Call For Entry: The Beauty in Decay

Beauty is subjective in the eye of the viewer. Societal conventions pressure us to conform to like-mindedness, yet the most ethereal craft often originates from divergent work that transgresses tradition. True innovation and creative brilliance often occur when individuals question or break away from established norms. How does your work depict or challenge the concept of beauty? The Beauty in Decay is an international open call for photographers ages 18 and older. ​​​​​​​All forms of two-dimensional images, traditional and non-conventional media, and conventional or alternative photographic processes with a subjective analog or digital photographic base are welcome for submission.

Submission Deadline: January 20th, 2026
Juror Notifications: January 27th, 2026
Format: Online Exhibition
Exhibition: February 1st, 2026 - March 1st, 2026

Terms of Entry

All entrants, by their submission, attest that the images submitted are their work and there has been no copyright infringement of any artist, living or deceased. All submissions must be original and completed by the artist’s hand. Submitting work created by or otherwise altered with artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited.

Selection and Exhibition

The Curator, Director, and Juror(s) will select approximately 35 images for exhibition in The Chateau's Online Gallery (TCG). TCG's management system (CRM) creates an entrant profile and categorizes submissions into themes upon successful submission. You will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of a successful submission. Submissions will be stored in the CRM "digital flat file" for one year for consideration in the current and future exhibitions.

Jurying Process

Jurors for TCG are a rotating assortment of past exhibitors, curators, editors, and members of various fields in the arts and culture sector. We believe in a "blind" jury process in which the juror is unaware of the photographer's identity. The selection process is based solely on the image and its title. Providing an image description is optional but is highly encouraged. TCG will notify entrants by email of the juror's selections.

Selling Your Work (Optional)

While TCG is a commercial gallery, participants may list their work as Not for Sale (NFS). However, participants are strongly encouraged to price their work. Once priced, TCG's agent will promptly contact a participant regarding any purchase inquiry. TCG will retain a 30% commission on any work sold through TCG and its agents.

Copyright and Usage

You retain all rights to your work at all times. You grant TCG the non-exclusive right to reproduce your image in the exhibition catalog, on our website, and for extensive promotion on social media (with proper attribution whenever possible). We will always credit you wherever feasible. You have the option to rescind this agreement in writing at any time.

Submission Fee

An entry fee of $15 USD is required and necessary to support our advertising campaigns, promotional materials, and various administrative costs. We offer merit-based and hardship fee waivers to citizens in a state of war or unrest, and those living in a country with a low economic index. If you require a waiver to submit your work, please get in touch with us through our contact form or by email, requesting a fee waiver.

Entry Form Instructions | Frequently Asked Questions

• You may submit up to (3) images per entry. You may submit more than one entry.

• There is no size or production year restriction for submitted images.

• Please list your print dimensions in inches or centimeters. (If something is not for sale, then you do not need to provide this information.)

• Please name your images in the following format: firstname_lastname_title-01.jpeg.

• Please upload your files with a minimum of 1200 pixels on the longest side and a minimum size of 500kb.

• Contact us if you need help or have any questions, and we’ll get back to you shortly.