TECNO, the AI-driven innovative technology brand, and Lonely Planet, the globally recognized travel guidance leader, have officially launched the Shot On CAMON Contest 2026, the third edition of TECNO’s annual global mobile photography competition.
Positioned as a major smartphone photography contest 2026, the competition highlights authentic storytelling using the TECNO CAMON 50 Series. Under the global theme “Seeing is Believing,” the contest encourages users to capture real-life, unrepeatable moments through mobile photography while embracing creativity in the age of AI.
The collaboration expands beyond technology, combining photography, travel storytelling, and human experience. It aims to celebrate the people, places, and emotions behind every image through co-judging, co-branded storytelling, and photo-essay-style content.
Three Lonely Planet photographers will contribute original works captured using the CAMON 50 Series, while one photographer will join TECNO’s imaging team in the final jury panel for global judging.
“Great photos are not just about equipment – they are about how deeply the photographer can immerse themselves in a destination,” said Melissa Killian, Vice President of Integrated Marketing at Lonely Planet. “TECNO’s technology makes that immersion easier, helping users stay present, observe more closely and capture meaningful moments as they happen. We are excited to partner on Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 and look forward to seeing how photographers around the world bring their journeys to life.”
Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 Theme: Seeing is Believing in Mobile Photography
The Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 runs from May 15 to October 11, 2026, inviting global smartphone photographers to join one of the largest mobile photography competitions using TECNO CAMON 50 Series smartphones.
The theme “Seeing is Believing” reinforces TECNO’s focus on authenticity in photography. In a digital era shaped by AI-generated content, the contest emphasizes real-world observation, genuine emotion, and unfiltered storytelling.
Participants are encouraged to highlight diverse skin tones, spontaneous moments, and real-life experiences through smartphone photography.
Even in the AI category, entries must begin with an original photograph taken using a TECNO device, ensuring that creativity always starts from reality before digital transformation.
“‘Seeing is Believing’ is both a creative brief for our contestants and a reminder that the most powerful images begin with real life,” said Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO. “Through Shot On CAMON Contest 2026, we hope to inspire users around the world to observe more closely, express themselves more freely and celebrate the beauty of authentic moments through photography.”
TECNO Philippines Appoints Kelvinmarkulit as CAMON Photography Ambassador
To strengthen local participation, TECNO Philippines has appointed Kelvinmarkulit as the official CAMON Photography Ambassador for the Philippines in the Shot On CAMON Contest 2026.
Known for his raw and unfiltered visual storytelling of everyday Filipino life, Kelvinmarkulit will support the campaign through multiple roles. He will co-create a call-out video encouraging Filipino creators to join, serve as a regional judge, and participate in the winner’s journey experience.
His involvement highlights TECNO Philippines’ commitment to elevating local visual storytellers on a global photography stage. His journey from street photography to international recognition reflects the contest’s message that authentic observation can turn everyday life into powerful visual storytelling.
Five Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 Categories for Mobile Photographers
The contest features five creative categories designed to showcase different approaches to smartphone photography storytelling:
Faces·Unfiltered
Focuses on authentic portrait photography that captures people as they truly are, highlighting individuality, emotion, and diverse skin tones.
Night·Unveiled
Encourages night photography featuring neon lights, reflections, moonlit scenes, and atmospheric city life.
Culture·Unscripted
Highlights real cultural moments such as festivals, food, crafts, and spontaneous human interactions.
Snapshot·Unspotted (Telephoto Special)
Focuses on distant or hidden details, revealing unnoticed textures, expressions, and moments through telephoto photography.
AI·Unimagined (AI Gallery Special)
Requires participants to capture a real image using a TECNO smartphone, then transform it using TECNO’s AI Gallery. Both original and AI-enhanced images must be submitted, blending real photography with AI creativity.
Awards, Prizes, and Global Travel Experiences
The Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 prizes reward outstanding creativity in mobile photography across multiple tiers.
- One TECNO Photography Master winner will receive $8,000
- Five Gold Prize winners will receive $3,000 each
- Five Silver Prize winners will receive $2,000 each
- Five Bronze Prize winners will receive $1,000 each
- Ten selected participants will become TECNO Friends and receive a CAMON 50 Series smartphone
In addition, the TECNO Photography Master winner and Gold Prize winners will be invited to an exclusive curated travel experience in the Philippines, sponsored by Lonely Planet.
These rewards position the contest as both a global photography competition and a travel storytelling experience.
Filipino Special Award for Local Creators in the Philippines
TECNO Philippines is also introducing the Filipino Special Award, dedicated exclusively to Philippine participants of the Shot On CAMON Contest 2026.
Filipino users may submit both photo and video entries via Instagram, Facebook Reels, and TikTok. While video entries are not eligible for global prizes, they will be considered for the Filipino Special Award.
Six winners will be selected as CAMON Photography Endorsers in the Philippines. Each will receive a Lonely Planet Bespoke Trip and a CAMON 50 Series smartphone.
The breakdown includes five winners from photo submissions across all categories and one winner from video submissions, reinforcing TECNO Philippines’ support for both photography and mobile video storytelling.
How to Join Shot On CAMON Contest 2026
To participate, users must post entries on Instagram with a visible TECNO device watermark and include the hashtags:
#ShotOnCAMON2026 #TECNOCAMON50Series #TECNOPhilippines
Participants must also submit high-resolution images via email at shotoncamon@tecnomobile.com or through the official ShotOnCAMON Gallery on TECNO Philippines’ website.
All entries must be original. Duplicate submissions will be disqualified. Selected works will be featured in global exhibitions, TECNO’s annual photo book, and official brand platforms worldwide.
SEO Conclusion: A Global Mobile Photography Contest Powered by TECNO and Lonely Planet
The Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 positions itself as a leading global smartphone photography competition, combining technology, storytelling, travel, and AI creativity. Through the partnership between TECNO and Lonely Planet, the contest promotes authentic visual storytelling using the CAMON 50 Series.
With global categories, AI-enhanced creativity, Philippine-exclusive awards, and major cash and travel prizes, the competition reinforces TECNO’s vision of making mobile photography more expressive, immersive, and globally connected.
For full details, participants can visit Shot On CAMON Contest 2026 or follow @tecnomobileph on Instagram.
