A new awards scheme has been launched to celebrate the best press photography at royal engagements.

The News Media Association has launched its Royal Rota photography competition, with regional and national press photographers invited to submit their pictures from royal engagements over the past year.

The NMA manages the Royal Rota on behalf of its members, allocating passes for the hundreds of Royal engagements undertaken by members of the Royal Family each year and ensuring that the material is pooled among members.

Prizes are up for grabs in four categories – National Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year, Regional/Local Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year, Rota Picture Agency Rota Photo of the Year and Overall Rota Photo of the Year.

Credit – Matthew Phillips, Windsor Express

Photographers have until 20 May to enter the competition, and the winners will receive vouchers for camera equipment.

Entries will be showcased on the NMA’s website and the public will be invited to vote for their favourite images.

Announced in time for The Queen’s official birthday on 11 June, the shortlist will be then be judged by a panel of industry experts to select the overall winners.

Only newspapers or agencies within the Royal Rota system – members of the NMA, WPA, Council of Photographic News Agencies or Independent Photographers Association are eligible to enter the competition and that the photos must have been taken at official rota engagements.

For more information please contact Jeff Almond at the NMA on [email protected].