The vfg Young Talent Award for Photography is an annual competition honouring ten projects to be presented in a catalogue and shown at several exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad during the year. The winner receives a cash prize of CHF 5000 sponsored by Keystone SDA, two runners-up receive non-cash prizes. The award is organized by the vfg (Association of Photographic Designers). We stand for creative professional photography. Our primary goal is to stimulate the discussion about the photographic image and to promote professional photography in all areas. Eligible are participants with Swiss citizenship and/or with residence in Switzerland at the time of submission. The jury is looking forward to seeing well edited authentic work from all fields of photography.

Juror information

Nadine Barth, Director, barthouse culture concepts and Consulting Editor for Photography Art Books, Hatje Cantz

Anne Immelé, Photographer and Artistic Director, Mulhouse Biennial of Photography

Christian Lutz, Photographer

Sascha Renner, Deputy Director, Fotostiftung Schweiz

Stephan Schacher, Photographer

What is the vfg Young Swiss Talent Award?
The vfg Young Swiss Talent Award is an annual photography competition. Every year we are looking for talented young Swiss photographers to support them and give them a platform to present and publish their work.

What happens if I win?
The top ten projects are going to be exhibited and presented to a wide audience in several cities in Switzerland and Germany and are going to be published in our professionally designed annual catalogue.

When is the Call for Entry?
Once a year, usually in February.

What does a submission cost?
The submission fee is CHF 50 for each uploaded project.

Is there an age limit?
You can submit before your 39th birthday.

Can I submit work that has been realized in collaboration with someone else?
Yes. You can submit as a team.

Is there a theme?
There is no given theme.

How are finalists and winners selected?
A professional jury choses the best 10 projects from all submissions and determines the three winners.

Who is in the jury?
The jury consists of internationally respected professionals and experts in the field of art and commerce, among them photographers, gallerists, curators, etc. There is new jury every year.

When do I know if my work has been selected by the jury?
Shortlisted photographers will be contacted once the shortlist is ready, usually early June. After the jury has made their final decision, finalists are contacted directly, immediately after the jurying.

Can I submit work that has been awarded before?
Yes. However, if your project made it into the top ten of this competition in a former year it is not eligible.

What can my submitted images be used for?
Every year the vfg Young Talent Award for Photography honours ten works from all entries, which are presented in a catalogue and shown at several exhibitions in Switzerland and abroad during the year. Finalists’ projects will be archived on our website, may be posted on Facebook and Instagram and may be printed on invitations promoting our exhibitions.