Following the success of its debut in 2023, Icon's Photography Prize is returning in 2025 to showcase the brilliance of conservation in all its forms.
Conservation requires a keen sensitivity to form, colour and texture. We are a visual and sensory profession.
We are also very focused, and our photography is often so intent on accurately documenting details of construction, damage, and treatment, that we forget to document the beauty of our personal encounters with material culture.
Ylva Dahnsjö, ACR FLS FIIC
Chair of the Photography Prize, 2025
Through photography, we can capture the intricacies of conservation, tell compelling stories, and inspire others to appreciate the value of preserving our heritage. With the generous support of Tru Vue, this year's Prize offers an exciting opportunity to put your best lens forward and start capturing! This year’s theme is ‘encounters’ and we encourage you to submit photographs that highlight the people, processes and objects that underpin your work.
The winning image from the Icon 2023 Photography Prize by Gordon Maiwald, Maiwald & Mosse Ltd.
Prizes
The Winner will be awarded a £500 cash prize generously provided by this year’s Photography Prize sponsor Tru Vue, a £150 voucher to use on Icon membership or training events, and the chance to have their image featured on the cover of Iconnect magazine. The Members’ Choice will receive a £300 cash prize and £150 voucher.
Our Sponsors
Icon are delighted to have the generous support of Tru Vue for the 2025 Photography Prize.
Tru Vue are longstanding advocates for the arts, preventive conservation, and professionalism. They work closely with the museum and conservation community to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that meet superior aesthetic and conservation standards, including acrylic and glass with UV protection, anti-reflective and anti-static properties. Dedicated to the wider development of the sector, Tru Vue also offer grants and educational materials designed to inspire and support the preservation of cultural heritage.
De-wetting an oxidised linseed oil film with a propylene carbonate microemulsion
Judging
The competition will be judged by a panel chaired by Ylva Dahnsjo ACR FLS FIIC. The panel is comprised of:
Emma Jhita, Icon CEO
James Murphy, Icon Trustee and Director of Marketing, Communications and Policy at IOSH
Andrew Haycock, International Museums and Conservation Liason for Tru Vue
Gordon Maiwald, co-founder of Maiwald & Mosse Ltd and winner of the 2023 Photography Prize
The panel will draw up a shortlist with members' encouraged to get involved via online voting. The Members' Choice prize and overall Winner will be announced as part of Icon's Winter Reception at the Crafts Council Gallery in London on Thursday 6th November where shortlisted submissions will be on exhibition, mounted and framed by Icon’s Photography Prize sponsor Tru Vue.
Submissions
Submissions are open from Monday 2nd June to Monday 8th September, with shortlisted entries displayed at Icon's 2025 Winter Reception in November, an exciting evening celebrating the conservation sector at the Crafts Council Gallery in London. During the event, the Winner and Members’ Choice prize will be announced.
To submit your image, please fill out the form below:.
Highly commended image in the 2023 competition, showing a lining canvas being prepared with Methylocellulose.