Animalia by A Smith Gallery

Animalia by A Smith Gallery turns its attention to the animal world in all its forms, from wildlife and birds to insects, reptiles, fish, mammals, and more interpretive approaches to the theme. The international call is open until November 2, 2026, with up to 47 photographs selected for an online exhibition running from November 27, 2026 to January 7, 2027.

Selected photographers receive more than exhibition placement. Their images are featured on the gallery’s social media, included in its online store, discussed during a GalleryTalk, and published in an exhibition catalog. Twenty-seven photographs will also be chosen for The 27, a limited-edition hardbound fine art book. The Juror’s Award and Director’s Award each include a separate one-month online solo exhibition, while the Visitors Award carries a $100 prize.

Animalia by A Smith Gallery fits naturally among Deartline’s photo contests, particularly for photographers working with animals as documentary subjects, wildlife, portraiture, abstraction, or fine art. The entry fee is $40 for the first five images, with additional photographs costing $5 each and no limit on the total number submitted.

Prizes

The Animalia by A Smith Gallery awards combine solo exhibition opportunities, publication, online visibility, and a public-vote cash prize. Up to 47 images will be selected for the main online exhibition.

• Juror’s Award: a one-month online solo exhibition, a copy of The 27 exhibition book, and a feature story on the A Smith Gallery blog.
• Director’s Award: a one-month online solo exhibition, a copy of The 27 exhibition book, and a feature story on the gallery blog.
• Visitors Award: $100 for the selected image receiving the most Instagram likes.
• Selected photographers: inclusion in the online exhibition, social media features, GalleryTalk discussion, listing in the gallery’s online store, and publication in the exhibition catalog.
• The 27: twenty-seven photographs from the final selection will appear in the gallery’s limited-edition hardbound fine art book.

The two solo exhibition awards make Animalia particularly relevant to photographers looking for opportunities connected with exhibition prizes as well as publication and online gallery visibility.

Categories or Themes

There are no separate categories. All entries respond to the broad theme of Animalia, which the gallery describes through subjects including fauna, beasts, birds, mammals, wildlife, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, and other creatures.

The brief leaves considerable room for interpretation, so entries do not need to follow a conventional wildlife approach. Documentary photographs, animal portraits, close studies, experimental images, and fine art interpretations can all engage with the theme. This makes the call particularly relevant to photographers also exploring wildlife photography contests while allowing a broader visual treatment of animal subjects.

Dates and Entry Fees

Here are the dates and fees for Animalia by A Smith Gallery:

Entry Fees:

• $40 for the first 5 images.
• $5 for each additional image.
• There is no limit to the number of photographs that can be submitted.

Photographers submitting 13 or more images are entitled to a complimentary 30-minute review with the gallery directors. Those submitting fewer than 13 images can add a review for $20.

How to Enter

Entries are submitted through the A Smith Gallery online application. Digital files must be JPEGs measuring 1,800 pixels on the longest side at 72 ppi and should not contain watermarks. Images must be numbered consecutively and labeled with the photographer’s name according to the gallery’s naming instructions.

Applicants can submit the form, upload their images, and pay online through PayPal. The gallery also provides an option to submit the application online and mail payment by check.

About the Jury

Traer Scott is the juror for Animalia by A Smith Gallery. She is an award-winning photographer and author whose work has appeared in publications including National Geographic, Time, Vogue, Le Monde, and Life. Her photographic series Natural History has been presented in museum and gallery exhibitions, and her work has also appeared in outdoor exhibitions including Photoville and The Fence.

The judging process is blind. A Smith Gallery removes photographers’ names and assigns entry and image numbers before the juror sees the work. Images from each entrant are presented together and in the order in which they were submitted.

Why Enter Animalia by A Smith Gallery?

One of the more distinctive aspects of Animalia is that recognition extends beyond a place in the group exhibition. The Juror’s Award and Director’s Award lead to separate month-long online solo exhibitions, while selected photographers can also appear in the exhibition catalog, GalleryTalk, social channels, online store, and potentially The 27 fine art book.

A Smith Gallery has been exhibiting photography since 2010 and works across analog, digital, and alternative photographic practices. For photographers comparing the best photography competitions for their own work, Animalia by A Smith Gallery offers a relatively focused animal theme but leaves considerable freedom in photographic style and process. Selected photographs can also be offered for sale through the gallery’s online store, with the artist either supplying the print or using the gallery’s printing service.

Rules and Copyright

We reviewed the official rules of the Animalia by A Smith Gallery to summarize the key participation requirements, copyright terms and image usage conditions. Before entering, we recommend checking the complete rules published by the organizer.

Rules

The call welcomes international entries and accepts photographers working across photographic mediums and styles. Images previously exhibited in an A Smith Gallery competition are not eligible.

A Smith Gallery currently states that it prefers not to accept images created with Artificial Intelligence because of copyright uncertainty and ongoing litigation. The wording does not establish an absolute AI prohibition, so Deartline classifies the policy as restricted rather than fully prohibited.

Up to 47 images will be selected for the exhibition. Twenty-seven of those photographs will also be chosen for The 27 hardbound exhibition book. Selected images are listed for sale through the gallery’s online store, with A Smith Gallery retaining 30% of the sales price.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain full rights to their own images. A Smith Gallery states that photographers’ images may be used for publicity and in connection with the online gallery, online store, exhibition catalog, and The 27 exhibition book.

The published conditions do not specify a license type, duration, or sublicensing provision. Because selected images may be included in products offered for sale, including the online store and exhibition publications, Deartline does not classify the image use as promotional only.

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For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.