About OD Photo Prize

We are delighted to announce that the OD Photo Prize is opening up for submissions again in search of the best early career photographic artists from around the world.

This annual open call is for artists working within the first ten years of their practice, founded by Open Doors Gallery, UK. For over a decade now, OD has discovered and showcased artists working across all genres of contemporary photography. This prize is an extension of that philosophy, which looks to nurture long-term relationships with artists globally.

This year's Winner will receive an increased prize of £2,000 [$2,500 USD] thanks to our partners, see below. This year's shortlisted artists will all be invited to participate in a group exhibition hosted by Open Doors Gallery at Photo Book Cafe in London to celebrate their talent and their projects. A selection of prints from OD Photo Prize's shortlisted artists will be exhibited and made available for sale online and at the exhibition. The Winner and two Runners Up will have their projects on display at the exhibition in a more expansive way as well as at least a year advertised as an artist on the Open Doors Gallery website alongside our award winning roster.

Selected finalists are also eligible for a variety of prizes chosen by our panel of influential experts in the field of photography. From being singled out by our panel as 'Judges's Picks' to the Metro mentorship award chosen by artist and creative director, Professor Steve MacLeod.

Building Momentum

We are constantly checkinging in on the development and career progression of artists who have been shortlisted for the prize in the past. We are pleased to report the past year has seen many new achievements. We have highlighted a few of those below.

Looking back over the past year, OD Photo Prize artists have continued to nurture their practices and careers. We're proud to report that Jono Terry [Grand Prize Winner, 2022], recently completed shooting for his multi chapter, long term project, 'They Still Owe Him a Boat' and is looking to publish his first book soon. Kíra Krász [Shortlisted artist, 2021] recently exhibited alongside OD artists at Photo London with Open Doors Gallery. Sem Langendijk [Shortlisted artist, 2022] recently exhibited at the prestigious Dutch institution FOAM with their project 'Haven' as well as releasing the book by the same name. Sculptural photographic artist Karen Navarro [shortlisted artist, 2022] had work from her brilliant 'Constructed Self' series displayed at Mexico's Zona Maco fair.

Elsewhere, we were delighted to see 2022 Runner Up Dora Lionstone's enchanting 'Nachtluftschlösser' series on display at Art Rotterdam fair in the 'Prospects' section. Fellow 2022 Runner Up Mateo Ruiz Gonzalez continues to go from strength to strength with exhibitions and residencies upcoming as he works towards the completion of his ongoing project, 'Caliza'.

We are also delighted to report strong sales from numerous OD Photo Prize submitting artists over that period including Elliott Verdier, Cecilia Bonilla, Angus Scott and Allan Salas and more.

"Winning the 2022 OD Photo Prize was a significant validation of many years working on what has now become, 'They Still Owe Him a Boat'. The prize provided me with a wonderful platform and network for my work to be seen, engaged with, and then exhibited – which was a very special moment for me. It has been a great source of encouragement during the final stages of this work and has reinforced my belief in the caliber and importance of it. The competition is a great way to connect with a lot of talented photographers and I am immensely appreciative of Tom and everyone at Open Doors for the many ways they continue to provide guidance, access, and support through the OD Photo Prize." – Jono Terry, OD Photo Prize Winner, 2022

What Finalists Receive

Artists selected for OD Photo Prize 2023 will receive the following support and opportunities:

Having their work produced for a group exhibition hosted by Open Doors Gallery in London, 30Nov–2Dec, 2023
Exhibited in London and also online gaining exposure to the Open Doors Gallery collector base
Exhibition exposure to a substantial number of visual arts professionals and the media
Inclusion in the gallery website announcement and dedicated newsletter
Their projects viewed and considered by our panel of leading industry experts
Their work shared with our 95,000+ social media following
Inclusion in an ongoing community and support network facilitated by Open Doors Gallery
All exhibting finalists will have at least one image published in the hand made exhibition zine. Available at the Winter Exhibition [See examples below]

In addition, the Jurors in consultation with Open Doors Gallery will award the following prizes:

Grand Prize:

£2,000 prize
Includes £500 cash prize supported by Open Doors Gallery
Includes £500 print credit supported by Metro Imaging
Includes £500 print credit supported by Hahnemuhle
Includes £500 credit supported by MPB
Long term mentorship through Open Doors Gallery
Listed on the OD Artist page & Artsy platform for at least one year, presenting available artworks from their submitted projects

2 x Runners-Up:

Long term mentorship through Open Doors Gallery
Listed on the OD Artist page & Artsy platform for at least one year, presenting available artworks from their submitted projects

Metro Imaging Mentorship Award:

Tailored mentorship programme designed to support the awarded artist through any aspect of their career development which they deem vital
A unique opportunity to gain ongoing 1:1 advice and guidance from Professor Steve Macleod, Creative Director at Metro Imaging, to help nurture and expand their practice

Juror's Choice Award:

Spotlight by an individual Juror in recognition of the strength of an artist's work
A dedicated text by their respective Juror published on our website

Shortlisted Artists:

In total x25 shortlisted artists [including the above] will be invited to participate in an online exhibition through Open Doors Gallery and each artist will be invited to have a print on display at the Photo Book Cafe exhibition in December.

About Open Doors Gallery

Open Doors Gallery is a global platform for emerging contemporary photographic artists. Representing and developing the careers of several award winning artists, each with their own unique approach to the medium. From mixed media and sculptural artworks to darkroom creations and documentary work. We believe the limitless possibilities of the photographic medium make it the perfect prism through which to explore the world and to build a collection.

Open Doors Gallery believes in making art accessible and affordable. As a nomadic gallery with no permanent fixed location, the digital side is important, however we believe wholeheartedly in exhibiting and showcasing the physical object. We do that wherever possible through our programme of art fairs, exhibitions, events & publications throughout the year.

Open Doors has a strong presence online [@odtakeovers & @odprintsales] choosing to showcase a wide variety of styles from within and beyond our family of represented artists. We work towards broadening people's understanding of this exciting medium. The OD Photo Prize is one way that we hope to achieve that.

How to Enter

Must be working within the first ten years of their practise
Only 6-15 images per project submission is permitted.
Follow the entry requirements specified below
Complete £15 entry payment via Picter

Judging Criteria

OD Photo Prize 2023 is an open theme. We greatly encourage submission from artists working across all forms of photographic art: this includes, but is not limited to, storytelling, narrative, social documentary, construction, archival, conceptual or theoretical practices. Submissions must be photographic or lens-based but can incorporate other art forms (i.e. performance, collage, painting, sculpture, music, literature etc), and may result in unique artworks.

Alongside the Grand Prize Winner, two Runners Up and Judges Choice awards, there will be up to 10 further artists invited to participate in the OD Photo Prize 2023 exhibition based upon the judges' votes.

Successful entrants will be notified by email in mid-September 2023 with information regarding the following steps towards publication and exhibition. A list of selected applicants and awardees will be published on Open Doors Gallery’s social media channels and website. The decision on successful entrants is final.

Words from our 2021 Winner

“When I received the OD Photo Prize in 2021, my project Teetering like a September myth was still in its infancy, with only a handful of close friends even knowing that it existed. The support I received from Tom and Steve in the following months would be instrumental to my completing the work and releasing it as a book the following year. As an emerging artist still finding my feet in many ways, the OD Photo Prize and exhibition have been really important entry-points into showing my work publicly and I’ll forever hold this experience as a pivotal point in the early stage of my career.”

– Angus Scott, Winner of OD Photo Prize 2021