POY LATAM 2025 RULES

1. Introduction

We aim to highlight the work of those who portray the complexity and diversity of Ibero-America, beyond exoticism and stereotypes. In all categories, respect for human dignity is essential.

2. Accepted Images

Geographical scope: Images must be taken in Ibero-America (all of Latin America, plus Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean), except in the categories Ibero-American Photographers in the World and Photographer of the Year, where images from anywhere in the world are accepted.

Date range: Images must have been created between January 1, 2023, and August 17, 2025, except in the categories Our Gaze, Long-Term Projects, and Reframing the Archive, which have no such limit.

Category standards:

• In classic categories, photos must accurately reflect the real-life circumstances as encountered, with no digital or physical alterations. Submissions previously entered in earlier POY Latam editions are not allowed.

• In open-format categories, manipulated or constructed images are accepted, provided there is clear conceptual justification and the techniques used are clearly stated. Generative AI imagery is strictly prohibited. Submissions previously entered in other editions of POY Latam are not allowed.

Narrative quality: Strong and coherent storytelling within the essay will be especially valued.

Technical honesty: Captions and descriptions must clearly indicate whether the image is documentary or artistic. Misrepresenting an artistic image as journalistic may lead to disqualification.

3. Who Can Participate

Eligible participants must be citizens of an Ibero-American country or legal residents of the region for at least one year, holding valid legal residency.

Proof of nationality or residency may be requested if needed.

4. Collectives and Independent Photographers

**Images may be created individually or collectively. All entries must be credited to the individual or collective responsible for them. Each photographer, artist, or collective must complete a separate entry form.

5. Submissions

Participation in POY Latam is free of charge.

Each participant may submit up to 10 projects in total, with a maximum of 2 per category.

A single photo submitted to an individual category counts as one entry.

Images must be submitted to the correct category; the organization will not move them manually.

6. Submission Process

POY Latam uses the Picter platform to receive entries (instructions available in English at https://submit.picter.com>). Guides in Spanish and Portuguese will also be made available.

Participants must create a Picter account and confirm their email address. You may return to your entry as many times as needed. Submissions open on June 30, 2025, and close on August 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Quito/Bogotá time.

Multimedia entries must be submitted as soon as possible via this form: https://airtable.com/appXuiNru5DEhNYLE/shrpobVKL5YMpkAhx

Photobooks must be submitted promptly after filling out this form: https://airtable.com/appXuiNru5DEhNYLE/shr7qNRBv909sWhoB

7. Captions and Metadata

Captions can be decisive during judging. They are accepted in Spanish, Portuguese, or English.

Use metadata software (e.g., Bridge, Photo Mechanic, or Lightroom) to embed credit, location, and description in the image file.

All information should be included in the IPTC metadata fields (Creator/Photographer, Caption, City, Country, State, etc.).

The essay's general description must appear in the caption field of the first image.

Photos can be reordered within Picter, and metadata should be double-checked.

8. Singles and Series

Only one image per .jpg file is allowed, except in open-format categories.

A single image:

• May only be submitted once to an individual category.

• If submitted individually, may also appear in one essay.

Each series or essay can only be submitted once.

Each essay must contain 5 to 10 images (unless the category specifies a different range).

Submitting multiple versions of the same essay in different categories may lead to disqualification.

Only the Photographer of the Year category may include essays submitted elsewhere, as it functions as a portfolio.

9. File Specifications

Images must be submitted in .jpg format.

Use maximum quality (compression >9 recommended).

Minimum size: 4,000 pixels on the longest side. Original size is preferred.

If the original image is smaller, upscale in Photoshop to meet the minimum requirement.

All images must be 8-bit, in Adobe RGB (preferred) or sRGB color space.

10. Judging and Winners

Judging for classic and open categories will be streamed virtually on designated dates in September 2025.

Judges will select up to six standout entries per category.

There will be no first, second, or third places–except in Photographer of the Year, where a winner and several finalists will be selected.

Judges are encouraged to recognize a wide variety of works.

A category may be declared void, though judges are encouraged to highlight the strongest submissions.

11. The Judging Process

Judges will meet live in a public and open session to evaluate all preselected images.

During preselection, each judge will vote privately and anonymously on Picter.

Only images with at least two affirmative votes will be preselected for public judging.

Judges must recuse themselves during final rounds if any entry belongs to their collective, or if they were involved in editing, producing, funding, or curating the project.

Judges may rescue an entry without two votes during earlier rounds–but not in the last two rounds. Attempting to rescue entries in violation of the above rule is a serious ethical breach.

The jury's decisions are final.

Winners will be announced no later than October 1, 2025.

12. Awards

• Photographer of the Year: USD 1,000 (provided by POY International).

• All other winners: digital certificates and additional prizes offered by sponsors (to be announced).

13. Copyright

Copyright remains with the image creators.

By participating, entrants grant POY Latam international, irrevocable, and perpetual permission to reproduce submitted works in exhibitions and publications, always crediting the photographer and the award received.

Entrants guarantee that the work submitted is original and that they own the rights to reproduce and exhibit it.

They declare that the material does not infringe upon third-party rights and complies with all applicable laws.

For additional information, visit our website poylatam.org or email us at mailto:info@poylatam.org.