Tips and Mistakes to Avoid When Applying to a Photography Grant

Having organized grants since 2013, we have noticed best practices and recurring issues that often affect applications. Check them out and keep these suggestions in mind when it comes to preparing your next submission. Details always make the difference.

Even if we delegate the responsibility of awarding the prizes of our grants program to independent juries, our team always reviews all of the applications for editorial purposes. With the PhMuseum 2023 Women Photographers Grant currently open for submissions, we updated our list of recommendations to improve your submission. Check them out!

1. Select a Strong Cover Picture /

A photography project must be considered as a whole and read as a connected sequence of images conveying a clear narrative. Nevertheless, what gives the first impression of your work is the cover image. Think about something that will catch the judges' attention and will help them remember your project among the many submissions they have to go through. It might be something that represents your project, is visually impacting, or perhaps refers to the title.

2. When it Comes to the Edit, Less is (often) More /

Especially for those applying with new ongoing work, the excitement of showing new images can sometimes create an excess in the proposed edit. Although the limit is set to 20 images, a grant is not the right place to improvise and submit pictures that you are not sure about, just for the sake of showing more material. Through the years we have seen many projects with potential that weren’t strong enough because of the final edit. If you are unsure about yours, consider asking someone you trust in helping you finalise your selection before applying. You can even consider booking a 30-min or 60-min review with an expert from our team - it will be a good investment to develop your project and create a strong edit for grants and prizes you’re aiming to apply to in the coming months. Don't commit the mistake of adding too many “filler” images as this will undervalue your entry. Remember: on this occasion, less is more.

3. A Good Contextual Statement /

The project statement is an essential part of your submission. When well written, it shows self-confidence and that you own your creative work. This will help the judges to engage with it and understand your perspective. You want to be clear, accurate and synthetic. We recommend staying within 300 to 500 words, dividing the text into clear paragraphs, and starting with a strong introduction. We recommend the use of English to make your entry easily accessible to all judges. Always have a second pair of eyes to proofread your statement. You could also try a free app like Grammarly. Lastly, you can choose whether to use captions or not. If you decide to go for it, we recommend being organised and using a recurring format. Using captions well is a smart way to show the extra time and care you took in applying.

4. The Right Sequence /

The way you sequence images will affect what you are trying to express and it’s different in every work. It’s a personal process and there isn’t any wrong or right way to it. It’s about rhythm and flow, a bit like composing music. The right sequence might make the difference and really get the judges into your project. A way to start could be by selecting the strongest 2 to 4 images and deciding where you want to place them in the sequence. Work on it according to the subject, your personal style, and some dose of instinct. It might also be the right time to check your whole edit with experienced friends or colleagues.

5. The Right Title /

Remember what we said about the cover picture? The title has the same function; it should be inviting and on point. When presenting your work, you want to make it stand out among the others. So spend some time thinking of a good, coherent title. Be bold but not pretentious, think simple but don't be banal.

6. Do Not Include Two Works In The Same Submission /

If you wish to apply with two or more projects, we strongly advise to create two distinctive entries. Including two or more works in the same submission will generate confusion among the judges and likely undervalue your work. One consistent project is better than two rushed ones.

7. Do Not Wait For The Deadline /

Applying for a grant takes time and you don’t want to leave it to the last minute. Furthermore, when trying to submit, there might be too many users connected, implying a slow or unreliable connection; you might experience technical issues or simply have questions for the organisers, yet not enough time for them to get back to you. You might simply miss it. There are many reasons to prepare your application in advance, especially if you ask for other people’s help, so do not wait until the very last moment. It might impact the quality of your submission.

8. Details, Details, Details /

Make a list of all the points above and ask yourself if everything is in order. Carefully read the guidelines, take extra time in finalising the edit and always proofread what you have written. Details always make the difference, especially at the very last stage of selection, when the judges need to decide on a winner among works that are on similar levels. Little details make the difference between an applicant and a shortlisted photographer; between a shortlisted photographer and a prize-winner. Before clicking submit, take a few minutes to double-check everything once more.

9. Research before applying /

Conduct a bit of research before starting with your application. Who are the past winners? Do not focus on the main prizes only. Study the jury, is there anyone, in particular, you want to show your work to? Making the jury aware of your work is a great networking tool to connect with them in the future. Finally, be aware that applying for grants is a way to get your work out there, receive feedback and challenge your project.

10. Talk about what you care about/

Works that stand out are often those in which the photographer's passion and knowledge of a certain issue are deep and genuine. If you care for the subject of your storytelling, it will be easier for you to focus, express your authorship and eventually communicate something to an audience or a panel of judges. Don't forget who you are, what you are passionate about and what really matters for you.

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Extras:

Submission Guidelines /

File size, number of images, personal info such as your age to be considered for the New Generation Prize, etc... Please read and follow the guidelines which are there to help you present a well-drafted application in front of the judges.

Copyrights /

Watermarks are not required and can sometimes look unprofessional in the eyes of the judges.

Post Production /

Unless it’s essential to express your project’s idea, don't over-process images.

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The PhMuseum 2023 Women Photographers Grant aims to empower the work and careers of female and non-binary professionals of all ages and from all countries working in diverse areas of photography. Its mission is to support the growth of the new generations and promote stories narrated from a female perspective, while responding to the need to work for gender equality in the industry. You are welcome to present your work before 12 October 2023 at 11.59 pm (GMT). Learn more and apply at phmuseum.com/w23.