Tampa Photography Blog

POYi launched a new program that will help aspiring documentary photographers make their dreams come true.

The basic requirements are to propose a new project focused on documentary work, be an emerging photographer (not a full-time professional) and be willing to work on the project for a full year.

The part I love the most about this program is that there are no age limitations. So, this grant of $10,000 could go to an 18-year-old enrolled in college or a 65-year-old retiree. As long as you have a strong proposal and a passion for the subject you want to document, you can apply.

POYi Director Rick Shaw explained how this could change someone’s life, "So if someone is a security guard, and their whole hope was to become a documentary photographer, but they're not able to get a foothold because of the current publishing climate and economic realities, this incentive would do it."

The University of Missouri and Pictures of the Year International have a long history of being synonymous with photographic excellence. The Missouri School of Journalism was founded on 1908 as the “world’s first school of journalism.” They produce award-winning photojournalists year after year, most of which enter and sometimes win the POYi contest. The contest is in its 67^th year and is still going strong.

If you’ve ever had a desire to explore and document a social issue but didn’t have the time or money, this program is your chance to make it happen.

The application fee is only $20 and the deadline is May 31, 2010.

To read about the details of the program, click here.

To apply, click here.