The SE Center for Photography invites photographers worldwide to submit work to its upcoming international juried exhibition, The Contemporary Portrait 2025. This online competition focuses on the multifaceted theme of portraiture in the modern era, exploring remembrance, reverence, power, longing, and the reflection of inner experiences. The Contemporary Portrait offers selected photographers exposure through a curated virtual exhibition hosted on the SE Center’s platform, juried by the respected Aline Smithson, founder and editor of LENSCRATCH. This call welcomes a broad range of photographic approaches and is open to photographers at all skill levels.
The gallery encourages diverse interpretations, welcoming everything from traditional depictions to conceptual explorations, and embracing various techniques including analog, digital, antique processes, and digital manipulation, in both color and monochrome. The judging process will result in the selection of 35-40 images for the main virtual exhibition. Key benefits for selected artists include this curated online showcase, features on the SE Center’s social media platforms, inclusion in an archived online slideshow and video walkthrough, and the opportunity for sales facilitated by the gallery at a 0% commission rate.
The deadline to enter The Contemporary Portrait 2025 is May 25th, 2025. Selections will be announced approximately two weeks later, on June 10th, with the online exhibition running throughout July 2025. Entry requires a fee of $35 for up to five images ($28 for SE Center members), and additional images costing $6 each ($5 for members), up to a maximum of 15. The Contemporary Portrait 2025 presents a worthwhile opportunity for photographers specializing in portraiture who prioritize visibility, curated context, and direct sales potential. Undoubtedly, it is one of the photography challenges and contests that any portrait lover should keep in mind.
The The Contemporary Portrait by SE Center for Photography Prizes
The awards associated with The Contemporary Portrait 2025 by SE Center for Photography are designed to offer recognition, visibility, and future opportunities. The focus is on showcasing selected work through the Center’s established platforms.
- Virtual Gallery Exhibition: Approximately 35-40 selected photographs will be featured in the main curated virtual exhibition hosted on the SE Center for Photography website from July 1st to July 30th, 2025. This serves as the primary recognition platform.
- Online Slideshow & Video Walkthrough: Selected images are incorporated into an archived online slideshow and a video walkthrough of the exhibition, providing lasting online visibility for the artists and their work.
- Social Media Features: The SE Center promotes selected images and artists through its social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), potentially increasing audience reach.
- 0% Sales Commission: The SE Center encourages sales during the exhibition period and facilitates contact between potential buyers and artists.
The Categories or Themes of The Contemporary Portrait
The Contemporary Portrait 2025 is a single-theme competition.
The call invites photographers to submit work that explores the concept of the portrait in today’s world. The prospectus suggests a wide range of interpretations are welcome, touching upon portraits as objects like remembrance and reverence, seduction and glorification or representations of power. If you’re looking for portrait photography competitions, you’ve come to the right place.
The Contemporary Portrait by SE Center for Photography Dates and Entry Fees
| Event | Date / Deadline |
|---|---|
| Submissions Open | March 26, 2025 |
| Submissions Close | May 25, 2025 |
| Selections Announced | June 10, 2025 |
| Virtual Exhibition Opens | July 1, 2025 |
| Virtual Exhibition Closes | July 30, 2025 |
Keep track of this and other photography contest deadlines to ensure timely participation.
Entry Fees
- Standard Fee: $35 for up to five (5) images.
- Standard Additional Images: $6 for each additional image, up to a maximum of fifteen (15) images total per entrant.
- SE Center Member Fee: $28 for up to five (5) images.
- SE Center Member Additional Images: $5 for each additional image, up to a maximum of fifteen (15) images total per entrant.
Fees are non-refundable and payable online during submission.
How to Enter
Entries are submitted online via Smarter Entry. Photographers should prepare their images in JPEG format, using sRGB color space, at 72 dpi and 1200 pixels on the longest side. File names should follow this format: Port.LastName.FirstInitial_Image#.jpg. After uploading and completing payment, a confirmation email will be sent. For technical issues, participants can contact the SE Center directly before the deadline.
About the Jury
The juror for The Contemporary Portrait 2025 is Aline Smithson, an artist and educator known for her conceptual portrait work. Based in Los Angeles, Smithson has exhibited internationally, including solo shows at institutions such as the Griffin Museum of Photography and the San Jose Art Museum, as well as festivals in China, Spain, and France. She is also the founder of the photography journal LENSCRATCH and a recognized curator, writer, and teacher.
Her expertise in portraiture and long-standing involvement in the photographic community lend credibility and curatorial depth to this contest. Smithson’s selection is likely to emphasize works that challenge traditional formats while maintaining strong visual and emotional impact.
Why Enter “The Contemporary Portrait” by SE Center for Photography?
The Contemporary Portrait 2025 offers photographers specializing in portraiture a valuable opportunity to gain recognition through a curated platform. The primary appeal lies in having work selected by Aline Smithson, a prominent editor, educator, and artist known for her influential LENSCRATCH platform and keen eye for contemporary talent. Inclusion in the SE Center for Photography’s virtual exhibition provides exposure associated with a dedicated photography institution. The 0% commission on sales is a significant practical benefit, allowing artists to potentially profit directly from the visibility gained.
The combination of a respected juror, a curated online showcase, promotional features, and direct sales potential makes this contest a strong consideration for portrait photographers looking to build their CVs and reach new audiences within the genre. It’s a noteworthy option among the best photography challenges online for its specific focus and juror.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of The Contemporary Portrait 2025 by SE Center for Photography has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
The Contemporary Portrait 2025 is open internationally to photographers of all skill levels, aged 18+. Submissions must interpret the contemporary portrait theme. Images previously shown at SE Center within the last two years are ineligible. Entries are digital JPEGs submitted via Smarter Entry, meeting size (1200px longest), resolution (72dpi), and naming (`Port.LastName.FirstInitial_Image#.jpg`) requirements. Fees are $35 for up to 5 images ($6/add’l up to 15 total), with discounts for SE Center members. Fees are non-refundable. Deadline is May 25, 2025.
Copyright
Artists retain full copyright to their images submitted to The Contemporary Portrait 2025. By submitting work chosen for inclusion, artists grant SE Center for Photography non-exclusive permission to use the images for promoting the specific exhibition, the artist, SE Center programs, and related current/past exhibitions. This includes use on social media and the website. Usage is granted without further compensation. Artist names will be credited. The SE Center takes 0% commission on sales facilitated through the exhibition; artists receive 100% of the sale price.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
