About

The largest exhibition of photographic entries nationwide

We wanted a way to fund an independent photography gallery to support emerging and local photographers, so we started the Hillvale Photo Trophy. Now in its fourth year, this open entry photo prize run by Hillvale Gallery and Hillvale Photo is open to everyone, everywhere of all forms of analogue, digital, and alternative methods of lens-based image making. Every photo submitted is printed and exhibited at Hillvale Gallery.

It's grown every year, from over 700 entries in our first year to 1,010 photographs on the walls this year. We've filled the gallery to capacity and closed entries early two years running, making it Australia's largest open entry salon-style photo prize and exhibition.

Your support directly funds Hillvale Gallery

The Photo Trophy raises funds for Hillvale Gallery, a dedicated space for photography in Melbourne that has exhibited over 60 photographic artists across more than 40 exhibitions since 2022. The funds raised help cover the many costs for the coming year of programming: paying artists that exhibit, wages for gallery employees, installation materials, drinks — the list goes on.

Half of every print sale goes to the photographer and half to Hillvale Gallery.

Made by photographers for photographers

The Hillvale Photo Trophy serves as a means to continue pursuing our passion for photography and providing a space for photographic and lens-based image makers to experiment with their practice in an accessible, generous, and open environment. By offering paid opportunities for artists to showcase their work in new and innovative ways, we hope to foster a vibrant and supportive community while furthering the boundaries of photographic art.

Thanks to all that have submitted, bought a print, mentioned the Photo Trophy to a friend or attended the exhibition. Your support is as valued as it is vital.

The Hillvale Photo Trophy is presented by Hillvale Photo and Hillvale Gallery, with the generous support of major partner Fujifilm; supporting partners ILFORD, Pentax and Crumpler; prize partners Wetlab, Frames Ready Made, Metro Auto Photo, Thirds Fine Art Printing, Camera Electronic, Leica Akademie Australia, Perimeter and Times Camera; and hospitality partners Philter Brewing, Minimum, Cielo and Fin.