The Exhibition

Not the easy kind. Not the posed smile or the perfect moment. We're talking about the joy that surprises you — that shows up in an ordinary afternoon, in a stranger's face, in light falling just right on something nobody else noticed.

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Something Like Joy invites photographers to submit work that finds delight, warmth, wonder, or beauty in the world as it actually is. Big celebrations and quiet moments are equally welcome. So is the complicated happiness that comes after hardship — the laugh through tears, the small victory, the unexpected gift.

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If your photography looks for the good — in people, in places, in everyday life — this call is for you.

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Juror: TBA

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Awards

$1,000 in total cash awards, plus a solo exhibition feature for First Place.

• First Place: $500 + Solo Exhibition on the Decagon Gallery website

• Second Place: $250

• Third Place: $150

• Two Honorable Mentions: $50 each

• Human Presence Nomination: Free entry to a future Decagon open call

All selected photographers receive inclusion in the curated exhibition, a dedicated exhibition page, Instagram feature, and inclusion in the printed catalog.

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How to Submit

$25 entry fee for up to 4 photographs. $5 each additional photograph. Open to photographers worldwide. All photographic processes and styles welcome.

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Submit JPGs sized to 2100 pixels on the long side, without text, watermarks, or borders.

Preferably under 4 mb.

Name files: First Name-Last Name_Title.jpg

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Photographers retain all rights, including copyright, to their photographs. We will never distribute your photographs to anyone without your permission.