Calling All Young Photographers: Competition Details

Calling all creative kids! The much-loved Little Sydney Lives Photography Competition is back for 2026, inviting young photographers aged 5 to 12 years to capture the magic of everyday life in Sydney.

Part of the popular Art & About Sydney program, this exciting competition celebrates how children see the world — from big city adventures to small, meaningful moments.

A chance to see Sydney through young eyes

Whether it’s a colourful street, a quiet sunrise, siblings at play or a fun family outing, kids are encouraged to get creative and tell their story through photography. The brief is wide open — think fun, imaginative, emotional or even a little quirky.

Entries can be taken anywhere in Sydney, using a camera or phone, making it easy for kids to participate wherever they are.

Exciting exhibition opportunity

Up to 20 finalist images will be selected and showcased in a public exhibition at Customs House, one of Sydney’s most iconic cultural spaces. Even better — the exhibition will run for 12 months from 25 September 2026, giving young photographers a rare chance to have their work professionally displayed.

What you can win

There are some fantastic prizes up for grabs:

Winner: OM System camera pack valued at $2,199
Runner-up: OM System camera pack valued at $1,299

Winners will be announced at the official exhibition opening on Saturday 26 September 2026.

Key dates to remember

Entries close: Sunday 17 May 2026 (11:59pm)
Finalists notified: June 2026
Exhibition opens: Friday 25 September 2026

Entry details

Open to children aged 5–12 years
Submit up to 2 images
Images must be:
- JPEG format (max 5MB)
- Landscape orientation
- Taken in Sydney
- Captured between 13 April 2025 and 17 May 2026
Photos must be original and not use any AI or generated elements

How to enter

Entries are submitted online via the Art & About Sydney website. It’s quick, simple, and a wonderful opportunity for kids to express their creativity.

If you’ve got a budding photographer at home, this is the perfect chance to let their imagination shine. Grab a camera, head out into Sydney, and start snapping — you never know, their photo could be on display for the whole city to see!