Ayrshire photographers are being encouraged to enter a prestigious national competition – which could see them win hundreds of pounds.

The Scottish Portrait Awards – organised by the Scottish Arts Trust - has launched a free, nationwide contest with a first prize of £500 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

The Scotland Now! Phone Portrait Award welcomes submission from anyone over 16 years old living in Scotland, with entries open until Thursday, May 2.

The contest is specifically for portrait photos taken on a phone and hopes to showcase the stories and lives of people across the country.

Chair Colin Heggie said: “The best camera most people have is the one in their pocket. Everyone with a phone can capture a memorable and meaningful image, what matters is the emotion hidden behind the photo and the stories it tells.

“Free to enter, the exciting new Scotland Now! Phone Portrait Award is an opportunity to get involved – we want portraits from across the country that reflects Scotland today in all its diversity, portraits which tell the stories of our time.

“So put your camera phone on standby and have a great time clicking.”

The top 50 photographs entered will feature in a rolling digital display that will travel with the Scottish Portrait Awards exhibition during its six-month journey around Scotland in 2024/25.

The top 100 longlisted works will also feature in an online exhibition.

Judges include photographers Colin Heggie, Ben Douglas, Jane Murray, Robyn Braham, and Nina Davidson – winner of the first Albert Watson Award at the 2023 Scottish Portrait Awards.

The Scottish Portrait Awards are recognised as Scotland’s biggest awards for portraiture.

All photographs entered must have been taken after January 1, 2023, and the portrait must be of one or more people - all of whom must be living in Scotland.

Animals may feature in the photograph alongside a person – but they cannot be the focus of the portrait.

Enter the competition here: www.scottishartstrust.org/scotland-now.