Call Description

The Human Portrait

DEADLINE: Wednesday March 25th, 2026 AT 11:59PM MDT

The portrait is more than a likeness. It is presence, gesture, relationship—a moment of connection between photographer and subject.

To celebrate our ongoing commitment to showcasing contemporary photography, Photo Artfolio invites photographers worldwide to submit work for The Human Portrait, a global online exhibit honoring portraiture in all its forms.

The portrait has never been singular. It exists in the studio and on the street, in collaboration and chance encounter, in carefully constructed images and experimental approaches that challenge what a portrait can be.

We seek portraits that move beyond surface representation—images that convey presence, emotion, tension, curiosity, or quiet recognition, and that reflect the many ways photographers engage with people and the world around them.

Submissions are open to all forms of portrait-based photography, including documentary, fine art, street, conceptual, experimental, self-portraiture, and beyond. AI-generated imagery is not eligible for consideration.

The top three images will receive awards of 1st Place: $500, 2nd Place: $350, and 3rd Place: $150, respectively.

CALENDAR: DEADLINE — Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 AT 11:59PM MDT. Photographers will receive notification of acceptance by Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, when our online exhibit opens.

AWARDS: All accepted pieces will be displayed in our online gallery at www.photo-artfolio.com. First Place: $500, Second Place: $350, Third Place $150.

ENTRY FEE: $20 for first entry. $5 for each additional image. You may enter up to 20 images in total. Payment is non-refundable and does not guarantee acceptance.

ENTRY PROCEDURE: Entry is done through CaFÉ, To apply for this call, click on Apply Now. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@photo-artfolio.com.

IMAGE PREPARATION: All images must be in JPEG format using CaFÉ guidelines. The image size must be 1,200 pixels or greater on the longest side. Maximum file size is 5 mb.

NOTIFICATION: Notification will be done by email and everyone who submits will be notified of the final selections. If for any reason you do not hear from us by the notification date, please check the filters in your email account or check your spam box. Notification emails are sent to the email on file with CaFÉ. Each show is curated and juried by Creative Director, Julia Cumes, along with an anonymous committee of jurors. Please note, there is no personal feedback given by jurors.

SALES: All sales inquiries will be directed to the photographer’s website and photographers receive 100% of the sale of their work.  
 

Application Requirements

You may enter a minimum of 1 image and no more than 20 images in total. All work submitted must be original work created and owned by the submitting photographer. This call is open to all forms and categories of photography with the exception of AI-generated work.

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to photographers worldwide, both amateur and professional. No AI generated images please.