Call for Submissions: Real vs Imagined, photoED Magazine

International Call for Photography

photoED magazine’s Contrasts trilogy concludes with the Real vs Imagined edition

Submission Deadline: September 18, 2026

Blurred lines best describe photoED magazine’s 2026 year trilogy of editions. In the Order vs. Chaos issue, it was anticipated that photographers’ contributions would have a polarity that defined order and chaos separately. It turned out that, behind the scenes, the practice of producing crowded, busy, layered works was a way for artists to simplify, dissect, and find order and calm in our increasingly busy world. Meanwhile, some of the simplest compositions were layered with intensity and underlying chaos. Ultimately, there could be no clear division. The Home vs Away edition offers readers a similar experience posing questions about what Home truly means, and Away as a place of transition.

In these print-first editions, photoED magazine flips the script on the readers experience. From the cover, the publication opens as usual but concludes in the middle. Flip the print edition on its back to find another beginning, a different entry point, through a second cover.

As we live in a time where what we see on omni-present screens isn’t clearly fact or fiction entirely, the Real vs Imagined issue looks to further challenge viewers and play in the space in-between.

photoED magazine is looking to publish – in print and online:

• Well considered submissions – A project/idea crafted with intention
• Fine art – not stock photography
• Original artistic work
• Diverse interpretations on the theme – which may refer to either aspect of the contrast, a reality that may not appear real, a fiction that might appear as fact, or work that blurs these lines.

Submissions from our Calls are blind reviewed by our Volunteer Curatorial Editorial board members. When examining entries, judges assess how the work presents a unique interpretation on the theme.

Selected artists receive:

• Ten selected contributors projects will be published in photoED magazine’s print (and digital replica versions.)
• Selected contributors will receive printed copies of the publication (including shipping worldwide.)
• An additional 25 selected contributors feature in the free Digital EXTRA companion editions.
• All selected contributors receive exposure across photoED magazine’s email campaigns and social media channels.

photoED magazine’s Order vs Chaos edition. Photo of magazine by Marie-Louise Moutafchieva.

Submission Requirements

• 1–8 image files per submission
• Allowed file types: JPG
• At least 2000px on the long edge

Entries are welcome from anyone, worldwide* who makes photographs with intention. Emerging photographers and established professional artists—all are welcome to share their work with us.

How to Submit

Find submission details and links on the photoED magazine website.

Submission Deadline: September 18, 2026

Entry is always Free to our Patreon community members and print subscription readers. To join as a Patreon Patron & receive the publication + perks, visit here. To join as a Print Subscriber, visit here.

The General Submission fee for our Calls for submissions: $20 CAD

If you reside in Canada & would like to enter a Call for Submissions and pre-purchase a single copy of the edition: $30 CAD

If you do not reside in Canada & would like to pre-purchase a single printed copy of the edition + enter a Call for Submissions: $35 CAD

With independent editorial integrity as a guiding principle, submissions by all artists including BIPOC artists, Women, Persons with Disabilities, members of the Deaf Community, and persons living in poverty are warmly welcomed.

Any economically challenged artists may be relieved of payment requirements to ensure we reduce as many barriers as possible we can in celebrating under-valued, under-represented creative work. Please contact the editor with your exemption request: rita@photoed.ca

Take Note:
The photoED team is planning next year’s editions with themes, Objects, Faces, and Places, as the 2027-year trilogy series themes. Feature proposals on these themes are welcome to be sent via a short introduction email to the publisher. Official Calls for these submissions will open by the end of 2026.

photoED magazine’s Home vs Away edition. Photo of magazine by Marie-Louise Moutafchieva.

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Rita Godlevskis, Editor and Publisher
rita@photoed.ca

www.photoeditorial.art

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