Astrography & Astrophotography Prize 2025: Second Year of Galactic Partnership

When you look up at the night sky, you’re not just seeing stars — you’re witnessing stories millions of years in the making. At Astrography, we believe those stories deserve to be told in the most breathtaking way possible.

That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our second consecutive year partnering with the Astrophotography Prize 2025 Edition, a contest that brings together some of the world’s most talented space photographers. This ongoing collaboration celebrates cosmic creativity, pushes the boundaries of visual storytelling, and inspires the next generation of stargazers.

The Astrophotography Prize stands apart as the only global astrophotography competition where all final entries are judged during live, two-day sessions by an international panel of renowned experts. 

This groundbreaking format, taking place on September 13th and 14th, 2025 (12-13 USA), offers something no other contest provides: real-time judging with educational commentary that benefits the entire astrophotography community.

The competition features four carefully curated categories designed to celebrate every aspect of astrophotography mastery:

• Deep Space: Capturing the ethereal beauty of nebulae, galaxies, and distant cosmic phenomena
• Solar System: Documenting planets, moons, and our local celestial neighborhood
• Astro Landscape: Blending terrestrial beauty with celestial grandeur
• Remote Imaging: Showcasing the democratization of space photography through remote telescope access

The 2025 competition boasts an incredible lineup of 19 internationally recognized judges from across the globe, including acclaimed astrophotographers from Austria, Germany, USA, Australia, France, and the UK. These experts collectively hold dozens of NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day awards, bringing unparalleled expertise to the judging process.

The jury for the Astrophotography Prize 2025 included Steeve Body, Mike Sidonio, Marcel Drechsler, Alyssa Pagan, Jean-Luc Dauvergne, Lloyd Smith, and many other fantastic artists.

Check out how it went last year: 

Building on our successful 2024 partnership, Astrography is significantly expanding our commitment to supporting astrophotographers worldwide. Our comprehensive support package includes:

Premium Fine Art AstroPanels for Winners

Every category winner and gold award recipient receives a museum-quality Fine Art AstroPanel printed at our signature Large size (approximately 28x20 inches or 70x50 cm). These aren't ordinary prints—they represent the pinnacle of astrophotography reproduction, merging scientific accuracy with gallery-level artistic presentation.

Our cutting-edge fine art pigment printers use the same technology found in top art galleries and museums worldwide, ensuring each print captures every nuance of cosmic detail. With our products reaching over 30,000 customers across 70 nations, Astrography has established itself as the global leader in space art reproduction

Exclusive Astrography Syndicate Invitations

Perhaps most significantly, we invite top-performing photographers to join our exclusive Astrography Syndicate—a carefully curated community of astro-creators we support through ongoing collaborations. This partnership extends far beyond a single competition, creating lasting relationships that nurture artistic growth and provide ongoing opportunities for talented astrophotographers.

We will also support the promotion of the event itself, as well as all accompanying events.

The Growing Impact of Our Partnership

Expanding Global Reach

The Astrophotography Prize has grown dramatically since its 2023 inception, expanding from 500 entries from 14 countries to an even larger international field. This growth reflects the competition's unique educational approach and the quality of partnerships like ours with Astrography.

Educational Excellence Through Live Judging

What sets this competition apart is its commitment to education over pure competition. The live judging sessions, streamed free on YouTube, provide invaluable learning opportunities for astrophotographers at every skill level. Participants receive written feedback on their entries, creating a comprehensive learning experience that extends far beyond traditional contest formats.

Key Dates to Remember

• Entry Period: August 4 - August 31, 2025
• Live Judging: September 13-14, 2025
• Prize Pool: Over $12,000 USD including a Celestron Edge HD 9.25 OTA valued at $3,000 for the overall winner

How to Participate

Photographers can enter multiple categories, with each entry receiving potential written feedback from international judges. The competition welcomes both amateur and professional astrophotographers, making it accessible to the entire worldwide astrophotography community - start here. 

Summary: A Partnership Defining the Future of Astrophotography

Our continued collaboration with the Astrophotography Prize represents more than a sponsorship—it's a shared vision for elevating astrophotography as both science and art. Together, we're creating opportunities, fostering education, and celebrating the incredible talent within the global astrophotography community.

Key Takeaways