Please note that due to the high volume of requests, it is not possible for Aperture’s editors to review unsolicited material outside of the Aperture Portfolio Prize competition. Thank you for your understanding.

• What are Aperture’s editors looking for?
• What is considered “new” or “recent” work?
• Can a submission be considered for both the competition and as a book proposal? 
• I have a book proposal; should I submit my work via the competition?
• I’d prefer to skip the competition and submit my work directly to an Aperture editor. Is this possible?
• If my work has been published in a monograph, or if I’ve won a competition with Aperture in the past, can I enter the current competition?
• I’m not a techie. Is the online submission process difficult?
• Can I submit more than one 15-image entry to the competition?
• Aperture’s old Portfolio Review used to accept hard-copy submissions. Will my work be seen at a disadvantage if viewed online?
• What if I run out of time?
• How do I subscribe to Aperture magazine?
• I don’t currently subscribe to Aperture, but I used to. Can I still enter?
• Where do I find my Aperture magazine account number?
• How do I find out when my subscription expires?
• What happens to work that is chosen as the first-prize winner or as a runner-up? 
• If I am not a winner will I receive feedback and suggestions on my work?
• I still need help. Who can I contact?

What are Aperture’s editors looking for?
While all work submitted will be considered for one of the prizes or publication beyond the competition, in choosing the first-prize winner and runners-up, we hope to recognize innovative work that pushes the boundaries of what has been seen or done before. We are looking for work that is fresh and that hasn’t been widely seen in other major publications or exhibition venues.

What is considered “new” or “recent” work?
Work that has been created within the past five years.

Can a submission be considered for both the competition
and as a book proposal?
Yes. Beyond the Aperture Portfolio Prize, judges will consider the work for any and all Aperture publications and exhibitions.

I have a book proposal; should I submit my work via the competition?
Yes. Make a note at the top of your statement, and please be sure to follow the entry requirements.

I’d prefer to skip the competition and submit my work directly to an Aperture editor. Is this possible?
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of requests, it is not possible for Aperture’s editors to review material outside of the Aperture Portfolio Prize competition. Further, unsolicited work cannot be returned unless sufficient return postage has been included.

If my work has been published in a monograph, or if I’ve won a competition with Aperture in the past, can I enter the current competition?
In an effort to create opportunities for lesser-known photographers, we cannot accept entries from those who have had their work published in a monograph. The same is true of entrants who have won an Aperture competition within the last three years. However, we encourage you to reapply after the three years have passed.

I’m not a techie. Is the online submission process difficult?
You will find easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions at www.callforentry.org.

Can I submit more than one 15-image entry to the competition?
Artists may submit up to two separate portfolios of 15 images each. A separate Café profile and application is required for each entry. The $25 entry fee must be paid for each submission, though the same Aperture magazine account can be used for both submissions. Registration content is not transferable from one account to another.

Aperture’s old Portfolio Review used to accept hard-copy submissions. Will my work be seen at a disadvantage if viewed online?
Aperture’s editors are accustomed to evaluating photography via computer monitors. This is quickly becoming standard practice for more and more juried competitions and reviews. If your scans are good quality, we will easily make the mental leap from the computer screen to the actual work.

What if I run out of time?
No exceptions will be made for late submissions. Please allow for ample time to complete your entry.

How do I subscribe to Aperture magazine?
Click here to purchase a print subscription for $75.00 for one year (Canada $95.00; international $105.00). The digital edition is included with all print subscriptions. Subscribe to the digital edition only for $25.00 for one year via Zinio.

I don’t currently subscribe to Aperture, but I used to. Can I still enter?
Only the work of current, paid subscribers is eligible. You can either be a print or digital subscriber.

Where do I find my Aperture magazine account number?
If you are a current print subscriber, check the address label affixed to the outside of a recent issue (as shown below) or request your account number by sending an e-mail with your name and address to custsvc_aperture@fulcoinc.com. (If you are a new print subscriber, your account number will be included in the second confirmation e-mail, which you should receive approximately 30 minutes after your order is submitted.)

*Actual label or invoice may differ from one shown.

If you are a Zinio digital subscriber, login to your Zinio account. Click on “account settings” then “view order history.” Find your Order ID — this is your Aperture magazine account number.

How do I find out when my subscription expires?
If you know your account number, you can check the status of your print subscription on the change-of-address page. Just view your account status without submitting a change-of-address. If you don’t know your account number, you can e-mail us here. Please include your name and address. For digital subscriptions, login to your Zinio account. Click on “account settings” then “manage subscriptions.” Your current account status will indicate if your subscription has expired. To enter the Portfolio Prize, your subscription must run at least through the Summer issue.

What happens to work that is chosen as the first-prize winner or as a runner-up?
Once an entrant has been chosen for the first prize or as a runner-up, an editorial staff member will contact the artist. The 2011 first-prize winner will receive $3,000 and an exhibition hosted by Aperture. Work by the first-prize winner as well as the runners-up will be featured on the Aperture website for approximately one year. We also will announce the winners in an Aperture e-newsletter.

If I am not a winner will I receive feedback and suggestions on my work?
Due to the large number of entries it is not possible to provide personalized feedback for every entrant. Please see our Resources page to find information about review opportunities, including in-person reviews and other competitions and awards.

I still need help. Who can I contact?
Send an e-mail to aperture prize [at] aperture.org.