National Portrait Gallery Announces 10th Anniversary TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE Call for Entries

For the first time in its history the National Portrait Gallery's annual competition the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize is to permit digital entries for its first round of judging, it was announced today, Friday 28 April 2017.

Submissions for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2017 are invited from Tuesday 2 May and will be accepted until 23.59 Thursday 29 June 2017.

The National Portrait Gallery's Photographic Portrait Prize, sponsored by Taylor Wessing since 2008, is one of the most competitive photography awards in the world and showcases the work of some of the most exciting and cutting-edge contemporary photographers. Since the international competition began in 1993, it has remained a hugely important platform for portrait photographers and offers an unparalleled opportunity for celebrated professionals, emerging artists and amateurs alike.

Selected anonymously from an open competition, the diversity of styles in the exhibition reflects the international mix of entrants as well as the range of approaches to the portrait genre, including formal, candid, and experimental images.

To enter the competition, in its tenth year of sponsorship by Taylor Wessing, photographers will be required to upload their image(s) via the website.

All images will be viewed by a panel of judges and the entrants who are successful in this round will be invited to deliver their work to a venue in London for the final round of physical judging. This new entry process will make it quicker and easier for photographers from across the globe to submit their work to the competition.

For the third year running, entrants to the competition are being encouraged to submit works as a series - either a group of individual portraits based on a particular theme, or two or more photographs that form a single portrait when shown together - in addition to stand-alone portraits. One series of photographs submitted to the competition may be chosen by the judges to be exhibited in its entirety. There is no minimum size requirement for submitted prints.

Also for the third year running there will be an In Focus display within the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition devoted to the work of one distinguished photographer but not part of the competition. This accolade has been awarded to Pieter Hugo in 2015 and Cristina de Middel in 2016.

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director, National Portrait Gallery, London, says: 'Building on the innovations of recent years, such as the In Focus display highlighting the work of an established photographer and the acceptance of photographic series of works, we now invite digital submissions for the first time, which we hope will open entering the competition to even more photographers throughout the world.'

Tim Eyles, Managing Partner, Taylor Wessing LLP, says: 'This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize and it's apt that this incredibly exciting milestone coincides with the launch of digital entries. During the last decade, we've seen this competition grow into one of the most prestigious photography awards in the world with some truly exceptional submissions. Many entries challenge our assumed perspective of the world - which is exactly what we need to keep us thinking in new and original ways. The arts are integral to our culture at Taylor Wessing, as we champion creativity and innovation in all its forms. We very much look forward to seeing what this year will bring and the talent we are likely to unearth along the way.'

The competition is open to anyone over the age of 18. Full information about how to enter, including entry forms and rules, can be found online at npg.org.uk/photoprize .

This year's judging panel will be Dr Nicholas Cullinan (Chair and Director, National Portrait Gallery, London); David Campany (Writer, Curator and Artist); Tim Eyles, Managing Partner, Taylor Wessing LLP; Sabina Jaskot-Gill (Associate Curator, Photographs, National Portrait Gallery, London); Fiona Shields (Head of Photography, The Guardian) and Gillian Wearing (Artist.)

TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2017

16 November 2017 - 18 February 2018

Admission £6 with donation (concessions £4.50) Supported by Taylor Wessing

Entries accepted from Tuesday 2 May - Deadline for submissions: Thursday 29 June 2017

PUBLICATION

A catalogue featuring all the selected photographs and an essay by a leading author, will accompany the exhibition (RRP £15 and £10 Gallery shop exclusive price).

SPECIAL EDITION OF PUBLICATION FOR COMPETITION ENTRANTS

All entrants have the unique opportunity to buy a special edition of the exhibition catalogue (RRP £15.00 + £5.00 p+p), featuring all the selected artists, an essay by a leading author, and a note of thanks and facsimile signature of the Director of the National Portrait Gallery. The special edition is only available to entrants and will not be available through the Gallery shops or online.