JULY 1

AUGUST 31

NOVEMBER 1

PORTRAIT

LIFESTYLE

DOCUMENTARY

THE BEST FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

TOP TEN FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER

BEST PHOTOGRAPH FOR EACH CATEGORY

1 AWARD

10 AWARDS

3 AWARDS

HONORABLE MENTION

TOP 3-5%

ENTRY FEE: Submit up to 10 images in a single category for $10.00 
- Entrants can submit an unlimited amount of times. 
- Each image must be 1920px on the long side and 4MB or smaller. 
- File names must begin with "CATEGORY_LASTNAME_FIRSTINITIAL"
- Entry closes August 31, 2023 at 9pm PST. 

CATEGORIES:

Portrait photography is a genre that focuses on capturing the essence and personality of an individual or group. It involves skillfully composing and lighting the subject to create a visually appealing and meaningful representation of their character, emotions, or identity.

Lifestyle photography aims to document and portray real-life situations, moments, and people in a candid and natural way. It often involves capturing people engaged in everyday activities, such as family gatherings, social events, or personal routines. It is the bridge between PORTRAIT where the Photograph has strong control over the location, lighting, and subject and DOCUMENTARY where the photographer does not interfere at all. 

Documentary photography is a powerful and impactful form of photography that seeks to capture and chronicle real-life events, people, and social issues. It focuses on presenting an accurate and objective visual representation of a particular subject or situation. Unlike PORTRAIT and LIFESTYLE that may involve staging or manipulating scenes, DOCUMENTARY aims to remain objective observers, avoiding interference or altering the natural course of events. 

Images submitted to this category may NOT have been directed, manipulated, or altered from the real-life event or moment.

Examples of digital manipulation also include the following:

- Removing unwanted elements to alter the visual narrative.
- Removing blemishes, wrinkles, or other imperfections from a subject's skin or the image itself using cloning, healing, or content-aware tools.
- Merging multiple images or elements together to create a composite image with unique combinations or surreal scenes.
-  Stretching, warping, or distorting specific elements within the image to create unique visual effects or emphasize certain aspects.
- Employing artistic techniques like double exposure or applying textures, overlays, or brushwork to create painterly effects or add a unique artistic touch to the photograph.