Strong photos are one of the most important parts of your application.
When applications are closely matched, photo quality is often the deciding factor. Your images are used not only for selection, but also for marketing the show. Poor photos can hold back even excellent work.
Why Your Photos Matter
The visual quality of your application can significantly influence your chances of being selected.
Even when work is strong, unclear or poorly presented images can make it difficult to properly evaluate and promote your work. A well-presented application gives your work the best opportunity to stand out.
What We’re Looking For
- Clear, well-lit images that accurately represent your work
- A cohesive body of work that is easy to understand at a glance
- A display setup that looks organized and professional
Applications are often very close in quality. Strong photos help tip the balance.
Photo Tips
Lighting
- Use natural light whenever possible
- Avoid dark, dull, or heavily shadowed images
Good lighting shows true colour, detail, and texture. Poor lighting can make even strong work appear flat or unclear.
Focus on the Product
- Show one product or a cohesive group of similar items
- Avoid collage images
Collages make it difficult to properly assess your work and are often unusable for marketing.
Clean Composition
- Keep backgrounds simple and uncluttered
- Avoid distracting props or busy patterns
A clean background ensures the focus stays on your work, not the surroundings.
Show the Full Product
- Ensure the entire item is visible
- Do not crop off important parts
We need to clearly see the full piece to understand scale, shape, and function.
Product Presentation
- Feature each product clearly, or keep groupings minimal and consistent
- Avoid mixing unrelated items in one image
Clear, focused images help us understand your product line quickly.
Consistent Framing
- Use a standard aspect ratio
- Avoid unusual crops or awkward framing
Consistent framing ensures your work displays properly across different formats and uses.
Minimal Text
- Do not include text overlays or promotional graphics
- A small logo or watermark is acceptable
Text and graphics can distract from the work and limit how images can be used for promotion.
Display Photos Matter
Your display photo helps us understand how your booth will look at the show.
- Use a photo from a previous show if possible
- If not, provide a clear example of how you plan to display your work
- Keep your display clean, organized, and easy to navigate
Even excellent work can be overlooked if the display appears cluttered or unclear.
Consider Display Contrast and Background
- Ensure your products stand out from your display
- Avoid dark products on dark table coverings
- Avoid overly busy or distracting backgrounds
Your work should be immediately visible and easy to understand at a glance.
Keep Your Work Current
Submitting the same photos year after year will negatively impact your application and may affect your chances of being selected.
We are looking for current work that reflects what you will be bringing to the show. If your photos do not show anything new, it limits both our ability to evaluate your application and to promote your work.
Updated work and images help demonstrate growth, consistency, and what shoppers can expect to see at your booth.
AI and Image Authenticity
All submitted images must be real photos of your work.
- Basic editing is acceptable
- AI-generated or altered images that recreate or modify the product are not permitted
- Images must accurately represent what customers will receive
This ensures fairness and maintains trust with the public.