Submitted Content Guidelines

Photo Manipulation

Digital manipulation of any photo submitted is not allowed beyond standard editing and toning practices. Allowed editing/toning techniques include white balance, color, contrast, dodging and burning. 

Digital manipulation not allowed includes cloning, patching, or any form of pixel manipulation that alters or removes content from the original photo (the exception being sensor dust spot removal). If concerns are found regarding the authenticity of an awarded photo, the photographer must provide a RAW file version of that photo.

We reserve the right to remove any award-winning photos should the authenticity of its file integrity come into question.

Nudity & Sensitive Content

By submitting your photos to the Documentary Family Awards, you agree that you have the full consent of every adult in your photo, including any children and their legal guardian or representative’s consent.

You understand that by submitting your photos they may be used to promote Documentary Family Awards which includes (but is not exclusive to), Instagram posts, Facebook posts, future press releases, features by other websites and general use online to promote Documentary Family Awards. We will not sell your photos and every effort to give full credit to the photographer will be made.

Category-Specific Rules

Please review category-specific rules here documentaryfamilyawards.com/open-categories/

Technical Requirements

Please review here documentaryfamilyawards.com/support/

Terms and Conditions

I (the photographer) hereby grant Documentary Family Awards permission to use the image(s) submitted for publication, including their website and internet postings and third party websites and publications. I verify that I own the rights to have these image(s) distributed, published, or otherwise promoted by Documentary Family Awards as they see fit. I certify that this work of art is not plagiarized from another source.

I understand that the image(s) I submit to Documentary Family Awards may be used in print or digitally as well as on their website and other social media and internet postings.

I understand that at no time shall I be paid, reimbursed, compensated, given a free magazine, or given royalties, now or at any point in the future by Documentary Family Awards.

I hereby irrevocably authorize Documentary Family Awards to copy, exhibit, publish or distribute my image(s) for the purposes of publicizing Documentary Family Awards on their website, through internet postings, third party publications, press releases and any other form of electronic or print promotion. I also give the right for Documentary Family Awards to make any necessary edits (i.e. crop/resize …) to fit publication requirements.

I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge Documentary Family Awards from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on the behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization.

I certify that the person or ALL person(s) in the photo(s) are at least 18 years of age. If they are under the age of 18, I certify that their parent or legal guardian has given approval.

I have read this release and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this release.

I understand that I remain the sole copyright holder of my images(s)

I affirm that all given statements to Documentary Family Awards are true. As the photographer, I also understand that submissions of content, or completion of release, is not a guarantee of publication.

I am 18 years of age or older and able to give my legal consent.

I declare true my age of consent, and in case I am under the age of such consenting age, I have obtained the required consent from my parents/guardians as evidenced by completing this form: documentaryfamilyawards.com/call-for-entries/image-waiver-release-form/

The Documentary Family Awards is an international competition in search of the insightful and meaningful ways that documentary photographers explore the interpretation of family.