Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2024: Photography Award Finalists Announced

With the Photography Award judging complete, we are thrilled to share the 25 Photography Award Finalists of this year’s Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize! Our sincere thanks to this year’s Jury Panel, including esteemed creative photographer Kirsty Mitchell, and Arts Champion Catherine K. Gyllerstrom of BearWolf Books for giving their time and expertise to this year’s judging process.

We received entries from both analogue and digital photographers working across various photographic styles. Using cutting edge camera, lens, housing, and lighting equipment, each photographer has shared their exceptional creative vision in unique ways. Brands and resources used include: Adobe Lightroom, Beautydishes, Broncolor, Canon, Elinchrom, Fujifilm, Fujinon, Godox, Hasselblad, Ikelite, Intrepid, iPro Max, Kamlan, Kentmere, Kiev 60, Kodak, Laowa, Leica, Lencarta, Lensbaby, Light, Logiciels Lightroom, Lomography, Lumecube, Mamiya, Nanlite Pavotube, Nikkor, Nikon, Octaboxes, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, PhaseOne, Polaroid, Polaroid Lab, Profoto, R.A. Goldmann, Ricoh GR III, Samyang, Sekor, Sigma, Schneider Kreuznach, Softbox, Sony, Tamron, Volna-3, Westcott, wetplates, Yashica LM, and ZEISS lenses. Additionally, many photographers hand built their own scenes and backgrounds, as well as including some truly wonderful outfits!

The Prizes

Photography Award

The Photography Award 1st prize winner will receive:

$2,500 USD cash generously donated by Snap Collective.
$500 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 20 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
20×30 Epic Print + $250 Lab Credit (worth USD$672) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
3 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 1 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
Winning artwork printed in the December 2024 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

2nd prize winner will receive:

$1,000 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 15 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
16×24 Epic Print + $200 Lab Credit (worth USD$532) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

3rd prize winner will receive:

$500 USD generously donated by Platinum sponsors.
A guaranteed book publishing deal with Snap Collective. In addition to the royalties, the Winner will receive 10 free books. Snap Collective is an innovative and unconventional publishing concept, specifically designed to help photographers and artists bring their portfolios to life. Snap Collective gives artists the ability to publish a photo book or portfolio of their work, offering a streamlined platform with some of the best printing and distribution partners, support of a design team, and more.
12×18 Epic Print + $150 Lab Credit (worth USD$389) by Bay Photo, the trusted partner for Photographers, Artists and Creatives since 1976. The Epic Print includes optional Frame and choice of display options.
A special 10% discount code generously donated by MagMod, a specialist in lighting accessories for photographers.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

The Winners in each Award category and the Musonium Grand Prize Award Winner will be invited to participate in ‘Paracosmic Escape’ exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery in San Francisco, United States later this year, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists! ‘Paracosmic Escape’ is an international group exhibition Curated by: Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, with Art Direction/Theme Conceptualization by: Musonium Gallery.

‘Paracosmic Escape’ explores themes of retrospection, introspection, and complex relationships with the real world, where internal gateways offer a place of sanctuary to heal from and provide explanation to the effects of reality. ~ Keeley Gerard (Art Director of Musonium Gallery)

From the 150 Finalists across all Award categories the Jury Panel will select the Musonium Grand Prize Award Winner.

The Musonium Grand Prize Award Winner of the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize will receive:

$8,500 USD cash, generously donated by Palladium sponsor Musonium Gallery, Palm Springs’ premier art gallery with a clear focus on exhibiting and promoting compelling artworks from exceptional contemporary artists. Musonium exists as an institution within the art world’s traditional art sectors, where innovation and new rising talent constantly influence the ever evolving art scene.
$1,500 USD cash, donated by our Platinum sponsors RAYMAR, 33PA, and Yasha Young Projects.
The opportunity to work with Musonium Gallery to plan and produce a solo exhibition, which will be published in a special editorial in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.
A 24-month license to Clip Studio Paint EX, generously donated by Celsys. Clip Studio Paint is the digital artist’s app for drawing and painting anything from character and concept art to fine art illustration, and even professional animation. All of the powerful features are available on all major platforms to explore at home or on the go.
A beautiful, specially commissioned glass art award trophy.
The opportunity to exhibit in the prestigious Beautiful Bizarre Magazine exhibition at Modern Eden Gallery, in San Francisco, USA, alongside 70+ of the world’s best contemporary representational artists.
A bespoke box of paints and varnishes generously designed and manufactured by Dartecor, created especially for the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize 2024.
Exposure to a successful commercial gallery’s collector base with the opportunity to sell their work.
10 page in-depth interview editorial published in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine December 2024 issue.
Winning artwork printed in the December 2024 issue of Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, as part of the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize editorial.
Exclusive in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and Beautiful Bizarre Magazine websites + shared across Beautiful Bizarre Magazine social media.
Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months. The go-to platform for artists, curators and collectors to discover exceptional artists and explore their work.
12 month social media advertising package (Beautiful Bizarre Magazine: 1 million+ followers across all social media platforms).
A year’s worth of inspiration – a print subscription to Beautiful Bizarre Magazine.

Catherine K. Gyllerstrom People’s Choice Award

The Catherine K. Gyllerstrom People’s Choice Award Winner will be selected by popular vote from the 150 Finalists. The Catherine K. Gyllerstrom People’s Choice Award Winner will receive $2,000 USD cash, generously donated by Catherine K. Gyllerstrom, Collector, Art Consultant, Owner & Art Director of BearWolf Books; a Deco Pro (Gen2) MW generously donated by XPPen, and a 12-month license to Clip Studio Paint PRO, generously donated by Celsys.

Voting will open on 23 August [AEDT, Australian Eastern Daylight Time]. To ensure you don’t miss your chance to vote, please join our email mailing list here.

Additionally, the Catherine K. Gyllerstrom People’s Choice Award Winner will enjoy a year’s worth of social media advertising through the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine to ensure they are able to connect with the right audience, raise their profile, and of course to grow their social media following. They will also enjoy a Profile listing [including artwork gallery] on the Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory for 12 months, plus a 12 month Beautiful Bizarre Magazine print subscription, and an in-depth interview published on the Beautiful Bizarre Magazine and Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize websites, giving readers an insight into their vision and practice!

In addition, each sponsor will choose one outstanding work from their award category to receive an Honourable Mention. Stay tuned to learn more!

The Digital Art Award and the RAYMAR Traditional Art Award Finalists will be announced later this week!

So without further ado we are proud to announce the Photography Award Finalists of the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize…