2026 Award. 🏆 📸 Shortlisted by Eugene Golovesov: "This image stood out to me because it feels more like a painting than a photograph…There’s something very calming about it, and I think that’s what I liked most — it creates a feeling without needing to show too much.” Vote for this image at unsplash.com/awards.

In this category, photographers turn fashion and beauty into art, capturing trends and personal style through expert composition. Official Judge: Emily Watts from @HYPEBEAST Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

This illustration by Alghozy is nominated for the Illustration of 2026 Award. 🏆🎨 Shortlisted by Graphicook Studio: “The artist has successfully transformed this familiar structure into a visually captivating illustration. It stands out for its modern, minimalist aesthetic while keeping the subject eye-catching…Furthermore, the artist's choice of perspective brings a unique sense of energy and life to an otherwise ordinary object.” Vote for this illustration at unsplash.com/awards.

Showcasing the creatures that make our world wild, this category celebrates the wonders of the animal kingdom. Official Judge: Alberto Talegon Castro from @WWF Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

This image by Chinh Le Duc is nominated for the Photo of 2026 Award. 🏆 📸 Shortlisted by Clay Banks: “The composition, the time of day, the subjects and the scene. All fantastic.” Vote for this image at unsplash.com/awards.

Combining creativity with technology, the Illustrations category mixes imagination and reality through artistry. Official Judge: @kellyclaws from @MuseumModernArt Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

Illustration of the Year 🎨 We’ve teamed up with 10 community panellists to curate a collection that showcases some of the most impactful illustrations on Unsplash in 2026. Vote for the illustration that resonates most with you. The winner will receive $500 USD and gifted prizes. Thanks to Luminar, @wandrdgear, and @NanliteGlobal & GutekGloba Cast your votes at unsplash.com/awards

This category showcases nature’s beauty, from vast landscapes to macro details, transporting viewers to the outdoors. Official Judge: Sarah Gardner from @NatGeo Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

Photo of the Year 📸 We’ve teamed up with 10 community panellists to curate a collection that showcases the most impactful photos on Unsplash in 2026. Now it’s up to YOU. Vote for the image that resonates most with you. The winner will receive $500 USD and gifted prizes. Thanks to Luminar, @wandrdgear, and @NanliteGlobal & GutekGloba Cast your votes at unsplash.com/awards

Celebrating the artistry of spaces, this category recognizes exceptional photography that celebrates architectural marvels and interior design. Official Judge: Starr Charles from @Dezeen Head over to unsplash.com/awards to submit to this year’s #UnsplashAwards

To celebrate a decade of extraordinary creativity, we’re introducing a brand-new, exclusive category: The Decade Award 🏆 This award honors the most iconic image from the past 10 years, celebrating images that shaped Unsplash and changed the community's careers. Our team hand-selected the top 10 nominees from the past awards, and now it’s up to you. The Unsplash community will vote to choose the final winner. The winner will receive a digital cover feature, $500 USD, and gifted prizes thanks to our sponsors Luminar, @wandrdgear, and @NanliteGlobal & Gutek Global Cast your votes at unsplash.com/awards