Photo Curation for Photography Awards

Curated by Dimpy Bhalotia

Most photographers aren’t their own best editors or curators. Your strongest photos are often not the ones you submit.

I know this with certainty. I have judged 20+ international awards and have personally won 24+ awards worldwide.

Time and again, I’ve seen photographers show stronger work on their websites, Instagram, and socials than what they submit to awards. And I want to help change that. The photos they showcase every day are often far stronger than the ones they put forward for awards. Yet, in the pressure of choosing, they often miss their most powerful work to submit.

This is where my experience as both a judge and an award-winning photographer comes in. I have seen what captures attention, what holds power in a blind jury room, and what gets lost in the flood of thousands of entries. I know what judges look for because I’ve been on both sides — as a photographer competing and as a juror evaluating.

That’s why I created Photo Curation for Photography Awards — a way for you to gain absolute clarity on your strongest work before you submit to awards and grants. With my eye guiding your selection, you can confidently put forward the photos that carry the highest chance of being shortlisted or winning.

How It Works

It’s very simple:

  • You upload up to 50 photographs — the ones you believe are strong, the ones you love, and even the ones you’re unsure about. (You can submit 20, 30, or any number up to 50. It’s not necessary to submit all 50.)

  • I will carefully study them and curate your Top 6.

  • You’ll receive notes on all 6 photographs, explaining why they stand out in a blind judging process.

This curation for photography awards ensures that the work you submit to awards is your absolute strongest. In almost all cases, judging is blind. The jury doesn’t know your name, background, or story. Your photo must speak for itself alongside thousands of others. Only the strength of the image matters. With my curation, you can submit with confidence, knowing you’re putting forward the images most likely to be noticed, shortlisted, and celebrated.

Disclaimer: This curation does not guarantee shortlisting or winning; it will give you precise clarity on your strongest work and a clear path to refine your portfolio.

Why Trust This Curation

Every selection is personally curated by Dimpy Bhalotia — internationally acclaimed street photographer, winner of 24+ global awards, and judge of 20+ international awards.

Her photograph “Flying Boys” won the Grand Prize at IPPAWARDS. Apple CEO Tim Cook called the results of this award "extraordinary" and applauded the photographers' "outstanding work" on twitter. According to L'Officiel, "Flying Boys is now the most famous photograph." She has served as President of the Art Directors Club Photography Jury (103rd Annual Awards, The One Club for Creativity) and continues to shape photography at an international level.

Dimpy’s work has been exhibited in more than 15 countries and featured in global media including The Washington Post, Forbes, The Guardian, National Geographic, Adobe, BBC News, and more. She is also the founder and curator of Pure Street Photography (PSP), a global community of photographers with over 221K followers.

When your photos are curated here, you benefit from Dimpy’s experience, discernment, and insight into what stands out in awards judging.

Pricing

50 photos → $100

  • You submit 50 photos — I study, evaluate, and curate them into your strongest Top 6. Each of the 6 photos comes with notes to you via email, so you understand exactly why they stand out in a blind judging process. I will not retouch or alter your images. This process is about curation and selection, not post-processing. However, if I feel a photo would benefit from a crop or slight reframing, I will suggest it in my notes. (All selections are personally curated by Dimpy Bhalotia.)

FAQs

Q: Who will curate my photographs?

A: All curations are done personally by Dimpy Bhalotia — an internationally award-winning photographer and experienced juror. You can learn more on her website https://www.dimpybhalotia.com and wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimpy_Bhalotia

Q: Will you edit my photographs (colour grading/crop/toning)?

A: No. I will not retouch or alter your images. This process is about curation and selection, not post-processing. However, if I feel a photo could benefit from a crop or slight reframing, I will mention it in my notes.

Q: Can you focus only on a specific award (e.g., Award X)?

A: Yes. Just let me know in your intake, and I will tailor the curation with that award in mind.

Q: How will I receive my Top 6?

A: You will receive your Top 6 photographs along with written notes on each one, explaining why they are strong in a blind judging process. All notes will be delivered by email.


Q: How long will it take to receive my results?

A: You will receive your results within 3 to 7 working days.

If you need a faster turnaround, an express option is available for an additional fee. Please email us at purestreetphotography@proton.me for details.


Q: Is there a guarantee that my photos will be shortlisted or win an award?

A: No. Curation does not guarantee a shortlisting or win. However, it will give you absolute clarity on your strongest work and significantly improve your chances of being noticed.


Q: What is blind judging?

A: In most photography awards, judging is done blind — this means the jury does not know your name, background, or story. They only see the photographs, without any identifying details. Your work is judged purely on its strength, impact, and storytelling, side by side with thousands of other entries.

Q: Do I have to submit all 50 photos?

A: No. You can submit 20–50 photos. The more range you share, the better I can evaluate your strongest work.


Q: What file formats do you accept?

A: JPEG is recommended. High-resolution images are preferred so I can study the details closely.


Q: Will my photographs remain private?

A: Yes. Your images will remain private and will never be shared or published without your permission.