OVERVIEW
SHARPEST SHOT
Sharpest Shot is an online photographic competition open to barbers and hairdressers across Australia and New Zealand. The competition celebrates creative excellence in hair through photography, with two distinct categories to suit all levels of production.
Entries are judged by an independent panel of industry judges across two categories. Regional finalists are announced for each competing region, followed by the announcement of two ultimate winners — one per category.
How to Submit
Choose your category and region, upload your front-on and side-profile photographs, and include the story behind your look.
Prizes
Regional winner: $2,000 cash. Ultimate winner: $5,000 cash plus a Barber Kit valued at $2,500.
View prize detailsCATEGORY BREAKDOWN
The Two Categories
Professional Shoot
The Professional Shoot category is for entries photographed by a professional photographer in a controlled environment. This category encourages full creative expression — styling, makeup, props, apparel and accessories are all permitted and encouraged. Entries are judged on the overall photographic quality, styling, and hair artistry as a complete creative image.
Everyday Shoot
The Everyday Shoot category is for entries captured entirely on a smartphone in a natural, real-world setting — the kind of work you do every day. This category celebrates authentic barbering and hairdressing craft without the need for a full production. Images must be submitted straight from the phone with no editing, retouching, filtering, or post-processing of any kind.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Entry Requirements — Both Categories
Each entry consists of exactly 2 photographs of the same model and look:
Each entry represents one (1) look on one (1) model.
You may enter both the Professional Shoot and Everyday Shoot categories, provided each entry features a different cut and model. You may only enter each category once.
The entry fee is $25 per entry. This applies to each category entered separately.
Open to all barbers and hairdressers currently working in Australia or New Zealand. Students enrolled in an accredited barbering or hairdressing course are also eligible.
All entries must have been created within the competition period of February 2027 – 19 September 2027.
Entries must not have previously reached finalist or winner status in any other competition or awards.
The use of AI-generated imagery or AI image enhancement tools is strictly prohibited in both categories. Entries found to have used AI will be disqualified.
By entering, you confirm that you hold all necessary model releases and photographer permissions for the submitted images.
PROFESSIONAL SHOOT — SPECIFIC RULES
Images must be photographed by a professional photographer.
Studio, plain colour background, or on-location backdrop are all acceptable.
Styling, makeup, apparel, accessories and props are permitted and encouraged as part of the creative concept.
Images may be professionally retouched and edited, provided the integrity of the hair is not digitally altered.
No AI-generated images or AI-assisted enhancements are permitted.
Each image must be submitted as a high-resolution JPG, minimum 2MB, A4 size (300 dpi).
No capes or salon gowns are to be visible in any photograph.
If your model has a beard, it must be styled and groomed as part of the finished look. Unstyled or unkempt beards will be taken into consideration by the judges.
EVERYDAY SHOOT — SPECIFIC RULES
Images must be captured on a smartphone or mobile device only. No DSLR, mirrorless or professional cameras.
Images must be submitted exactly as taken — straight from the phone. No editing, retouching, filtering, cropping, colour correction or use of any editing app is permitted.
No AI camera modes, AI enhancement features, or AI filters are to be used. If your phone has an AI photography mode, it must be disabled before shooting.
Natural or salon settings are acceptable. The shoot should reflect an authentic, real-world environment.
Styling, apparel and accessories may be used but are not required.
Images must be submitted as JPG files from the phone at the phone's native resolution.
If your model has a beard, it must be styled and groomed as part of the finished look. Unstyled or unkempt beards will be taken into consideration by the judges.
GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATIONS
REGIONS & FINALISTS
Sharpest Shot recognises talent at a regional level. Finalists will be selected in each of the following regions across Australia and New Zealand:
| Country | Region |
|---|---|
| Australia | Victoria |
| Australia | New South Wales |
| Australia | Queensland |
| Australia | Western Australia |
| Australia | South Australia & Northern Territory (combined) |
| New Zealand | North Island |
| New Zealand | South Island |
Regional finalists will be announced for both the Professional Shoot and Everyday Shoot categories. Entrants are assigned to a region based on the state or territory in which their salon or workplace is located at the time of entry.
Note: South Australia and Northern Territory entries are combined into a single region for finalist selection purposes.
THE PODIUM
WINNERS
Following the announcement of regional finalists, the judging panel will select two ultimate winners — one for the Professional Shoot category and one for the Everyday Shoot category. These represent the highest-scoring entries across all regions and categories combined.
All regional finalists and ultimate winners will be announced and appear on stage at The Melbourne event of The Big Barber Bash on 10 October 2027. The two ultimate winners will be crowned live on the night. Finalists are encouraged to attend in person — further details regarding the event will be communicated to all finalists prior to the announcement date.
Prizes
$2,000 cash prize
one winner per region, per category.
$5,000 cash prize
plus a full Barber Kit valued at $2,500 — one ultimate winner per category.
EVALUATION
JUDGING
All entries are reviewed and scored by an independent panel of industry judges. Judges are selected for their expertise across photography, barbering, hairdressing, and creative direction.
Professional Shoot — judging criteria:
- •Overall photographic quality and composition
- •Hair artistry — technical skill and creative execution
- •Styling, makeup and overall creative vision
- •Impact and originality of the image
Everyday Shoot — judging criteria:
- •Authenticity and natural quality of the image
- •Hair artistry — technical skill visible in the photograph
- •Composition and framing within smartphone limitations
- •Overall impact and storytelling of the image
PANEL OF JUDGES
The Sharpest Shot judging panel will be announced prior to the close of entries. Judges are independent industry professionals with expertise across barbering, hairdressing, photography, and creative direction.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
HOW TO SUBMIT
All entries must be submitted online via www.thebigbarberbash.com.au — visit the website and click the Sharpest Shot icon to begin your submission.
Upload both the front-on and side profile images together as a single entry.
Clearly indicate which category you are entering: Professional Shoot or Everyday Shoot.
Select your region at the time of submission.
Include a written description of no more than 250 words telling the story behind your chosen look — why you chose it, the tools you used, and the brands featured. This must be submitted as part of your entry.
Payment of the $25 entry fee is required at the time of submission.
Entries will not be accepted after 19 September 2027.
LEGAL & PROMOTION
PUBLICATION
Entries must not be published, shared publicly, or used in any marketing material prior to the announcement of finalists. Finalist and winner images may be published by the Sharpest Shot team and mocha group for promotional purposes. By entering, you grant mocha group and authorised media permission to use your submitted photographs for promotion and publication.