ELLE Québec has announced the winning photograph in the Design category of its annual ELLE Capture photography contest, recognizing creative excellence in visual storytelling across Quebec and Canada. The announcement follows a rigorous selection process by an expert jury panel, highlighting outstanding work that embodies innovation, aesthetic sensitivity, and technical mastery in design-focused imagery.
The winning entry was chosen from hundreds of submissions received during the contest’s open call, which ran from early 2026 until the June 2 deadline. As part of the ELLE Capture initiative—presented in collaboration with Black’s, a Canadian online photo printing company—the Design category celebrates photographs that interpret themes of structure, form, function, and artistic composition in everyday and extraordinary contexts.
According to verified contest guidelines, entries in all categories, including Design, must be original creations that have not been previously published, awarded in other competitions, or generated using artificial intelligence. Minor retouching is permitted only if it does not alter the fundamental integrity of the original image. These standards ensure fairness and authenticity across all participants, whether amateur or professional photographers.
The winner of the Design category receives a cash prize of $500 CAD, publication of their work in both ELLE Canada and ELLE Québec magazines, and automatic consideration for the grand prize of $5,000 CAD. The grand prize will be awarded at a gala event scheduled for June 2026, where the overall winner will be selected from the category finalists.
This structure mirrors that of other categories in the contest, such as Nature, where similar prizes and publication opportunities were confirmed in February 2026. In that category, the winning photograph was also set to appear in the April 2026 issues of ELLE Canada and ELLE Québec, with the photographer receiving $500 and eligibility for the grand prize.
The ELLE Capture contest features ten distinct categories: Fashion, Portrait, Decoration/Design, Sports, Celebration, Beauty, Nature, Architecture/Design, Culture, and Lifestyle. Each category allows one submission per person, encouraging focused and thoughtful participation. The competition is open to individuals across skill levels, reflecting ELLE Québec’s commitment to inclusivity in the arts.
Jury selections are made by ELLE Québec’s editorial team in collaboration with influential figures from the photography and fashion industries. Past juries have included notable names such as Maya Fuhr, Royal Gilbert, and Lauren Chan, whose expertise contributes to a balanced and discerning evaluation process.
While the specific name of the Design category winner and the details of the winning photograph have not been publicly disclosed in verified sources as of April 17, 2026, the announcement confirms that the selection has been finalized. Further information, including the photographer’s identity and image description, is expected to be released through ELLE Québec’s official channels in the coming weeks.
ELLE Québec continues to use the ELLE Capture platform to support emerging and established visual artists, providing national exposure and professional recognition. The contest underscores the publication’s ongoing dedication to fostering creativity in photography and design across Francophone and Anglophone audiences in Canada.
For updates on the ELLE Capture contest, including the announcement of the grand prize winner in June 2026, readers are encouraged to visit the official ELLE Québec website or follow their verified social media accounts.
Stay informed about upcoming photography contests, cultural events, and creative opportunities by engaging with trusted arts and lifestyle sources that prioritize transparency and artistic integrity.
Have thoughts on the ELLE Capture contest or the winning Design entry? Share your perspective in the comments below and support foster a vibrant conversation around contemporary photography in Canada.