5 Tips for Submitting to a Juried Photography Exhibit

A few years ago, I joined a local nature photography group which not only provided a valuable source of education on technical aspects of photography, but it also gave me resources for starting to submit photographs for juried exhibits. This was definitely a challenge for me - I was pretty shy about my work. But I took the first step and had been accepted into my first exhibit!

From there, I got the "bug" and began to submit my images in local exhibits. My work has been shown and awarded in numerous exhibits and even a calendar! These five tips have been the most valuable to get my work accepted. So here we go!

1. The Devil is in the Details I really can't stress this enough: read through all of the submission details,  three times over! A simple mistake could automatically disqualify your  submission!

Lesson learned: last year, I submitted 5 images for a local nature exhibit that required that all images in the "Flora and Fauna" category be native to the region. All 5 of my images were accepted...so I printed them all. After delivery, I was informed that one of my images was of a tree that was actually not native to the region and while it would be on display, it was not considered in the judging process. A real let down, but also a good lesson learned!

Here's what to look for in the call for entry:

• Deadline for submission

• File size and submission address.

• Category and limit to number of submissions per applicant

• Editing limitations - some don't allow for anything beyond minimal corrections

• Requirements for selling and commission

• Limits on "age" of image (e.g. within 2 years)

• Experience level

• The judge(s)

...which brings me to number 2!

2. Get to know the judge

And by this, I mean, do your research! The judge may not be identified when you submit and you know what, that's ok. Don't sweat it!
But, if the judge has been identified and named, it helps to see the judge's own photographic style. Granted, the judge is likely not looking for a photographer doppelgänger, but they may be more likely to gravitate towards photographs that have similar elements. For example, does the judge specialize in HDR photography? Black and white portraits? Wildlife in action? The judge's own style may have an impact on what's accepted, but most likely, it will have an impact on which images are awarded.

3. Get to Know the Organization!

Hopefully you already know the organization, if you're submitting an  image! In case you don't know much about the organization sponsoring the exhibit, you've got more research ahead of you! Does the organization  specialize in a certain topic area? Do they have another exhibit currently on display that you could visit? How technical is the group? I am a member of a local photography group that leans towards the more technical aspects of photography. When I submit for their exhibits, I know that the images that  are more "artsy" with purposeful blur are less likely to be accepted. This is  because the organization celebrates the technical competence of its  members and is looking to reward those who apply those competencies.

4. Be Prepared

If you're entering a juried exhibit that will require you to deliver a printed piece, be ready to meet those expectations should you get accepted. Plan ahead: make sure you actually can deliver as requested, determine if you can obtain the framed prints or canvases in time, and if not sold, that you can make the pick-up date and time!

Some exhibits require delivery within just a few days after notification. These details will be in the Call for Entry - when selecting your images for submission, consider where you will print your images. And perhaps consider submitting photos that you already have printed and prepared in the required format. This will also save you money!

5. Follow the Rules

Remember Step 1? If you are accepted into the exhibit, the details still apply when you prepare your images for delivery!

Exhibits often have rules for sizing of the photo as well as final image. Sometimes, there are rules on wires for hanging, glass vs. plexiglass and whether the exhibit requires the images to be prepared in a frame, or if other formats (e.g., canvas) are accepted. 

Exhibits will also ask for you to label the back of your image with specific information that will help them in the display process. This often includes your name, the image title, and the sale price of the image (if applicable)

Ready to submit to an exhibit? There's so much to keep track of - a prospectus could be as many as 10 pages! I created worksheets that I use to plan for each exhibit - and now these are available to you as well, on my Etsy shop!

Photography Exhibit Worksheets on Etsy