OPEN CALL: DEAR DAVE, FELLOWSHIPS
DEAR DAVE, FELLOWSHIP 2026 FAQ
What is Dear Dave, magazine? DEAR DAVE, is a tri-annual print publication of photography and writing, published since 2007. It celebrates a community of visual thinking, with affection and humor, and publishes idiosyncratic and original work that is deserving of further recognition. DEAR DAVE, is interested in the most unpredictable work of all genres and sensibilities. The magazine was founded by photographer and educator and writer Stephen Frailey as a way to recognize the full sweep of photographic activity, regardless of genre and purpose, and to publish portfolios and writing of emergent voices. Frailey has said that he is guided by “work that is original and that has the potential to re-arrange one’s thinking and expectations of the medium.” DEAR DAVE, was named the photography magazine of the year by the Lucie Foundation in 2018.
Why have we created a Fellowship? The DEAR DAVE, Fellowship will allow us to continue to discover new work that is relevant and original and will help to shape the future of the medium. The Fellowship will also introduce work to a carefully selected jury who are at the foreground of the conversation, and thus assist in their future curatorial and publishing projects.
Why is it called a Fellowship? In addition to the opportunity to have one’s work published, we would also like the three chosen to be engaged with the Dave, community, and continued conversations about the medium and our future.
Why are we charging for submissions? Because of our renowned printing quality, the magazine is expensive to produce and thus makes no profit. We remain committed to print, rather than digital. The submission fee will pay for administrative expenses.
What is required to enter? A body of work and eighteen dollars.
How can I sign up for a Picter account? To sign up, please visit Picter.com
What are the specs for uploading images? Images must be at least 3000 pixels on the longest side and saved as a JPEG file. Other file types such as TIFF, PNG, and PSD are not permissible. If you continue to have issues uploading your images or completing your submission, please visit the Picter help center or e-mail the Picter support team at support@picter.com.
Can I submit fewer than the required twenty images in the competition? You will need to submit a minimum of ten images. The jurors are expecting to see a portfolio and thus a commitment to a set of ideas. We will not accept submissions that contain fewer than ten images.
Will submitting work that has already been published or exhibited affect my chances of winning a Fellowship? Previous exposure will not affect your chances at all.
Could I edit my portfolio once it has already been submitted? Yes, you can edit your submission up until the deadline. To do so, log in to your Picter account and click the “Submission” tab at the top of the screen. Under “Completed” you should see your submission. Click “edit” at the top of the page to edit your submission.
Can I submit more than one portfolio? Yes, but it will qualify as a separate entry and an additional fee.
If I live outside the continental United States, am I still eligible for entry? Indeed, applicants living anywhere in the world are eligible for entry and we are particularly interested in a global range of sensibilities.
What happens to work that is chosen for the Fellowship? Once the three entrants have been chosen by the jury, they will be contacted by the Editor. The three will be published in DEAR DAVE, magazine.
Those 40 who have received the higest ranking by the jury will have their portfolios featured on the DEAR DAVE, website.