Creative Direction | The Golden Era

We’re looking for the kind of stories you never forget.
The Golden Era is an invitation to rediscover the kind of fashion stories that made us fall in love with photography.

The ones filled with effortless elegance, beautiful light and genuine emotion. The ones where fashion becomes part of the story rather than the story itself. Images that feel discovered instead of directed. Moments that are beautifully imperfect, timeless and unmistakably human.

Inspired by the timeless elegance of the 1950s and 1960s, we invite you to create a documentary-style fashion series through a contemporary lens. Let movement replace posing. Let atmosphere speak louder than spectacle. Let personality shine through every frame.

Create a series that feels like a forgotten editorial rediscovered decades later—effortless, cinematic and authentic.

Don’t recreate the past. Create the images people will still remember fifty years from now.
Create the kind of fashion story that makes someone want to become a photographer.

Where Your Images Will Be Used

Your selected series will become the official competition images for one of the Retoucher of the Year regional competitions.

Throughout the competition, hundreds of talented retouchers from around the world will work on your photographs, with your name and the full creative team credited wherever the images are presented.

But it doesn't end there.

Your photographs will continue to be featured throughout the competition in category promotions, educational content, judging, interviews, winner announcements, exhibitions, social media, editorial features and future Retoucher of the Year publications.

Every winning retouch will credit the original photographer and creative team, ensuring your work continues to gain visibility long after the competition has ended.

Your photographs won't simply launch the competition. They'll become part of its legacy.

Submission

Series Length
Submit a cohesive series of 10–12 final images.

Final Selection
8 images will be selected from the winning series and become the official competition images.

Submission Deadline
6th of September 2026

Before You Submit

We want your photography, not your retouching.

The selected series will become the official competition files for Retoucher of the Year, where talented retouchers from around the world will interpret your work.

Focus on creating unforgettable photographs. The world’s retouchers will take it from there.

How to Apply

1. Register as a Photographer Collaborator

Start by joining our Photographer Collaboration Programme.

→ Register here:
https://retoucheroftheyear.com/photographers/reg

If you’d like to learn more about the programme, visit:

→ Photographer Collaboration:
https://retoucheroftheyear.com/photographer-collaboration

2. Submit Your Series

To apply, please submit:

• 10–12 high-resolution JPEG images
• A short creative statement introducing your concept, inspiration and vision for the series
  

3. If Your Series Is Selected

If your series is chosen as the official competition images, we’ll invite you to upload the original RAW files together with your brief to see your creative vision.

These RAW files will become the official competition files for one of the Retoucher of the Year regional competitions.

What You’ll Receive

Selected photographers and creative teams will receive:

• Full credit for the entire creative team across all competition materials and publications
• The final professionally retouched images for your portfolio and promotional use
• International exposure through interviews, editorial features, social media campaigns and collaboration spotlights
• Visibility across a global community of photographers, retouchers, educators, agencies, studios and creative professionals
• A unique invitation to join the judging panel as a Special Guest Judge for your own image set

As a Special Guest Judge, you’ll select the retouch that best reflects your original creative vision.
Your chosen retoucher will receive additional points towards their final score, and you’ll receive your chosen and final winning retouched images for your own portfolio and promotional use.

More importantly, you’ll become part of an international initiative dedicated to celebrating collaboration between photographers and retouchers, raising creative standards, and recognising the craftsmanship behind exceptional imagery.

Still have questions?
We’re always happy to help. Reach out to us at hello@retouchleague.com.