Pro Tips
Rehearse a relaxed opener
Practice a genuine compliment followed by a clear request: “I love your jacket—may I take your portrait?” An unhurried delivery helps you connect without letting challenge pressure rush the approach.
Find catchlights in open shade
Once someone agrees to a portrait, ask permission to turn them slightly toward the open sky. Explain that this adds light to their eyes, helping their expression stand out.
Tasks
Capture an Owner–Dog Connection
Submit a portrait of a dog with its owner, taken at the dog's eye level—not looking down. Keep both faces sharp and catch a genuine look, laugh, or nuzzle.
Capture a real exchange rather than a held pose.
One photo is submitted with both faces in focus, a visible interaction, and a viewpoint level with the dog.
Ask permission first, then have the owner bring their face close to the dog's and interact naturally.
Start at f/5.6, 1/500 s, Auto ISO, continuous autofocus; on a phone, try burst mode.
Ask another willing dog owner, or arrange a later moment with the original pair if the dog needs a break.
Make Personal Style Stand Out
Submit a portrait highlighting expressive fashion, tattoos, or accessories. Blur the busy street background so the subject's styling draws attention first.
Shoot at eye level or slightly below with f/2.8 or wider, or use phone portrait mode.
One photo is submitted with sharp eyes, readable style details, background blur, and the required viewpoint.
Increase the distance between your subject and the background to strengthen separation.
Aperture priority, f/2.8 or wider, Auto ISO; aim for 1/250 s or faster. Phone: portrait mode.
Invite a willing participant with a distinctive accessory or outfit detail; keep that feature visible in the portrait.
Create a Direct-Gaze Portrait
Submit a portrait with direct eye contact against a plain wall, sky, or soft bokeh. Position the subject facing the light source so their eyes show catchlights.
Frame tightly from the shoulders up, keeping background distractions outside the image.
One shoulders-up photo is submitted with sharp eyes, direct eye contact, visible catchlights, and a clean background.
Use soft sky light or a window rather than asking anyone to look toward the sun.
Start at f/4, 1/250 s, Auto ISO, eye autofocus. Phone: portrait mode; tap the nearer eye.
Ask a willing participant to face the bright sky from open shade, using a plain wall or distant foliage behind them.
Rules
Respect every subject’s boundaries
Never pressure anyone; if someone refuses or looks uncomfortable, stop, thank them, and move on without a second attempt.
Deliver portraits within 48 hours
Offer every consenting subject their final portrait, and send it within 48 hours if they accept.
People in the frame — consent, and a parent for minors
If a person is recognizable in your photo, you are responsible for having their permission to submit it to this event. For anyone under 18, a parent or legal guardian must give that permission. Candid street scenes where no one is the subject are usually fine. Posed portraits and identifiable faces are not, unless you have consent.
You may appear in event photos and social posts
The organizer and other participants take photos and short videos during this event. By joining, you agree that you may be recognizable in them and that the organizer may post them on this event's Vision Arise page and on their social channels to show what the event was like. Tell the organizer at check-in if you prefer not to be photographed, and ask them to take down any post that features you. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian gives this consent.
Limitations
One camera, one lens
Use the same camera and lens throughout the session; no gear swaps are allowed.
Keep interactions under two minutes
Limit each exchange to less than two minutes total, from your first approach to your final thank-you.
Prizes
Top scorer prizes, category awards, and raffle giveaways
Golden Catchlight Award
Awarded to the portrait with the most striking connection between light and the subject's eyes ; the shot where their gaze truly comes alive. The winning photographer gets their portrait printed as a large-format exhibition print, and a free print is also mailed to the subject as a thank-you for saying yes to a stranger with a camera.
Best use of light and eye contact, judged by community vote plus organizer pick
Gallery feature
Showcase your winning photograph on the VisionArise gallery page.
Prize for placement 2
Featured Photographer
Winning image showcased on VisionArise’s homepage and social media gallery.
Prize for placement 3
Leaderboard
Individual standings for this event
