Our Core Values

  • Talent Over Ego: We prioritize artistic expression and creativity over self-promotion.

  • Curated Excellence: Our team selects works that inspire and elevate the art of photography.

  • Inclusivity: DES_Photomag welcomes diverse voices, styles, and perspectives.

  • Apolitical & Non-Divisive: We strive to maintain a neutral, respectful space that fosters unity and inspiration, avoiding political or divisive discourse.

  • Materiality Matters: We honor the tangible beauty of photography through our zines, special projects, and exhibitions.

  • Community Support: All proceeds from magazine sales directly fund the Best of the Year Exhibition, which is free for participating photographers.

  1. By participating in DES_Photomag initiatives, you join a global community dedicated to celebrating the art and craft of photography. Together, let’s inspire and create something extraordinary—one image at a time.

TOP BEST Zine

The Top Best Zine is a carefully curated publication that highlights the 9 best photos submitted by our community on Instagram every month. These selected works are featured on our platform and later compiled into a quarterly limited-edition zine, with just 50 copies per issue available for purchase.

Why Participate?

  • Recognition: Your work will be part of a thoughtfully curated zine celebrated by collectors and enthusiasts.

  • Exhibition Opportunity: All participants featured in the zine are considered for the annual Best of the Year Exhibition in Porto, Portugal, free of any charges.

  • Support a Greater Cause: Proceeds from the zine directly fund the exhibition and help sustain our growing creative community.

How to Participate:

  • Submissions are accepted exclusively through Instagram. Tag your work with @des_photomag or use the appropriate hashtag to be considered.

  • Selected photos are chosen based on their creativity, storytelling, technical mastery, and ability to inspire.

  • Each month’s selections feed into the quarterly magazine, showcasing the best of the DES_Photomag community.

Supporting this initiative not only helps elevate emerging photographers but also ensures the continuation of DES_Photomag’s mission to foster talent and host our free, annual exhibition in Porto.

Special Projects

The Special Projects section offers a platform for photographers to showcase more in-depth and cohesive narratives. These curated projects focus on unique perspectives, artistic coherence, and compelling storytelling, allowing for deeper explorations of photographic artistry.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Submit a detailed concept (100–300 words) describing your project’s theme, narrative, and creative approach.

  • Include 15–25 high-resolution images representing the project’s essence.

  • Provide an artist’s statement about yourself, sharing your inspiration and creative journey.

  • The process of submission will include an online meeting to deeply explore the prospects of your project.

  • Submissions will be reviewed by our team of curators for originality, impact, coherence and technical quality.

  • Approved projects will be edited and sequenced by our editors, if necessary, in collaboration with the authors.

  • Projects should align with DES_Photomag’s ethos of talent over ego and commitment to artistic excellence.

Submissions are reviewed by our curatorial team for originality, impact, and coherence and an online curation meeting will be held to refine and shape the the project alongside our team.
Approved projects are continuosly and collaboratively refined and developed for print or digital publication. A live session on instagram with the author will be broadcasted when the project is launched, giving the community a chance to engage directly with the artist in order to allow for a more immersive experience.

Photo Books

The Books section is dedicated to larger, more ambitious photographic projects that deserve the permanence and prestige of a beautifully crafted publication. This platform provides photographers with the opportunity to present their work in a format that captures their vision in-depth, allowing for immersive storytelling and artistic exploration.

These books are intended for projects that go beyond a series or portfolio, creating a cohesive body of work with a powerful narrative, theme, or creative concept.

Why Submit to the Books Section?

  • Legacy and Reach: Books offer a lasting, tangible medium to showcase your work, reaching both collectors and enthusiasts.

  • Professional Presentation: DES_Photomag collaborates with talented designers and publishers to ensure high-quality results.

  • Community and Support: A portion of book sales supports the DES_Photomag initiative, including our annual Best of the Year Exhibition.

Submission Guidelines:

  1. Project Concept: Provide a comprehensive proposal (500–800 words) detailing the project’s purpose, central theme, and creative approach. Highlight why the project fits the book format.

  2. Image Selection: Submit a minimum of 30–70 high-resolution images that represent the project’s scope and coherence. A complete draft of all proposed content is highly encouraged.

  3. Vision for the Book: Share your ideas for the book’s structure, including potential sections, sequencing, and any desired supplementary material (e.g., essays, poetry, or design elements).

  4. Artist Statement: Include a personal statement reflecting your journey, creative philosophy, and what inspired the project.

  5. Format Preferences (Optional): If you have specific ideas about the book’s format (size, materials, or binding), feel free to include them for consideration.

Curation and Development:
Submissions will be reviewed by DES_Photomag’s curatorial team, considering the project’s artistic quality, narrative strength, and its alignment with our commitment to fostering creativity and originality. Once selected, the photographer will collaborate with our team to refine and design the book for production.