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One of my favorite things is working with photographers over the course of many years. Buff and I first did a print promo together in 2015. This fall, we worked on a Volume II of her How We Live zine. The zine is designed by https://beckyplante.com/ and beautifully printed by Paper Chase Press.
I love how this big update to Kari Medig’s site turned out. I've worked with Kari for 10 years and it's been amazing to see how his work continues to evolve and his client list grow. Kari is based in Vancouver and creates intimate and honest brand, travel, and portrait work. Check it out at karimedigphoto.com.
Oakland, California-based interiors photographer Vivian Johnson works with some of the west coast’s top designers and architects. Every time we collaborate on a project, I get serious inspiration from the gorgeous spaces and thoughtful details.
Updated August 2024
Format
Description: Format is known for its easy-to-use interface and customizable templates, making it a popular choice for photographers who want a professional-looking portfolio without much hassle.
Pricing: Starts at $6/month
Details: Format
Adobe Portfolio
Description: Adobe Portfolio is ideal for photographers already using Adobe Creative Cloud, offering seamless integration with other Adobe tools like Lightroom and Photoshop.
Pricing: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud subscription
Details: Adobe Portfolio
PhotoFolio
Description: PhotoFolio offers high-quality, professionally designed templates tailored specifically for photographers, focusing on showcasing images with maximum impact.
Pricing: Starts at $17/month
Details: PhotoFolio
Photoshelter
Description: Photoshelter is a robust platform with advanced tools for managing archives, selling prints, and offering client proofing, making it ideal for professional photographers with large portfolios.
Pricing: Starts at $10/month
Details: Photoshelter
Wix
Description: Wix is a versatile website builder that offers modern templates and extensive customization options, suitable for photographers who want more design flexibility.
Pricing: Free option, premium plans start at $14/month
Details: Wix
Squarespace
Description: Squarespace is known for its sleek, design-forward templates that are perfect for photographers who prioritize aesthetics and want a polished, professional online presence.
Pricing: Starts at $12/month
Details: Squarespace
Cargo Collective
Description: Cargo Collective offers a more artistic approach with highly customizable templates, making it ideal for photographers and creatives looking to stand out with unique portfolio designs.
Pricing: $99/year or $13/month
Details: Cargo Collective
SmugMug
Description: SmugMug is a powerful platform for photographers who need a combination of portfolio presentation, eCommerce, and print fulfillment services, with strong security and storage options.
Pricing: Starts at $9/month
Details: SmugMug
Zenfolio
Description: Zenfolio is tailored for professional photographers who require a comprehensive solution for showcasing, selling, and delivering their work, with strong client proofing tools.
Pricing: Starts at $25/year
Details: Zenfolio
Pixpa
Description: Pixpa is an all-in-one platform that offers a portfolio, store, blog, and client galleries, making it a versatile option for photographers looking to manage everything in one place.
Pricing: Starts at $7/month
Details: Pixpa
Square Online (Weebly)
Description: Square Online, formerly known as Weebly, is a user-friendly platform that integrates seamlessly with Square’s eCommerce tools, ideal for photographers who want to sell prints and products online.
Pricing: Free option, premium plans start at $12/month
Details: Square Online
Dunked
Description: Dunked provides simple, elegant portfolio templates that are easy to set up and manage, perfect for photographers looking for a minimalist and straightforward design.
Pricing: Starts at $8/month
Details: Dunked
Carbonmade
Description: Carbonmade is an intuitive drag-and-drop portfolio builder that’s great for creatives who want a hassle-free way to showcase their work with fun, modern designs.
Pricing: Plans start at $8/month
Details: Carbonmade
Format Pro
Description: Format Pro offers enhanced features for professional photographers, including advanced client proofing, eCommerce options, and a more extensive range of templates and customization.
Pricing: Pro plan starts at $25/month
Details: Format Pro
Let me know if you have others that you like using!
Format
Photoshelter
PhotoFolio
The 2023 Snowball Express was 8 days of photography, laughs, hugs, and some tears. Put on by the Gary Sinise Foundation, Snowball Express brings thousands of military and first responder families together at Disney World to honor their fallen heroes.
The media team not only captures all of the events that take place, but they also work closely with families to document the stories of their lost loved ones. It’s one of the most rewarding photo editing jobs I could ask for. Thanks to Julia Robinson for bringing me on to the team.
Photos by:
Julia Robinson
Sol Neelman
Octavio Jones
Matthew Busch
Justin L. Stewart
Austin-based Melanie Grizzel has an authentic and warm approach to portraiture and storytelling. Her images exude a connection with the people she is photographing.
For her website update, we focused on showcasing the best of her portraits, food and tourism photography. The updated site is well-suited to editorial, corporate, non-profit, and travel industry clients.
It was the middle of an endless summer in Austin when AFAR reached out asking if I’d be interested in working on a travel guide for Visit California, one of the nation’s largest and most successful tourism boards.
With the blazing sun and 90% humidity beating down on my home office, I happily said, “yes!”. If I couldn’t spend the summer in California, at least I could distract myself with a deep dive into some of the most beautiful images of its mountains, beaches and beautiful cities.
The brief:
Source unique, stunning, and high quality imagery from over 500 points of interest across the state. Find images that evoke a sense of quiet luxury, focusing on unexpected experiences.
Manage permissions, model releases, and licensing.
The sources:
Favorite California-based lifestyle photographers, including Amanda Friedman who captured the beautiful poppy field moment featured on the cover
PR firms
Hotels and restaurants
Regional and city tourism boards, including Visit Palm Springs, Visit Anaheim, and Go North Lake Tahoe, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, and many others
The results:
A beautiful, antiqued copper wire-bound source book, as well as a stunning digital experience.
The bonus:
Appreciating the beauty of the images alongside the playful and fun illustrations of the amazing Libby VanderPloeg!
Angie Webb is an Atlanta-based commercial photographer with a bold, graphic style and fun, lighthearted approach. Her new website features food, brand stories, motion, people and travel.
https://angie-webb.com/
Kate Benson is a New Hampshire-based product, lifestyle, and fashion photographer with an elegant style that feels fresh and modern while giving a nod to timeless beauty. We updated her website to showcase the variety of client work she’s produced and tell the story of the kind of work she is passionate about.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Texas Tribune Festival since 2016. Of course, Covid really put a damper on large scale events like TribFest, so I appreciate the event even more now that it’s back in full force.
For the 2022 festival, I focused on producing all of the sponsorship and marketing-related photography coverage, managing the budget, scheduling and photo assignments for the team of photographers and photo editors.
See more of the photos, including those produced by the editorial team.
Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune
Erika Rich for The Texas Tribune
Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune
Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune
Laura Skelding for The Texas Tribune
DC-based photographer Rebecca Drobis was awarded a contract by FHI 360 to create a custom image library for the CDC to use for its diabetes prevention campaigns. CDC realized that traditional stock photography just wasn’t connecting with their users, and wanted to focus on real people talent and situations that would resonate.
I served as the project’s creative director. My priority was ensuring that the CDC’s missions and goals were furthered through Rebecca’s photography.
I reviewed CDC focus group findings, brand guidelines, and other marketing documentation in order to arrive at a list of key themes the photos should touch on.
We approached the project in phases over the course of 14 months, collaborating on what locations, talent, and situations would help the CDC achieve its goals. I created mood boards to help hone the creative direction, and once that was finalized, I created shot lists with location, art and talent direction.
Rebecca and her rock star producer Nancy Swenton took the months of prep and turned into shoot day magic, creating relatable, authentic imagery.
Kate Medley is a fantastic, North Carolina-based documentary storyteller and filmmaker. Her work is focused on social justice, the environment, agriculture, and life in the South. We worked together to revamp her website to feature the kind of work that she is most passionate about doing.
I got to work with the rock star photo crew for the Texas Book Festival again. Everyone was so happy to be IN PERSON and enjoying the beautiful, fall weather. Thanks to Bob and Janis Daemmrich for having me be their photo editor and to the amazing photographers: Laura Skelding, Stephen Spillman, and Bob Daemmrich.
Here are a few of my favorite photos from the weekend.
Attendees pose on Congress Ave / Laura Skelding
Xelena González / Stephen Spillman
Volunteers / Stephen Spillman
Sandra Cisneros / Bob Daemmrich
Jacques Pépin / Laura Skelding
Texas Writer Award boots / Bob Daemmrich
Beautiful weather and good eats / Bob Daemmrich
Chef Chris Scott / Laura Skelding
Rabia Chaudry poses with a fan / Laura Skelding
Capitol rotunda / Bob Daemmrich
Omar Epps / Laura Skelding
Capitol / Stephen Spillman
Aaron Dougherty is a Dallas-based interiors and architectural photographer. The spaces he photographs are so beautiful, and he lights them with the most gorgeous, luxurious light. His attention to detail and collaborative working style make him a favorite of designers, developers, and showrooms.
Jasmine Anwer is a Dallas-based interiors, food and product photographer. Her work has a bold, graphic sensibility and was a joy to curate.
Melanie Grizzel is an Austin, Texas-based portrait, travel, and food photographer. Her work has a sophisticated but approachable approach, and she makes the people she photographs feel comfortable and confident.
Hard to believe it’s been over 10 years since I joined the Big Weekend Calendar team as their photo editor. The 2023 edition was a joy to produce. From vintage clothes shopping in Austin’s North Loop neighborhood to hot rods and chihuahuas, this year’s calendar had something for everyone.
Here are a few of my favorite photos.
(Updated August 2024)
An objective, outside opinion and fresh look at work can help you craft a contest or grant entry that connects with the judges.
I've created contest edits for numerous photographers who went on to win World Press Photo, POYi, Communication Arts, and PDN Photo Annual awards.
Photography offers many opportunities to showcase your talent and receive support through contests and grants. Below is a comprehensive list of key photography contests and grants for 2024, including specific grants aimed at documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous.
International Photography Awards (IPA)
Prizes: Up to $12,000 for professionals
Eligibility: Open to photographers of all levels worldwide
Categories: Ranging from fine art to documentary photography
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Details: IPA Website
Sony World Photography Awards
Prizes: Multiple categories with significant media exposure
Eligibility: Open globally with specific categories for youth, students, and professionals
Deadline: Various deadlines for different categories (Professional competition: January 12, 2024; Open competition: January 5, 2024)
Details: Sony World Photography Awards
Monovisions Photography Awards
Prizes: $3,000 for Black and White Series of the Year
Eligibility: Open to black and white photographers at all levels
Deadline: January 21, 2024
Details: Monovisions Awards
Fine Art Photography Awards
Prizes: $5,000 in total cash prizes
Eligibility: Open to all, with categories for both amateurs and professionals
Deadline: February 11, 2024 (Early Bird: October 13, 2023)
Details: Fine Art Photography Awards
Abbey Road Studios Music Photography Awards
Prizes: Mentorship sessions with leading industry figures
Eligibility: Open to all music photographers
Deadline: July 18, 2024
Details: Abbey Road Studios
Getty Images Editorial Grants
Amount: $5,000 to $15,000
Eligibility: Open to emerging photographers and photojournalists
Focus: Supports impactful editorial projects, particularly those highlighting underrepresented communities
Deadline: Typically opens in spring
Details: Getty Images Grants
The Howard Chapnick Grant
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Focuses on education, research, and projects promoting social change in photojournalism
Deadline: Spring 2024
Details: W. Eugene Smith Fund
The Magnum Foundation Fund
Amount: Varies per project
Eligibility: Prioritizes photographers of color and those working on projects related to social justice
Deadline: Typically opens in March
Details: Magnum Foundation
National Geographic Storytelling Grants
Amount: Up to $30,000
Eligibility: Open to photographers documenting underrepresented communities or critical global issues
Deadline: Rolling deadlines throughout the year
Details: National Geographic
The Alexia Foundation Grants
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Supports photographers focusing on social justice and human rights issues
Deadline: Opens in early 2024
Details: Alexia Foundation
Women Photograph Project Grants
Amount: Up to $5,000
Eligibility: Open to women and non-binary documentary photographers
Focus: Supports photographers telling stories about their communities or issues affecting women globally
Deadline: Opens in spring 2024
Details: Women Photograph
The Nat Geo Explorer Grant
Amount: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Open to early-career photographers who identify as women, Indigenous, or as part of an underrepresented community
Focus: Supports impactful storytelling projects
Deadline: Rolling applications throughout the year
Details: National Geographic Explorers
Indigenous Photograph Annual Grant
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Indigenous photographers from around the world
Focus: Supports the work of Indigenous photographers documenting their communities and issues relevant to them
Deadline: Typically opens in the fall
Details: Indigenous Photograph
The Visionary Woman Awards
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to women photographers with a focus on social justice or environmental issues
Focus: Supports projects that address critical issues affecting women and communities of color
Deadline: Summer 2024
Details: Visionary Woman Awards
Native and Indigenous Photographer Fund
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Exclusively for Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous photographers
Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight Indigenous experiences and stories
Deadline: Typically opens in the fall
Details: Native Photographers
Black Women Photographers Grant
Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: Open to Black women and non-binary photographers
Focus: Provides funding to help elevate the work of Black women photographers and document their communities
Deadline: Opens in spring 2024
Details: Black Women Photographers
Diverse Photographers Initiative by Adobe
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to photographers of color, particularly those from underrepresented communities
Focus: Supports creative projects that highlight diversity and social justice
Deadline: Opens in the spring of 2024
Details: Adobe Diversity Initiative
The Serendipity Arles Grant
Amount: €5,000
Eligibility: South Asian women photographers
Focus: Supports creative documentary projects that explore social issues in South Asia
Deadline: Typically opens in late summer
Details: Serendipity Arles Grant
Fellowship for Black Photographers by Light Work
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Black photographers working on documentary projects
Focus: Supports emerging and mid-career Black photographers with a focus on documentary work
Deadline: Opens in early 2024
Details: Light Work
The Color Positive Grant
Amount: $7,500
Eligibility: Photographers of color
Focus: Supports documentary photography projects that highlight positive stories from communities of color
Deadline: Opens in the fall
Details: Color Positive Grant
The landscape of photography contests and grants is rich and diverse, with numerous opportunities for photographers of all backgrounds to advance their careers and amplify their voices. For documentary photographers who are People of Color, Women, or Indigenous, these grants provide vital support to tell important stories that might otherwise go unheard. Stay updated with deadlines and apply to those that resonate most with your work and vision.
Explore, create, and submit—2024 could be your year to shine!
I’m excited to share Salt Lake City-based Kim Raff’s updated website. Kim is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Ilana recently launched her new website, featuring a variety of her commissioned work as well as personal projects. Visit at ilanapl.com. Ilana is based in Austin, Texas and works with clients around the world, frequently collaborating with the New York Times and Netflix’s hit show, Queer Eye. Follow her on instagram for all the latest!
