Tips.

Approaching your curriculum creatively

INSPA is designed to be open and flexible. It encourages schools and educators to explore our creative wellbeing activities and utilise photography across their curriculum.

Photography and photographs can be a perfect tool to open discussion in the classroom and explore subjects such as language and mathematics. They can also be used as a creative vehicle to explore light and the scientific method, history and artefacts, art and creativity.

Using photography alongside our Creative Wellbeing Activities is also a perfect tool to explore your SPHE curriculum while building a future generation of people who are confident, resilient, connected, kind and ready.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

The main objective of introducing the magic and art of photography into the classroom is fun, fun, fun. Photography can be used to enhance many projects you would normally be teaching in the classroom, increase confidence and generate discussion. Remember to let children lead the way, experience the environment around them and show their point of view.

Before you start!

Check the theme for the Photography Awards. Every year the awards will be guided by a specific theme in which we ask your students to respond. A good idea for this is to start a discussion in the classroom around the theme, share ideas and show the children some examples of photography that might fit the theme. To help you explore this further you can login to your school account and download our free Creative Well-being Activities.

Teaching the basics!

Whether you decide to use a camera, phone or tablet spend some time showing the children how to hold the device safely. At this stage it may also be useful to explain some of the very basics of photography or what makes a good photograph. For example, hold the camera straight and be aware of your background and surroundings. To help you structure your class-time the INSPA team have prepared some Creative Well-being Activities for you. You have to log into your school account to access these.

Let the children lead the way!

Children see the world in wonderful and unique ways, so let them lead the way and show us their point of view. Let them take lots and lots of photographs, have fun and interpret the theme in their own unique way.

Choosing the photographs!

While the school representative / teacher will be overseeing the submission process, it is important to include the children in the decision making when it comes to which image they would like to submit. This can become both a fun and educational process; looking back through all the children's photographs and hearing their point of view. Be encouraging and if they are struggling, give them a little helping hand.

FAQ.

How do we enter the INSPA’s?

The first thing you have to do is register your school on our website. If you have registered in previous years you do not need to register again. Once you register, your schools details will be sent to your school vis the schools official email address. Once this is done you can then begin to upload your students entries on our website. Please read all the Rules of Entry before uploading your entries.

What is the Entry Period?

The deadline for final entries is Midnight Tuesday 31st March 2026

Who can enter?

All primary schools and their communities located in the republic of Ireland can enter The National School Photography Awards. INSPA is brought to you by Image Masters - Ireland’s School Photographers, therefore, if your school hasn’t worked with Image Masters before you will be asked to book in your school photo day when activating your account.

Why won’t my photo upload?

Make sure your photograph meets the following entry requirements:

1. JPG or JPEG file format

2. A minimum accepted image resolution size of 300dpi

3. Minimum file size of 1Mb and a maximum file size of 9Mb
   
   If a problem still persists please contact us so we can solve the problem and verify your entry.
   
   

How many final photos may I submit?

One final photo per entrant is allowed. Therefore each school can submit one photo per student.

How does the judging process work?

The judging process is carried out by a panel of experts in the field. It consists of two rounds for each category (Juniors & Seniors). In round one, each judge will select entries in each category to include in their finalists list. In round two all finalists will be passed to the head judge to select the category winners and overall winner.

When will I know if I’ve been successful?

All schools who have entries that are successful in making it into the final will be notified by email by mid June 2026.

Do all photos have to be taken in school or during school time?

No. Not all photos have to be taken in the school. For example the project could be given as part of homework or a little project over the Christmas holidays. However INSPA would encourage the school / teachers involved to have a discussion with their class about the theme and help them develop their own ideas. Maybe show them examples of some photographs or how to take a photograph with a camera, iPad or phone etc. All photos must be uploaded via your school account and overseen by the teacher / school representative.

What is my Activity Wall?

Your school activity wall is located on your school profile page once you log in. Here you can upload photos to show us what your Image Masters Children’s Camera Club gets up to throughout the year or documentation of your pupils completing our Creative Wellbeing activities.

When will we receive our Prizes?

All prizes for winning and finalist pupils/schools will be posted out to your school once the judges decisions have been made and the announcements have been made public.