Documentary Photography Portfolio Call: Editorial Review & Publication

Deadline: 02/08/2026

City: London  |  Region: London  |  Country: United Kingdom  |  Bela Varadi

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There comes a moment in every long-term documentary project when new eyes become essential. After months—or sometimes years—of photographing, editing and living with a body of work, it becomes increasingly difficult to see it with distance.

This open call offers three documentary photographers the opportunity to step back, receive an in-depth editorial review and publication from an internationally published documentary photographer.

Studio90s invites documentary photographers who approach the world with curiosity and conviction.

We seek long-term projects that explore people, identity, place, community, culture, or urgent social issues through a personal and authentic visual perspective.

Completed and ongoing projects are both welcome.

Three photographers will be selected.

Each will receive an in-depth written editorial portfolio review by Béla Váradi, together with publication of their selected project on the Studio90s website.

Every editorial review is individually written and tailored specifically to the submitted project.

The editorial review provides a detailed written assessment, focusing on editing, sequencing, narrative structure, visual coherence, image selection, and overall strength.

The aim is to highlight both the project's strengths and the areas with the most potential for further development.

Selected projects will be published on the Studio90s website (approximately 1,300 estimated monthly visits) and promoted through Béla Váradi's professional Instagram account (10.4K followers), reaching an international audience interested in documentary photography.

This opportunity is intended for photographers who value thoughtful editorial feedback over competition. If you are preparing a project for publication, exhibition, grant application, or simply seeking clearer direction, our goal is to help you progress with greater confidence.

About the reviewer

The editorial reviews are led by Béla Váradi, a London-based documentary photographer whose long-term work explores identity, social justice, and underrepresented communities.

His projects have been published by The Guardian, Balkan Insight, WOZ, and other international publications, and have received international recognition, including the FIDAS International Journalism Award (2025) and the Faces of Poverty Grand Prize (2011) for documentary storytelling. His work has also been exhibited at international festivals, museums, and galleries across Europe.

Alongside his documentary practice, Béla has extensive experience leading workshops and reviewing photographic work.

He has led photography workshops at Queer Britain in London, delivered visual storytelling training for Roma journalists in Serbia, and recently led a week-long documentary photography retreat in Morocco for international participants focused on editing, sequencing, and long-term storytelling.

This is Studio90s' first international open call, grounded in years of professional documentary practice, teaching, editorial work, and international collaboration.

Our aim is to provide photographers with thoughtful, constructive, and honest editorial feedback that helps them develop stronger projects and greater confidence in their visual storytelling.

Submission fees

The following submission fees apply to this opportunity.

  • Submission Fee - 15.00 GBP

The appropriate fee will be payable using a debit or credit card after the first submission has been completed. If the submission fee allows you to submit more than once, you will be able to make further submissions after the first. Contact the curator if you have any questions about the opportunity or the submission fee, or email help@curatorspace.com if you have any questions about the payment process.

Make a submission Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
Open to documentary photographers worldwide, at any stage of their career. Both completed and ongoing long-term projects are welcome.
When is the deadline?
Applications close on 02/08/2026 at 23:59 (UK time). Late submissions cannot be accepted.
How many works can I submit?
One documentary project per applicant. Please submit up to 1-10 images that best represent your project.
When is the delivery date?
Selected photographers will be contacted within two weeks after the submission deadline.
When do I need to collect my work?
Not applicable. This opportunity is fully online.
How much does it cost?
The submission fee is £15 per project. There are no additional fees for selected photographers.
Are there payments to artists?
No. Instead of a financial award, three selected photographers will receive an in-depth editorial review of their documentary project and publication on the Studio90s website and Studio90s online platforms.
Is there a private view / opening?
No. This is an online portfolio call.
What publicity will be provided as part of the opportunity?
Selected projects will be published on the Studio90s website (approximately 1,300 monthly visits) and promoted through Béla Váradi's professional Instagram account (10.4K followers). As Studio90s grows, selected work will remain permanently accessible through the website archive.
Do I need to be present?
No. The entire process, including portfolio review takes place online.
Where will my venue be listed?
Selected projects will be published on the Studio90s website (approximately 1,300 monthly visits) and promoted through Béla Váradi's professional Instagram account (10.4K followers), reaching an international audience interested in documentary photography.
How do you decide on proposals?
Projects are selected based on the strength of their visual storytelling, the coherence of the edit, the originality of the visual approach, and the project's long-term documentary potential—not on career stage or previous recognition.
What happens if my proposal is chosen?
Selected photographers will be contacted by email within two weeks of the deadline. They will receive an in-depth written editorial review of their submitted project, followed by publication of the selected work on the Studio90s website and its online platforms.
What kind of proposals are you looking for?
We welcome long-term documentary photography projects that explore people, identity, place, community, culture, or social issues through an honest, personal, and visually compelling approach. Both completed projects and works in progress are eligible.
What are the selection criteria?
Submissions will be assessed on the strength of the visual storytelling, editing, originality, coherence of the project, and its potential for further development. Previous awards or professional experience are not required.
How will I receive my editorial review?
Each selected photographer will receive a written (approximately 1,500–2,500 words) editorial review (PDF) by email within approximately two weeks after the selection results are announced.

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