Summary
- VSCO will select 50 photographers, one from every U.S.
- state.
- Selected work will be licensed, compensated, and displayed on billboards or other large-format public installations.
- Entry is free and open to photographers aged 18 or older who reside in the United States.
- VSCO recommends submitting three to five images and requires photographers to hold the necessary rights and releases.
- The submission deadline is September 10, 2026.
VSCO has launched The Fifty, an open call that will select 50 U.S. photographers for compensated displays of their work on billboards and other large-format public installations.
The company plans to choose one photographer from each of the 50 U.S. states, with selected work licensed and compensated by VSCO for use in the campaign. Entry is free, and submissions close on September 10, 2026.
The initiative is notable because it moves photographic work from a digital platform into large-scale public spaces while also including licensing and compensation for creators. According to VSCO, billboard exposure may also lead to editorial features, curation, and additional licensing opportunities.
One photographer from every state
The program is called The Fifty and is built around selecting 50 creators, representing all 50 U.S. states. VSCO says it is looking for strong, impactful photographs with stories extending beyond the frame and work capable of making viewers stop and look more closely.
The idea behind the campaign is that photographers can produce meaningful work and develop their careers regardless of where they are based in the country, documenting communities, significant moments, and different perspectives on everyday life.
How to submit
Photographers must post their images on VSCO using #TheFifty together with the hashtag corresponding to their state of residence. The company also asks for a short caption explaining the image or series and for photographers to include their state in their VSCO profile bio.
VSCO recommends submitting three to five photographs, particularly when they form a cohesive series. When recognizable people appear in the images, photographers must have the necessary model releases available.
The open call is available to photographers aged 18 and older who reside in the United States. For photographers based outside the U.S., VSCO says other opportunities are planned for the future.
What happens to the selected photographs
Selected photographers will be asked to provide a high-resolution version of their image suitable for large-format printing. VSCO notes that display formats may vary by state, meaning not every photograph is guaranteed to appear on a conventional billboard. Alternative large-format displays, posters, or public installations may be used in some locations.
PetaPixel cites a 48-by-14-foot billboard, approximately 14.6 by 4.3 meters, as an example of the scale at which the selected photography could be displayed.
Selected images may also appear in VSCO editorial features, curated collections, and additional licensing opportunities.
Rights and the selection process
Participants must own the rights to the images they submit and hold any necessary permissions relating to people or other rights associated with the content. Submitting an image does not guarantee selection, publication, or use.
VSCO also says selected photographers may be asked to sign an additional release or licensing agreement. Although the company states that the work of selected photographers will be compensated, the public open call does not specify the amount of compensation.
VSCO’s Curation Team will review every submission and notify selected photographers on a rolling basis. Their names will also be announced on the company’s blog.
You can find more here.
What we think
The Fifty stands out because it combines large-scale public exposure with licensing and compensation for photographic work rather than relying solely on the promise of visibility. For the creators ultimately selected, one of the most significant factors will be the exact terms of the licensing agreement and the scope of permitted uses, details that are not fully outlined in the public open call.
Frequently asked questions
Who can enter VSCO The Fifty?
The open call is available to photographers aged 18 or older who reside in the United States. One photographer will be selected from each state.
Is there an entry fee?
No. VSCO explicitly states that no purchase or payment is required to submit photographs.
When is the deadline?
The submission deadline is September 10, 2026.
How many photographs should be submitted?
VSCO recommends submitting three to five images, particularly when they belong to a cohesive photographic series.
Will the selected photographers be paid?
Yes. VSCO says the work of the 50 selected photographers will be licensed and compensated, although the open call does not specify a compensation amount.
