Up for grabs will be expert mentorship from a wide range of industry experts, providing a significant opportunity to gain invaluable contacts and exposure and a prize fund to work on a project of personal significance.
The new award is part of the organisations' commitment to supporting new creative talent. David Bailey was one of D&AD's co-founders, so photography is something that runs in our heritage and both organisations are excited to be able to give someone their big break.
A panel of nine, plus Oliviero Toscani, photographer as a guest judge, will judge the Award, representing a broad cross-section of the industry:
• Choi Liu, Creative & Portfolio Consultant
• Daniel Moorey, Head of Print, adam&eveDDB
• James Day, Photographer
• James Reid, Photography Director, Wallpaper*
• Jefferson Hack, Editorial Director, Dazed Group
• Johanna Neurath, Design Director, Thames & Hudson
• Miles Aldridge, Photographer
Saunders says, "We are delighted to partner with D&AD and are looking forward to discovering fresh and inspiring talent - that is, a photographer who has the ability to tell a story visually with unique and creative vision, outstanding technique and originality. This is no mean feat and we are excited to see the creative and innovative work the competition will unveil."
Thomson commented, "The Next series is an exciting development at D&AD. Creatives can now start new careers at all stages of life and these awards allow us to find and recognise new and emerging talent - with a real opportunity to kick-start their careers with mentoring and guidance from some of the industry's best."
To enter, new photographers will be asked to submit three images, from either a series or pieces produced individually. There is no theme, no age limit and unlike the D&AD Professional Awards, entries do not have to be commercially released to be eligible. Entrants must be out of full time education and have no more than three years of editorial or advertising industry experience as a photographer.
The Next Photographer Award will produce two shortlists, one in November 2014 and one in March 2015, with one entry allowed per entrant, per deadline. The overall winner will be picked from the two shortlists and announced at the D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony in May 2015.
Additional benefits of winning include a coveted D&AD Pencil, a prize fund from Getty Images to pursue a project of personal significance, plus tickets and flights to the D&AD Professional Awards Ceremony. For more information, go to www.dandad.org/en/next-photographer-award.
