Closes: 30/04/2026 5:00 pm

The Shutter Hub Editions Photobook Award celebrates bold, original storytelling in photobook form. It offers photographers the chance to showcase their strongest work through thoughtful curation and powerful narratives. We’re looking for projects of all genres that communicate with clarity, emotion, and vision.

This opportunity is open to both emerging and established photographers, we particularly welcome those creating their first book.

The award will be selected by Karen Harvey MBE, Founder and Creative Director of Shutter Hub. For over 20 years, Karen has dedicated her career to creating fair access and opportunities for photographers at all stages of their practice.

A shortlist of six photographers will be selected and celebrated with a dedicated feature, giving their work visibility and recognition. A number of photographers will also be invited to contribute a Close Up feature, offering the chance to share their practice with an audience of over 500,000 people each year.

The winner will be awarded a fully funded and comprehensive production package which includes professional design, editing, printing, publishing, global distribution, promotion, and support. Your book will also be included in prestigious archives such as the British Library and Cambridge University.

We invite submissions that are bold, authentic, and deeply considered. Proposals should demonstrate a clear artistic vision, with a minimum of 20 images, thoughtfully sequenced to create a compelling visual narrative. Every detail of presentation matters – this is your chance to showcase not just your imagery, but the story and intent behind it.

Photographers should submit a detailed proposal including the following:

One (1) PDF document including:

  • A selection of at least 20 images.

One (1) Word document (.doc) including:

  • An outline of your theme, inspirations, and future plans for this work.
  • Why this book needs to be made, and who you feel the audience is.
  • Why your work is a good fit for the Shutter Hub Editions collection.
  • Your CV and/or Artist’s Statement.

Applications are open from 30 October 2025 to 30 April 2026. All submissions will be reviewed after the deadline, and every applicant will receive a response within three months.

Our photobooks are available worldwide through selected stockists and the Shutter Hub shop and are held in major archives including the British Library and Cambridge University.


Join the Shutter Hub community by subscribing to our mailing list for all our photography news and opportunities, direct to your inbox.  Got any questions? Email us here.

THE BRIEF

The Shutter Hub Editions Photobook Award celebrates bold, original storytelling in photobook form. It offers photographers the chance to showcase their strongest work through thoughtful curation and powerful narratives. We’re looking for projects of all genres that communicate with clarity, emotion, and vision.

This opportunity is open to both emerging and established photographers, we particularly welcome those creating their first book.

We invite submissions that are bold, authentic, and deeply considered. Proposals should demonstrate a clear artistic vision, with a minimum of 20 images, thoughtfully sequenced to create a compelling visual narrative. Every detail of presentation matters – this is your chance to showcase not just your imagery, but the story and intent behind it.

HOW TO ENTER

Please read the specification information below and enter via the form on the next page.

Photographers should submit a detailed proposal including the following:

One (1) PDF document including:

  • A selection of at least 20 images.

One (1) Word document (.doc) including:

  • An outline of your theme, inspirations, and future plans for this work.
  • Why this book needs to be made, and who you feel the audience is.
  • Why your work is a good fit for the Shutter Hub Editions collection.
  • Your CV and/or Artist’s Statement.

The design and pricing of the book will be consistent with previous Shutter Hub Editions publications. Please consider this when applying, as final design decisions will be at Shutter Hub’s discretion.

Applications are open from 30 October 2025 to 30 April 2026. All submissions will be reviewed after the deadline, and every applicant will receive a response within three months.

FEES & ENTRY

At Shutter Hub, we support creative photographers and provide opportunities for them to showcase their work through accessible exhibitions, publications and creative projects. We believe that everyone should be able to expand and grow their creative practice and we aim to offer opportunities without a cost barrier to entry.

Through Shutter Hub Editions and the Shutter Hub Editions Photobook Award, we want to invest in photographers, back their work, and help to showcase and promote them to an engaged and interested audience.

The fee to submit a proposal is £25. If your proposal is accepted, we ask that you commit time to working with us, but final design and production will be carried out by Shutter Hub. There will be no further or hidden production costs for the photographer after submission and Shutter Hub will finance the project fully. We will supply a proof copy for sign off, and 5 copies of the completed book.

The book will be promoted through our website, social media and newsletter, to our community, press, industry partners and our extensive network. It will be made available for sale through our web shop and selected stockists, and we will place it in the archives of the British Library, Cambridge University and other notable institutions.

Due to the nature of publishing and the high costs involved, Shutter Hub does not make a profit through the production of Shutter Hub Editions publications. If/when a profit is made, after design, print, production and re-seller costs are covered, we will pay 40% commission to the photographer.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR ENTRIES

Please submit your written proposal as a word document, including all the details listed above, and a PDF document including a selection of 20+ images.

All submitted files must be named with photographer’s name and title of work. Files that are not labelled correctly may not be accepted. Correct file naming looks like this: firstname_lastname_project_title.filetype

Please read the Terms and Conditions for further details.

Photographers retain copyright and ownership over their images.

SALE OF WORK

The book will be made available for sale through the Shutter Hub shop and our selected stockists. The photographer will receive 40% of the profit from all sales of the book, after production costs and re-seller fees have been recouped. See above for more detailed information.

Any enquiries from interested parties with regards to commissions, print sales or other opportunities that arise through Shutter Hub Editions’ publicity will be noted and passed directly to the photographer.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The book will be produced and published by Shutter Hub Editions.

The design and pricing of the book will be consistent with previous Shutter Hub Editions publications.

The book will be made available for sale through the Shutter Hub shop and our selected stockists. The photographer will receive 40% of the profit from all sales of the book, after production costs and re-seller fees have been recouped.

The photographer will receive a proof copy for sign off, and 5 copies of the completed book.

Shutter Hub reserves the right to display, reproduce and publish in any media any entry, without payment, for the purpose of the project and its promotion and publicity. Copyright remains with the originator and each photographer shall be deemed to warrant that they own the entire copyright in the work or that they have permission from the licensee and/or copyright owner/s for the uses and that all necessary model releases and clearances have been obtained. If relevant, insurance of the artist’s work is the responsibility of the artist. Shutter Hub reserve the right to refuse work that they deem to be inappropriate, offensive or explicit.

Please make sure you read and agree with the above information before you submit your application. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to abide by the terms and conditions and the information set out above.


Join the Shutter Hub community by subscribing to our mailing list for all our photography news and opportunities, direct to your inbox.  Got any questions? Email us here.

Shutter Hub Editions Photobook Award
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Documents - Shutter Hub Editions Photobook Award

Please upload your full Book Proposal, CV and Artist's Statement as one (1) Word Document, making sure to include all the information outlined in the Brief. *

Maximum file size: 5MB

Please upload One (1) PDF document including a selection of images (no less than 20) in a considered, sequenced order. *

Maximum file size: 5MB

Help support Shutter Hub Editions

There is a minimum donation of £25 to submit your work for this opportunity, and all contributions will go directly to the production of the project. If you would like to donate more to further support our production costs, we thank you. We are a small organisation and receive no external grants or funding but we’re determined to do what we can to keep photography open to all, and if you are in a position to help us do that it is very much appreciated!

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Terms and conditions

Please review the Terms and Conditions here.

Before submitting your form we recommend saving all your details as a Word document, along with a note of which images you submitted, for your records.

If you experience any errors while submitting your form please contact us at info@shutterhub.org.uk, including details of error messages, browser etc., so we can investigate this for you.