Logo with the words MAXIM and FLASH, where FLASH is highlighted in yellow with a lightning bolt.

Win a Photography Trip to Italy + Be Featured in Maxim Magazine

$20,000 cash prize

The Maxim Flash Champion will embark on a 5-night photography journey across Rome and the Amalfi Coast — ancient streets, ocean light, luxury settings, dream locations.

$20,000 Grand Prize
Featured in Maxim Magazine
Italy Luxury Photo Experience (Rome + Amalfi Coast)
$5,000 Worth of New Camera Gear
$5,000 Donation - Winner’s Choice for Charity
Registration closing soon
Register Now!
Smiling man in a white shirt holding a camera with a historic cityscape and sunset in the background.

Where Beauty Meets Ambition.

Maxim celebrates bold style, luxury, and the art of seeing the world differently.
Flash opens the door for photographers of all backgrounds — from beginners discovering their passion to professionals perfecting their craft.

You don’t need fancy equipment.
You don’t need a studio.
You just need your eye and the courage to show us something only you can capture.
Woman in a sheer white top taking a photo with a camera near the Colosseum at sunset.

Free & Easy. Anyone Can Join.

Submit your best photo — any subject, any style — and you’ll instantly receive your own Maxim voting page to share with supporters.

Show your work. Build your audience.
Watch your photos rise through the competition.
Register Now!

Competition Overview

1
Register
Submit your strongest photos — any style, any genre.
2
Public Voting
Tournament Fans support their favorite photographers
3
Elimination Rounds
Advance through bracket matchups toward the semi-finals and finals.
4
Judging Panel
Finalists meet with our expert panel for scoring.
5
Book Your Trip
$20,000 Cash Prize
Maxim Magazine Feature
Luxury photography trip through Italy + new gear
Register Now!
Young man standing on a seaside promenade taking photos with a camera during golden hour, with colorful buildings and cliffs in the background.

Photography Tour

Our winner will join Maxim on a five-night creative journey across Italy — capturing Rome’s ancient stone, Amalfi’s coastal light, and the luxury, beauty, and lifestyle that define the Maxim brand.

One or more of your images will be featured in Maxim Magazine, giving your work global visibility and the career boost every photographer dreams of.

Submit your photos!

How The Competition Works

The competition begins with a 5-week Entry Round where photographers compete in grouped public-vote matchups.

Win your group to advance to the Elimination Tournament, where you’ll go compete with other photographer through semi-finals and finals.

Finalists earn an interview with our judging panel, who will evaluate your full profile and select the first-ever Maxim Flash Champion.

Grand Prize Winner – $20,000
Italy Photography Trip • $5,000 in Gear
Maxim Feature
$5,000 Charity Donation
Register Now!

Make a Difference

Maxim will donate $5,000 on behalf of the winner to one of these amazing charities.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Devoted to funding impactful research and providing support to children with cancer and their families, with a mission to find a cure for childhood cancer.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Dedicated to advancing the world's most promising research, BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research – and metastatic breast cancer research – worldwide.
Operation Homefront
Operation Homefront offers valuable and life-changing programs to support military families. Its relief and recurring support programs address specific financial needs, making veteran and military families more strong, stable, and secure.
Rescue City
New York City foster-based rescue dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating at-risk dogs, providing them with loving homes and a second chance at life.

How do I get votes?

Share your profile with friends, followers, clients, and supporters.
 Daily free votes keep you moving up, and supporters can cast additional votes to help you advance through each round of the competition.

Register Now!
Woman holding a camera standing near a stone column with a historic building and dome at sunset in the background.

The Judges

Smiling man with shoulder-length curly hair wearing a black t-shirt against a plain white background.
Erick Robinson
Entertainment & Fashion Photographer
“I am looking for a Maxim cover girl who exudes confidence, sophistication, and has a magnetic presence.I want someone who embodies beauty, intelligence, and a strong sense of self.My ideal cover girl would be someone who embraces her individuality, radiates empowerment, and inspires others. She would represent the epitome of modern femininity but also have a touch of edginess and a dash of glamor that sets her apart from the rest,”
Smiling man with shoulder-length curly hair wearing a black t-shirt against a plain white background.
Paul O'Dea
Maxim Magazine Creative Director
“I am looking for a Maxim cover girl who exudes confidence, sophistication, and has a magnetic presence.I want someone who embodies beauty, intelligence, and a strong sense of self.My ideal cover girl would be someone who embraces her individuality, radiates empowerment, and inspires others. She would represent the epitome of modern femininity but also have a touch of edginess and a dash of glamor that sets her apart from the rest,”
Black and white portrait of a serious man with folded arms wearing a button-up shirt and a watch on his left wrist.
Josh Ryan
Renowned Fashion & Editorial Photographer
As a photographer, I’m always searching for a model who is effortless on camera. Someone who can let go and get into that zone where she forgets about everything and focuses on that moment connected with me and my lens and her environment. It’s a rare quality, but when you find it, it’s pure magic. Finding the next Salty Mermaid campaign model isn't just about looks, it’s about presence. She’s confident, comfortable in her skin, and has that quiet power that draws you in without trying. Real beauty has energy, and it shows the moment the camera starts rolling.
Smiling young woman with long red hair wearing a black top against a dark background.
Karin Agstam
Maxim Cover Stylist, Emmy Nominated Producer

As a creative director, I’m always looking for models who bring something authentic and unique to their work. It’s not just about posing; it’s about using every moment in front of the camera to express who you are. I want to see personality shine through the images, that spark of creativity and desire that makes you unforgettable. Stay true to your dream, set high goals and outline the actions that will lead you there. Remember that failing is a part of the learning process and that success is the result of consistency and hard work.

Three people sitting at a round table outside a café reviewing printed photos while a fourth person with a camera stands nearby.

Guidance from Maxim’s World of Luxury & Beauty.

Throughout the competition, top participants will receive tips and insight from creative professionals who understand fashion, luxury, and visual storytelling.


Expect encouragement, inspiration, and an inside look at what makes an image unforgettable.

Register Now!
Young woman photographer walking through sunlit stone columns while holding a camera.

How long does the contest run?

Flash 2026 spans several phases — Entry Round, Elimination Rounds, and the Final Judging.
 Each stage has its own deadline, giving you time to promote your work, collect votes, and continue building your portfolio.

One or more of your images will be featured in Maxim Magazine, giving your work global visibility and the career boost every photographer dreams of.

Register Now!

Italy, 2026

From Rome’s marble reflections at golden hour to Amalfi’s blue coastline, Italy is a photographer’s dream.

Our champion will capture it all — guided by the Maxim creative team — turning the trip into a stunning editorial feature.

Register Now!
Partial side view of the ancient Roman Colosseum illuminated by a colorful orange and pink sunset sky.