GLOBAL – D&AD is partnering with Getty Images to create a global photography award for professionals and freelancers in the first three years of their careers.
Launching 15 September, the Next Photographer Award is the second in the D&AD Next series, following the launch of the Next Director Award in partnership with YouTube earlier this year. The Next series aims to bridge the gap between the D&AD Professional Awards and New Blood programme by identifying and showcasing new talent in the initial stages of their careers.
Through the Next Photographer Award, new photographers will have the chance to win mentorship from a wide portfolio of acclaimed photographers, agents and advertising agencies, offering a considerable launchpad for a young creative looking for that big break. The Award will be judged by a panel of nine top names (plus one guest judge) representing a broad cross-section of the industry, including:
· Sarah Thomson, Head of Art Production, Fallon (Jury Foreman)
· Daniel Moorey, Head of Print, adam&eveDDB
· James Reid, Photography Director, Wallpaper*
· Jefferson Hack, Editorial Director, Dazed Group
· Johanna Neurath, Design Director, Thames & Hudson
· Andy Saunders, Senior Vice President of Creative Content, Getty Images
· Miles Aldridge, Photographer
· James Day, Photographer
· Choi Liu, Creative & Portfolio Consultant
· Guest Judge: Oliviero Toscani, Photographer
To enter, new photographers will be asked to submit three images, either from a series or pieces produced individually. There is no theme, no age limit and unlike the D&AD Professional Awards, entries do not have to be commercially released to be eligible. Entrants must be out of full time education and have no more than three years of editorial or advertising industry experience as a photographer.
Andy Saunders, Senior Vice President of Creative Content, Getty Images says, “We are delighted to partner with D&AD and are looking forward to discovering fresh and inspiring talent – that is, a photographer who has the ability to tell a story visually with unique and creative vision, outstanding technique and originality. This is no mean feat and we are excited to see the creative and innovative work the competition will unveil.”
Sarah Thomson, Head of Art Production, Fallon commented, “The Next series is a really exciting development at D&AD. Creatives can now start new careers at all stages of life and these awards allow us to find and recognise new and emerging talent – with a real opportunity to kick-start their careers with mentoring and guidance from some of the industry’s best.”
The Next Photographer Award will produce two shortlists, one in November 2014 and one in March 2015, with one entry allowed per entrant, per deadline. The overall winner will be picked from the two shortlists and announced at the D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May 2015.
Additional benefits of winning include a coveted D&AD Pencil, a prize fund from Getty Images to pursue a project of personal significance, plus tickets and flights to the D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony.
