16 - 29 October 2026, 2nd Ed.

 

Chester Photo Festival 

Making Voices Heard

 

Let's explore photography through myths, feelings, memories and personal stories.

 

Open call open on 1st December 2026!

 

  • FREE ENTRIES up to 5 works per participant.

  • First come, first served!

 

I. Early entries deadline: 15th May or when 200 works have been selected.

  • Only if your work is selected, we will ask for an early entry participation fee of £45 per work to cover the exhibition costs.

 

II. Late entries deadline: 15th June or when 300 works have been selected.

  • Only if your work is selected, we will ask for a late entry participation fee of £60 per work.

 

  • We'll do our best to fit in extra work, but it depends on space, curatorial plans, and logistics. 

  • Suitable for everyone at all levels of experience.

 

  • Step 1: Prepare up to 5 JPEG files at 300 dpi, with the shortest side at least 5 inches (see details below).

  • Step 2: Send your files via our form below. Alternatively, for non-standard entries, please email us directly at events@chesterphotofestival.com.

  • Step 3: Notifications will be sent by 30th July 2026 for early entries and by 30 August 2026 for late entries. 

  • You will only be notified if your work is selected.

Name *
E-mail *
Phone number
Bio. No more than 200 words *
Up to 5 JPEG images, Surname_01, ..Surname_05 *

Max file size (Mb): 20

Max number of files: 1

Word document, Title, Date and Statement 100 words for each image *

Max file size (Mb): 3

Max number of files: 1

Message. (Please feel free to provide additional details.)
 

Share your story through photography at Chester's 2026 Festival!

  • Chester Photo Festival seeks to celebrate the democratisation of photography as an art, enabling photographers at all levels of experience to innovate through networking and create with exhibition spaces in Chester.

  • ​​​​​​Imagine a photography practice that empowers you to re-imagine your memories, myths, and childhood through exploring photography. 

  • Imagine why a photography practice can shape the narrative of your story and your message. 

  • Moving beyond aesthetics and techniques, let's focus on your own voice through your photography practice. 

(More details about photography topics and photo-entanglement can be found on our website, especially in the ‘Courses and Workshops’ and ‘About’ sections.)

 

If your work is selected, you will be invited to participate in our upcoming events:

 

  • IMPORTANT:

  • All the dates and the event programme will be confirmed by the end of August 2026.

  • The main event is expected from 16 to 18 October 2026, Friday to Sunday (programme TBC).

 

  • On-site exhibitions, talks and workshops: Starting from 16th October 2026.

  • Hangout place for meeting the artists, 16-18 October 2026. (location TBC)

 

  • Exhibitions will take place at various locations across Chester City Centre.

  • The curatorial team will select the works and spaces to work together. This will depend on both the participants' works and the organisational process.

  • Possible locations: Castlefield Gallery New Art Spaces Chester, University of Chester, St Werburgh's Church, St John's Church, Chester Picturehouse, Grosvenor Museum (locations TBC).

  • Other locations within Chester City Centre will also be considered, depending on the curatorial and selection process.

  • All the participants' works will be included in the Exhibition Book, Chester Photo Festival 2026 2nd Ed and published in the UK. (see previous book of the 1st edition, May 2025)

 

  • We aim to include one or two works per participant.

  • We aim to include a variety of non-standard entries, such as installations, videos, projections, objects on display, larger works, or focused small-group projects. We strongly encourage you to contact us to discuss the curatorial details and participation fee directly with our team.

  • We aim to invite participants to bring their works in.

  •  

How to

Submit Your Work? 

I. Send your work for free

 

  • Submissions are OPEN from 1st December 2025.

  • FREE ENTRIES of up to 5 works by 15th May 2026 for early entries.

  • Via our form below or our email address: events@chesterphotofestival.com.

 

  • For non-standard entries, please contact our team to discuss curatorial details and the participation fee.

  • Alternatively, for late entries by 15 June 2026.

  • We strongly recommend submitting your work as early entries to avoid delays and additional fees.

II. Double-check if your submission includes:

 

  • Up to 5 JPEG images at 300dpi, with the shortest side measuring at least 6 inches.
  • Each JPEG file is named with your surname, e.g., Surname 1.jpeg, Surname 2.jpeg, etc.
  • A separate Word document with no more than 100 words for each work, title, year, and size if applicable.
  • By submitting to the festival, you confirm that you hold full copyright ownership of your submitted work.
  • Finally, participants must state whether AI was used or not in creating the photographs.

 

III. Your work is with us for selection and curatorial process:

 

  • You will only be invited to participate if your work is selected.

  • The selection process may include a curatorial process. If necessary, we will discuss it and agree on specific details about how your work will be displayed, including location, printing, size, medium, or other aspects. 
  • The participation fee per work, up to £45 for early entries or £60 for late entries, includes printing and installing your work in our standard frames, which are approximately 50x40 cm, 50x50 cm, 40x30 cm or 30x30 cm.
  • This is ideal for international submissions or those who prefer to avoid bringing their work, thereby avoiding transport and other costs.

  • Please be aware that extra charges might apply for larger projects or specific installations. We will discuss these during the selection and curation process.

  • Every participant will receive a participation certificate.

  • Every participant's work will be included in the exhibition book and published in the UK by the Chester Photo Festival.

 

Participants' works may be publicly shown and referenced to promote the Chester Photo Festival's exhibitions and activities, including on our website and social media channels.

Yours,

Chester Photo Festival

  • We will always contact you only from our telephone number 07949 066 406 or via our email: events@chesterphotofestival.com 
  • We aim to respond as soon as possible, usually within 1 hour. However, during busy periods or outside of working hours, it may take up to 24 hours for a response.

 

Chester photo festival

 

It was founded in September 2023 and is available to the public from 1st May 2024.

The 2nd edition of the annual Chester Photo Festival is expected to take place in October 2026.