Photojournalist irisphotocollective.com / ...
Fall 2021 Call For Entries
Documentary Family Awards
Award-winning photo by Kaleen Enke, United States.
AWARD WINNERS PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2022
11 open categories / 1 Unique live-judging experience / $3800 cash prizes awarded
Celebrating documentary images that bring insight and meaning to the varied interpretations of family
Fall 2021 Call For Entries
Submission Deadline Dec. 1, 2021
Late Submission Deadline Dec. 15, 2021 ($10 late fee applies)
As the leading international competition of its genre, the Documentary Family Awards (DFA) is in search of outstanding photographs that reflect unique interpretations of family life.
The DFA is one of the only photo competitions in the world to stream its final round of judging in its entirety. All finalist images are included in this three day event, where winning photos are reviewed and discussed by leading photographers and editors in the industry.
Submit your photography for the chance to join award-winning photographers from over 70 countries whose work represents the best documentary family photography from around the globe.
Categories to Enter
Birth · Cell Phone Only · Environmental Portrait · Joy · Nothing Is Better Than Real Life · Person's Best Friend · Siblings · Teenagers · Water · Photo Stories (Narrative) · Photo Series (Conceptual)
The Documentary Family Awards accepts submissions twice a year, and is currently open for its Fall 2021 Call for Entries.
Why You Should Enter
Your first single photo is free (A $10 late fee applies after December 1, 2021)
Access to live stream judging providing hours of educational discussions directly related to the documentary family photography genre
$3800 USD in cash prizes
Best Overall Award winners receive $500 (1st place), $350 (2nd place) and $250 (3rd place)
and free entries into the next award cycle
1st Place Award winners in each category receive $250 and free entries into the next award cycle
Judges Choice Awards receive free entries into the next award cycle
Permanent online gallery published featuring all award winners, honorable mentions and finalist images
Customized Press-release for digital or print media sent to every award winner
Individual award profile created for all winners on the DFA website featuring their work
Feature Interviews and Photographer Spotlights regularly published in the DFA photo digest newsletter as well as featured across the DFA’s social media channels
Video On Demand access to the final round of judging of the March 2021 Call For Entries
Digital Award Badge for all winners and honorable mentions for use on their website or social media
Your photograph(s) published in the 2021 year-end magazine
Eyes on your work and the opportunity for critique from top photographers, educators and editors in the industry
Final Round Judges
The final round of Judging to select the top 10 winners + honorable mentions in each category, will be live-judged across multiple platforms by the following three finalist judges.
Preliminary Round Judges
We are honoured to have the following lineup of guest judges reviewing every submission we receive. Their selections are sent to the final round judges for the live-stream portion of the awards.
How To Enter
Create your free personal Picter account at https://app.picter.com/signup. If you have used the Picter platform before, please log-in to your account.
Submissions are only accepted through the Picter platform. Photographs sent by email, social media direct messages or any other service will not be considered.
FREE
1 PHOTO
One free entry per photographer. Submit 5 additional photos for $35.
CLOSED
$35
5+ SINGLE PHOTOS
Submit 5 paid single photos for $35. Additional photos $7 each.
CLOSED
$45
PHOTO SERIES
Submit up to 10 photos per photo series for $45. Additional series $36 each.
CLOSED
$45
PHOTO STORIES
Submit up to 10 photos per photo story for $45. Additional stories $36 each.
CLOSED
You can read full category descriptions and guidelines here: documentaryfamilyawards.com/open-categories/
Watch The Judging Live-Stream
We recognize the educational value of transparency and so once again the entire final round of critical review and selection by the current judges will be live-streamed for anyone to watch. Entrants will have archive access to the recorded video if they are unable to watch it live.
Judging Criteria
Judges will be making decisions based on:
Adherence to category-specific rules
Originality
Strength of voice or point of view
Intentionality
Strength of moment and composition
The photograph’s ability to transcend or elevate the genre
The photograph’s ability to resonate with the viewer
Technical Support & FAQ
Find out more information to make your DFA experience as smooth as possible here:
