Organizer Information
The Image Flow is a photography-focused creative organization and exhibition platform based in San Anselmo, California, United States. It operates as a gallery, education center, and curatorial space dedicated to contemporary photographic practice, offering exhibitions, workshops, and juried competitions that support both emerging and established photographers.
Through its recurring Photography Competition series, The Image Flow promotes accessible entry points into professional Photography exhibition circuits, while fostering critical engagement with visual storytelling, composition, and narrative image-making.
Title & Description
Photo of the Season Photography Competition – “Worth a Thousand Words”
The Image Flow invites photographers worldwide to participate in its seasonal Competition, themed “Worth a Thousand Words.” This edition challenges artists to submit powerful standalone photographic works that communicate narrative depth, emotional resonance, and conceptual clarity.
The program builds on its established “Photo of the Month” format, expanding into a seasonal structure to provide more time for submission and a broader curatorial selection process. The competition emphasizes storytelling through image-making, encouraging artists to create photographs that function as complete visual narratives without textual support.
Submitted works are evaluated by a juried panel based on composition, color, contrast, technical execution, subject interest, and conceptual strength. The selection process prioritizes images that demonstrate strong visual storytelling and interpretive depth.
Categories
- Photography
- Visual Arts
- Digital
- Mixed Media (photography-based only, where applicable)
- Printmaking (photographic processes)
- Alternative Photography
Eligibility
- Open to artists worldwide (International)
- Both amateur and professional photographers eligible
- Submissions must be original works created by the entrant
- Accepted mediums: analog, digital, alternative processes, photographic printmaking, digital photography-based art
- Not eligible: video/film works, moving image, and AI-generated imagery
- Works must be suitable for public exhibition spaces and respectful of cultural and social contexts
Program Benefits & Awards
- 1st Place: $150 cash prize
- 2nd Place: $100 cash prize
- 3rd Place: $50 cash prize
- Two Honorable Mentions
- Featured exposure across The Image Flow’s newsletter, website, and social media platforms
- Inclusion in a seasonal group exhibition at The Image Flow gallery (2027) featuring selected works from all four seasonal editions
- Curatorial visibility within a juried Exhibition program
Application Fee
- $15 per submission
- Up to 3 images per entry
Application Requirements
- Up to 3 photographic images per submission
- Image files must be named: Last Name_First Name_Artwork Title_Year
- Technical requirements (for selected works):
- 2500 px longest edge
- 72 ppi
- JPG format, sRGB color space
- Maximum file size: 5MB
- Online submission through the application portal
- Acceptance of competition terms and conditions
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Submission Deadline: 20 June 2026
- Event Date: 2027 (group exhibition, exact dates TBA)
Location
San Anselmo, California, United States
Additional Details
- Works are evaluated through a juried selection process with no individual feedback provided
- Selected works may be used for promotional purposes across The Image Flow’s media channels without additional compensation
- Artists retain full copyright of their work
- Unsold exhibition prints may be returned or shipped at artist expense; unclaimed works may be recycled after 30 days
- Strict content guidelines exclude overt sexual content, political or religious iconography, and violent or disturbing imagery
- Participation implies consent to mailing list inclusion for promotional updates
- The competition operates as a recurring seasonal Exhibition platform supporting ongoing photographic visibility and career development
- Contact: info@theimageflow.com | +1 415-388-3569
- Address: 328 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960