1.  How does this work?

It's easy! First, review our Current Opportunities. Then become a member. We charge a fee so that we can pay our staff a minimal fee to do a portfolio review with you (valued at $300). Candidates are reviewed with these criteria in mind. Candidates who are shortlisted may be contacted for an interview. Maximum one photographer and one videographer are selected per project. All members will be contacted when a selection has been made. 

2. What happens if I'm selected? 

If you are selected, a member of our team will notify you by email and you will be given further instructions from there. You will be onboarded to the program after which you will be introduced to your dedicated Producer, who will give you a fundraising page and a welcome package. 

3.  What happens if I'm not selected? 

Have you had your portfolio reviewed yet? Members are entitled to an annual review, so don't be shy! There may be ways of improving your portfolio and experience so we can get you to the top of the list. Keep in mind that we are trying to match hundreds of members with a limited number of annual projects. We completed over 50 unique projects this year and plan to do even more next year!

4. What's PWB's impact?

PWB has completed over 130 projects in over 35 countries, and our photographers and videographers have raised over $100,000, covering project-related expenses through online fundraising. 

5. How many images are required for the project?

PWB requires the best selection of your work. The number of images depends on the length of time you spend working in country and the scale of the project. Typically projects last from 1 to 2 weeks, however some projects have lasted up to 2 months. After the project is completed, photographers are expected to submit a finalized selection of 200+ images with metadata.

 6. How do I submit my photos after the project and in what format? 

We expect images/video to be sent via Dropbox or mailed to us on a flash drive or hard drive. Our Dropbox email is: info@photographerswithoutborders.org

7. Who has copyright over the photos that I take for the project?

The photographer/videographer grants PWB and the partner organization an unlimited, royalty-free license to their images/video. After the project you are free to do use the images as you please (i.e. hold an exhibition, include them in your portfolio, or add to your website, etc.).

8. Who will pick me up at the host country's airport?

Every photographer/videographer is assigned an In-Country Coordinator who will arrange everything you need for your trip including airport pickup and drop off.

9. When will I receive my project schedule?

Your Producer will arrange your project schedule once your availability is confirmed by email. Please take into consideration that every host organization’s work culture and administrative processes are different. 

10. What kind of accommodation can I expect? 

Accommodations can range from basic hotels to homestays. We expect our storytellers to be prepared for accommodations that may be more basic in nature as we aim to foster an immersive cultural experience. 

11. How do you choose your partner organizations? 

We select organizations that work on a diverse array of issues based on these criteria.

12. Why aren't there specific dates for projects?

We understand photographers have busy lives and so we want to be sure our programs are flexible enough to accommodate schedules. There are also times we try to send videographers with photographers and so we need to have flexible dates to coordinate both schedules. In addition, in the event of virus outbreaks or change of political circumstances in-country, project dates may have to be delayed. Photographers must be flexible with timelines as a result.

13.  What are my obligations to PWB if I get selected?

You are obligated to send us 200+ high res copies of your best work, with metadata, in JPEG or TIFF format within 14 days of completing your project. Copyright is shared between the Photographer, PWB and the partner organization, however we do require that images selected for our magazine are not published until the magazine is issued (6-8 images per project). Photographers are asked to submit a 600-800 word article to accompany your images. Photographers must also sign a contract, waiver, health information release form, and agree to our ethical photography guidelines.

14.  Does PWB abide by ethical photography standards?

Yes we do. All of our photographers must abide by these ethics guidelines.

15.  When do I know when a photographer/videographer has been selected?

All of our members are added to different communication lists; please be sure to check your spam upon becoming a member and make sure emails from @photographerswithoutborders.org are allowed. If you're properly signed up and our emails aren't going to spam, then you will receive our communications with no problem! These regular communications will let you know when a project has been added to the Current Opportunities or when a project has been successfully assigned.

16.  Where do I find information about program fees?

You can find this information at the bottom of each project page. General information is provided here.

17.  Why aren't the organization/charity names on the project pages?

PWB does not disclose organization/charity names until a photographer is selected and formally commits to a project. We disclose all relevant organization details on each project page. All of our partner organizations fulfill these criteria.

18.  Does PWB insure equipment?

Our photographers and videographers are responsible for insuring their own equipment and it is highly recommended.

19.  What does the program fee cover? What does it not cover?

Details about program fees (what it includes/does not include) are outlined here.

20. Will I need to travel for my pre-departure training (for selected applicants)?

There will be no travel involved for your training. Training will be done virtually or over the telephone with the PWB Program Manager no later than 2 weeks prior to departure.

21. are most of PWB's projects in developing countries?

No. We use our limited resources to help organizations that are struggling the most. We operate anywhere on the planet as long as a need is demonstrated.

Couldn't find an answer to your question? Contact us at info@photographerswithoutborders.org