About

The STERN-Preis 2025 – Photo Story of the Year will be awarded to a photo series for a photojournalistic work published in a German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024.

The project should masterfully illustrate a major event of the year 2024, global and socially relevant topics, or a significant aspect of our social life. The photo series should demonstrate a high level of journalistic understanding and at the same time be visually convincing.

Single images will not be accepted, the published photo story from a magazine, weekly newspaper, daily newspaper or website must contain at least five images.

The award is based on the journalistic narrative and the multifaceted implementation of relevant content. The STERN-Preis recognises the dedicated photographic and journalistic work of professional photographers who tell a compelling story through outstanding images.

While we welcome submissions from international photographers, the STERN-Preis only accepts work that was published in a journalistic German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024.

Technical requirements:

Submissions of published photo stories from magazines, weekly newspapers, daily newspapers or websites must include a minimum of five images. All published photos must be submitted. In addition, unpublished images may be submitted up to a total of 20 photos per entry. All images must be uploaded in jpg format at 300dpi with 3000 pixels on the long edge. For print submissions, a PDF of the layout of the published story must be included; for online submissions, the link must be included (valid until at least June 2024). For stories published behind a paywall, a PDF or free access must also be included.

What winners receive

The winner will receive the STERN Award 2025 in the category Photo Story of the Year for the best photo story of 2024 and thus the attention of the journalistic and photographic industry.

How to enter

• The photo story must have been published in a German-language journalistic medium (newspaper, magazine, website) in 2024
• The published story must contain a minimum of five images, single images will not be accepted
• All published photos must be entered into the competition
• In addition, unpublished images may be submitted up to a total of 20 photos per entry
• All images must be submitted in jpg. format at 300dpi with 3000 pixels on the long edge
• For print submissions, a PDF of the layout of the published story must be included
• For online submissions, the link must be included (valid until at least June 2025)
• For online stories published behind a paywall, a complete PDF must be included and if possible free access to the publication
• Each photographer may submit only one project.