Are you an avid shutterbug? If so, you may be interested to know that there are a few good photography grants and awards out there.

Some photography grants and awards are not really worth your time, but others will prove to be quite good. The idea behind this type of award is not really to gain a lot of prize money (though this can certainly be incentive). Instead, you will find that gaining a photo credit through some type of grant or competition can be great exposure. Additionally, these awards will help you to build your portfolio within a few years. All photographers must have a decent portfolio if they hope to make their hobby a lucrative passion.

One great way to have your name recognized internationally is through The Recontres d'Arles Award. This award goes to a photographer that has managed to surpass borders though photography. The winner of this award wins the prize of 25,000 Euros. If you happen to be a photographer concerned with global issues, the Prix Pictet Award is one that you should seek out. This prestigious award is given to photographers that manage to snap story telling photographs. The prize money in this case is CHF 100,000. Photographers that want to make a change may be interested in the F Award that goes to a photographer taking a stand against, or for, a certain global issue.

In addition to these great awards, there are some government photography grants that are worth looking into. Even if you do not qualify for a grant, you might want to consider submitting work to magazine such as National Geographic, Discovery, or other nature based magazines. Those that have captured amazing human moments on film should also look into submitting work to TIME Magazine. Most magazines have an open policy regarding photography, so make sure to look into these offers.

The world is in need of more photographers that tell a story. If you are truly dedicated to your craft, find some image that speak to viewers on a different level than all the rest. The world is waiting for you to capture it, now it's just a question of finding those award winning shots.

Spend some time researching various photography grants, and you'll find that you come up with a lot of great ideas. Enter contests, give awards a try, and send in shots to magazines in order to gain a bit of photographic fame.