Our World is Kind: A Global Photography Contest
*Now closed for submissions*
Since 2017, the Our World is Kind Photography Contest has generated over 8,000 submissions from 1000+ photographers in more than 120 countries. These moving images have inspired kindness, love, gratitude, and joy in tens of thousands of global viewers.
Now, more than ever, it’s important to work together to spread kindness and connection through our communities.
That’s why Our World is Kind is back for 2023, seeking images from kind and talented photographers to help inspire kindness, joy, and healing around the world.
Explore our rules and terms and frequently asked questions.
What does kindness look like?
Where do you see moments of kindness in your community? What stories can you tell?
Here's a bit of inspiration to help you capture these impactful moments.
Your photos can document real life experiences or illustrate a concept. What does kindness look like to you?
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Kind People
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We see kindness in people every day – in people we know and those we haven’t met yet lending a hand, helping others, or paying it forward.
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Kindness in Nature
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You may find kindness in animals, in a heart shape leaf, in hikers lending a hand, in protecting the environment, and so much more.
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Kindness in the Community
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Our communities are filled with kindness! At work, in places of worship, in hospitals, from non-profits, and in public spaces and shops.
Do you believe the world can be a kinder place?
It can, through your photography. We know that after people see images of kindness, they are kinder, happier, more optimistic, and more generous.
Envision Kindness is a non-profit that inspires kindness, compassion, joy, and love through still and video photography. We share the best images to inspire people wherever they are. Some images become part of inspiring videos for EnSpire.
You can see a sample of how we may use photos in the video montage Why Do Hugs Feel So Good?. On the EnSpire page, you will find more videos as well as links to the science showing how your images of kindness, caring, and compassion can make people happier, calmer, more grateful, and more generous!
Prizes
$1000
First
Place
$500
Public
Choice
$500
Nonprofit Honoree
$250
Caring & Connection
$200
Honorable Mention (3)
*Finalists for the Public Choice award will be selected based on public voting, and our panel of judges will choose the winning photograph in that category from those finalists. The winning Nonprofit Honoree will receive $250 directly in addition to $250 donated in their name to a charitable organization.
*Please note: US law prohibits us from sending funds to certain countries, including Iran, Russia, and Belarus. Entrants from these countries will be recognized for their contributions, and are eligible to earn any of the prize titles, but we are unable to award the associated prize money to individuals from these nations at this time. We recognize that there are many kind people in these countries as there are in all others, and we welcome everyone's participation. Any winnings of photographers from these countries will be awarded to an international charity that promotes peace and tolerance.
2023 Contest Judges
These esteemed judges have kindly volunteered their time and expertise to review all finalist photos and select contest winners.
Sanjoy Bhattacharya
Agatha Bunanta
Martin Buzora
Dr. James Doty
Leyla Emektar
Linda Epstein
Dr. Piero Ferrucci
Aundre Larrow
Mara Leite
Gael Almeida
Kristen McNicholas
Guri Mehta
Rumay Alexander
Dulce Pinzón
Dr. Dan Siegel
Marilyn Turkovich
Sergey Volkov
Kimara Ellefson
Maureen Bisognano
John Bare
Promotional Partners
We are very grateful to the following kind organizations who have generously helped to promote the contest.
Charter For Compassion
Momenta
Random Acts of Kindness
World Kindness Movement