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"At a time when everything is so sure, and so certain, where is the place for ambiguity, absurdity, and arbitrariness that comes with our desires and with our bodies that are unruly?" – Charan Singh
How does the body interact with its surroundings, to challenge power structures and inspire social imagination?
How can the body act as a site of resistance and assert the power of self-definition?
How do we witness the body as a site of personal and collective memory?
This call for photographs is inspired by Autograph’s current exhibitions, offering multiple perspectives on the body in relation to queer, indigenous, diasporic and feminist politics and practices. We’re inviting you to join the conversation by sending us your image(s) and a short text caption to accompany the work.
Your photo submission could be an image you took in the past, a new work, a selfie or photos from your family album. You don’t need to own a fancy camera or be a professional artist to take part!
We welcome submissions from people of all ages, based anywhere in the world. Our panel of judges will select their favourites to feature in a new online gallery on Autograph's website. Your image may also be shared on our social media and with press.
You can submit up to three photos. Please do not submit work featuring full frontal nudity as we will not be able to share this work through our digital platforms.
Selected images will feature on Autograph's website and social media. Works will be shortlisted by a panel of judges including:
Since the 1990s, Eileen Perrier has used photographic portraiture to forge connections between people, acknowledging the profound value of being seen. A retrospective of her work, A Thousand Small Stories, is currently on display at Autograph.
Dianne is a London-based visual
artist. Her exhibition, Belonging and Beyond, is currently on display at Autograph and uses photography to explore how vulnerability and discomfort in front of the camera can become acts of self-discovery and collaboration.
Livvy manages Autograph's learning and digital engagement programmes. They edit and commission text and images for Autograph's website and have a particular interest in programming around queer identity and disability justice issues.
Self-portraiture allows an artist to explore their identity, and the ways in which their body is (or isn’t) represented in society. The question of how to represent the self is one that photographers often come back to and self-portraiture was chosen as the first theme to be addressed by an Autograph exhibition – 'Autoportraits' – in 1990.
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Self-portraiture allows an artist to explore their identity, and the ways in which their body is (or isn’t) represented in society. The question of how to represent the self is one that photographers often come back to and self-portraiture was chosen as the first theme to be addressed by an Autograph exhibition – 'Autoportraits' – in 1990.
Self-portraiture allows an artist to explore their identity, and the ways in which their body is (or isn’t) represented in society. The question of how to represent the self is one that photographers often come back to and self-portraiture was chosen as the first theme to be addressed by an Autograph exhibition – 'Autoportraits' – in 1990.
How many pictures can I submit?
You can submit a maximum of 3 photographs.
Is there a word limit for the text caption?
Yes, accompanying text captions need to be written in English and will be limited to 600 characters maximum.
Do I have to be based in the UK to take part?
No! We are accepting submissions from people based anywhere in the world.
Is there an age limit?
No, but if you're under 16, you will need to have a parent or legal guardian's permission to take part in our call for photographs. Your parent or guardian will need to support your submission and provide their own contact information and personal details to complete the submission. Autograph will contact your parent or guardian to consent on your behalf to the terms and conditions of the call for photographs.
Are there any image specifications?
Submissions must be in a digital format but the image does not need to have been originally taken on a digital camera. High-quality scans are also acceptable. Digital files must be a minimum of 1200 pixels along the longest side.
Will I retain the copyright for my work if selected?
Copyright for any images you submit will remain with you. We will credit all images with your name and sign off all captioning information with you before sharing the work publicly.
Will you provide feedback if I'm not selected?
We are a small team and we are not able to offer individual feedback for applicants who are not successful. Often the reason we’re not able to support your work is due to our limited capacity rather than the quality of your submission so please don’t be disheartened and feel free to engage with our future open calls.
Can I submit images that have already been published or exhibited elsewhere?
Yes!
I have an unanswered question, how can I contact you?
Get in touch with us by emailing info@autograph-abp.co.uk
By entering the Call for Photographs you are accepting the following:
1. Usage rights: By submitting your work, you grant Autograph the right to display the selected photographs for promotional use about the project, including on Autograph’s website, social media, advertising and in press.
2. Data consent: You allow Autograph to collect, process, store, and use your personal data (name and email) for this photo call. You can access, correct, or delete your data anytime by emailing info@autograph-abp.co.uk
3. Model releases: You have obtained permission from any individuals depicted in your photographs, and have model release forms where required. For images of children aged under 18, a release form signed by a parent or legal guardian is necessary to enter this call for photos. An example of a model release form is available here.
4. Ethical considerations: Ensure your photos respect ethical guidelines to protect vulnerable individuals. We recommend reviewing the standards of the National Press Photographers Association and UNICEF for reporting on children.
5. Digital alterations: Any use of AI in your images must be declared with your submission. If you have digitally altered the representation of people or events in your images, this must be declared in the caption.
6. Credit line: All photographs used by Autograph will include your name and credit line. Any inadvertent omission of this credit line by Autograph will not be considered a breach of the terms of the call for photographs.
7. Liability: You acknowledge that Autograph is not responsible for and will not be held liable for any misuse of your images.
8. Working agreement: The successful applicant/s will receive a working agreement for the use of their images, outlining further details on the above.
7 Oct 2026 – 13 Feb 2027
A free exhibition featuring the work of three artists exploring the intersections of indigenous knowledge and feminist thought
7 Oct 2026 - 13 Feb 2027
A free exhibition examining how South Asian queer narratives have been obscured, omitted and reshaped by colonial legacies
This Call for Photographs is programmed to coincide with the exhibitions Our Bodies Have Been Bridges and Charan Singh: Your Tongue In My Mouth which are supported using public funding from Arts Council England.
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Autograph is a space to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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