New York, NY—Attention all photographers! The Empire State Building (ESB) announced that the 12th annual Empire State Building Photo Contest is officially open for entry.
Photographers of all skill levels are invited to submit their photos of the “World’s Most Famous Building.” Furthermore, they can do so in any of 11 categories, including one new category, for the chance to win the $5,000 grand prize. The runner-up prize winner will receive $1,500. What’s more, each category winner will receive a prize of $500.
“The annual photo contest is a beloved tradition at the Empire State Building. We look forward to the entries from our talented fans as they capture unique perspectives of the world’s most photographed building from our reimagined Observatories and beyond,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory.
12th Annual Empire State Building Photo Contest
This year’s 11 entry categories for the Empire State Building photo contest follow.
- ESB x City Wide: pictures of ESB surrounded by the New York City landscape
- Beginner Entry: shots from photo newbies
- Observatory Views: photos featuring ESB’s iconic views taken from one of its observatories
- Sunset & Sunrise: photos of or from ESB during the golden hours
- Smartphone Shot: snaps taken with an iPhone or similar device
- Photoshop/Edit: creative edits from unique backgrounds to starry night skies
- Weather Shot: photos that capture the building in rain, sleet, snow or rainbows
- Nightscapes: shots of the building lit up after sunset
- Video: 30-second video clips of ESB in all her glory
- Youth: a new category for videos and photos from ESB’s 13–17-year-old fans
- General Entry: shots that don’t fit any of the above categories
In addition, participants must submit their photos by September 22, 2023. The public will then have the chance to vote for their favorite contest entries for category winners from November 6–17. They can also vote for the runner-up and grand prize winner from November 27 to December 8.
You can submit entries and votes here. Further, Official contest rules are also online. To view high-resolution images from past winners, click here.
The Empire State Building
The “World’s Most Famous Building” is owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. The skyscraper soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. Moreover, the $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience creates an all-new experience. It features a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries as well as a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows.
The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, a 360º open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their New York City experience. It covers everything from the building’s iconic history to its current place in pop culture.
