International Photographic Competition Judges should NOT continue reading

57 countries are participating in the highly anticipated international event

This post may be updated in December and New Year's Day.

Read the Article from Professional Photographers of America

MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA – Monroeville photographer Corey McDonald recently won a spot as a finalist on Team USA at the 2026 World Photographic Cup, to be held in April, 2026 in Reykjavík, Iceland.

McDonald’s image “The Dive,” was selected to be part of Team USA by a national association composed of professional photographers. The team will officially be announced at the Imaging USA Grand Imaging Awards. The event will be held on Monday, January 12, in Nashville, Tennessee.

“It’s a great honor to win a spot on Team USA,” said McDonald. “It’s an amazing group to be a part of. I push myself to be a better photographer each year, and to be recognized and given the chance to represent my country is just icing on the cake.”

The World Photographic Cup, co-founded by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Federation of European Photographers (FEP), features 57 countries that will square off in 2026. The World Photographic Cup's mission is to unite photographers in a spirit of friendship and cooperation.

Each country’s team picks its own photographers and images to enter. Teams may submit up to three images in each of ten categories: Commercial, Illustration/Digital Art, Nature Landscape, Nature Wildlife, Illustrative Portrait, Natural Portrait, Reportage/Photojournalism, Sports, Wedding Open, and Wedding Reportage (Photojournalism). Teams may choose to enter the images of a single photographer in multiple categories; no single photographer may have multiple images entered into a single category.

Gold (1st), Silver (2nd), and Bronze (3rd) medals are awarded to the individual creator in each category. Teams are awarded points based on an aggregate score of the top ten placements in all categories. Then, the World Photographic Cup is awarded to the national team that receives the highest overall score. Last year, Team USA took home first prize.

The winner of this year’s World Photographic Cup will be announced at the WPC Awards Ceremony in Reykjavík, Iceland in April of 2026. For more information on the World Photographic Cup, and to view the finalist images from around the world, visit WorldPhotographicCup.org.

The Dive

World Photographic Cup Illustrative Portrait Team USA & International Photographic Competition High School Senior Finalist

Hard work, patience, and inspiration

For the past year I refocused my efforts and artistic visions toward my studio, temporarily leaving behind the world of image competition and my goals of reaching a higher level of recognition. Without my amazing clientele and the famlies, teens, and children that make what I do possible, there can be no recognition and to be honest, nothing brings me more joy than to see their reactions during the reveal of who and what they treasure most.

That having been said, I did manage to get inspired this year to enter the International Photographic Competition. I wasn’t going to for the longest time. It was a break, a much-needed reprieve. I needed to put that kind of effort back into my business. My journey to become a PPA Approved Juror was also put on the backburner (still a goal).

2025 has been both amazing and devastating. I lost my best friend in August. Then heaven gained my friend’s dad in October. Amid all of that, I managed to refocus my efforts to get more people in the door of my studio. For that, I’m incredibly grateful.

As stated, 2025 has been devastating but it hasn’t been without its high points. Today marks one of those high points.

I’ve been keeping a secret since October when I accepted the invitation to join Team USA for the World Photographic Cup. I have had that on my list since I learned of the WPC seven years ago and made it my mission, within the confines of image competition, to some day stand on the stage and represent this country that I love so much.

It’s an honor to simply be on the team, regardless of the outcome of Top 10, whether I get to go to Reykjavík or not, and whether my image of Mal wins the category at either WPC or IPC. I won’t share the image just yet since there’s still some judging that will take place in January but know that I am overjoyed to say it at last.

I’m a proud member of Team USA.

God has truly blessed me with my career within the industry and now I’ve hit every single goal I set for myself there. Now every bit of my attention will be on those whose memories have been placed in my hands.

1 Comments

Dec 9, 2025, 9:56:56 AM

Patty Ingalls - Congratulations Corey!! This is so exciting and well deserved. I wish you the best and hope you find yourself in Iceland this coming spring.

Traveling Alabama Photographer Makes Team USA for the 2026 World Photographic Cup