The I Love Photography Award 2027 invites photographers and photography enthusiasts to engage with the theme “Limitless”, reflecting on the idea of boundaries and the human desire to overcome them.
At a time when boundaries seem to be constantly redefined, across identity, cultures, technology, the environment, the body and imagination, photography becomes a tool for questioning what holds us back, what separates us, and what allows us to move beyond.
“Limitless” does not mean the absence of rules, but openness: the possibility of exploring new visual languages, new perspectives and new forms of creative freedom. Participants are invited to express, through their photographic project, what it means to them to overcome a boundary, whether physical, mental, social, geographical, emotional or creative.
All photographic approaches are welcome: reportage, portraiture, documentary, conceptual and experimental photography. Each author may interpret the theme in a personal way, offering a perspective capable of transforming the idea of a limit into a question, a vision or a possibility.
Artificial Intelligence Approach
In today’s context, Artificial Intelligence represents one of the most dynamic and controversial areas in relation to the concept of “limits”. Participants are invited to explore AI as a creative tool, reflecting on the relationship between human and machine, reality and simulation, authenticity and construction. AI may be used as a means of production, manipulation or inspiration, provided that the process is clearly disclosed and consistent with the artistic project.
Award Categories
The Award is divided into two main categories:
LIMITLESS – Beyond the Boundaries of the Image
• Project submission deadline: 10 January 2027, by 11:59 p.m. Italian time;
• Jury meeting: 29 January 2027;
• Exhibition: 12-13-14 March 2027, Porta Palio – Verona;
• Awards ceremony: Saturday, 13 March 2027 at 5:00 p.m., during the I Love Photography Festival 2027.
Art. 1 – Description and Purpose of the Award
I Love Photography is an international community of Photo Lovers promoting the fourth edition of the ILP Photography Award, “Limitless – Beyond the Boundaries of the Image”, as part of the seventh edition of I Love Photography | International Photo Festival, scheduled for March 2027 at Porta Palio in Verona.
The Award was created as a forum for exchange, growth and reflection among photographers, visual artists and enthusiasts from around the world.
The theme of this edition, Limitless, invites participants to explore the concept of limits and the human desire to overcome them. At a time when boundaries are continually being redefined – between identities, cultures, technology, the environment, the body and the imagination – the image becomes a tool for questioning what holds us back, what separates us and what, instead, enables us to move beyond.
Limitless does not mean the absence of rules, but openness: the possibility of exploring new languages, new perspectives and new forms of visual freedom. Participants are invited to express, through their projects, what it means to them to overcome a limit: physical, mental, social, geographical, emotional, technological or creative.
For the 2027 edition, the Award is divided into two distinct sections:
• Section A – Traditional Photography
• Section B – AI / Images Generated or Transformed Using Artificial Intelligence.
Art. 2 – How to Enter and General Requirements
The Call for Entries is open to all adults, regardless of nationality.
Each participant may submit only one project in each section. Participants may participate in both sections, provided that the projects submitted are different.
Each project must consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 images, accompanied by:
• project title;
• a short descriptive text, up to 600 characters;
• the selected section;
• the participant’s full name;
• the participant’s contact details.
Entries must be submitted exclusively online by completing the dedicated form available at www.ilovephotography.eu.
For information:
ilovephotography.eu@gmail.com
Art. 3 – Entry Fee
Participation in the Award is free of charge.
Art. 4 – Section A: Traditional Photography
Section A is dedicated to projects created through traditional photographic processes, whether digital or analogue, in which the image originates from a photograph taken by the participant.
All photographic styles and approaches are eligible including:
• reportage;
• portraiture;
• documentary photography;
• conceptual photography;
• experimental photography;
• landscape;
• still life;
• personal research.
Traditional post-production is permitted, including colour correction, brightness and contrast adjustments, retouching, compositing, collage and digital processing, provided that every visual element in the work derives from photographs taken by the author. Generative artificial intelligence tools may not be used to create, add, replace or extend elements of an image, even when the work retains an original photographic base. Automated or AI-assisted tools that affect technical parameters only – such as noise reduction, sharpening, colour balance and lens corrections – are permitted, provided that they do not generate new visual content.
The author must disclose any artificial intelligence tools used and is responsible for the authenticity of the process described.
The organisers may request original files or additional information about how the project was produced.
Art. 5 – Section B: AI / AI-Generated or AI-Transformed Images
Section B is dedicated to projects in which AI generates new visual content or substantially transforms existing images.
Eligible projects may comprise:
• images generated entirely using AI;
• photographic images substantially transformed using AI;
• hybrid projects combining photography, prompts, digital editing, AI generation and manual intervention;
• visual research using AI as a creative, conceptual or narrative tool.
Participants must clearly disclose their use of artificial intelligence, indicating:
• the tools used;
• whether the images were generated entirely or partially, or transformed using AI;
• the author’s creative role in the process;
• whether original photographic material was used as a basis.
The use of AI will not be assessed as a mere technical effect, but as an integral part of the project, its narrative coherence, its visual quality and its ability to interpret the theme “Limitless”.
AI-generated content that infringes third-party rights, deceptively imitates living artists, depicts real individuals without their consent, or uses copyright-protected material without authorisation is not permitted.
Art. 6 – Selection and Exhibition Display
The works will be assessed by a jury composed of photography professionals, artists, curators, educators and experts in contemporary visual languages.
The Jury will assess projects entered in Section A and Section B separately.
The winning projects and a selection of finalists will be exhibited during the Festival at Porta Palio in Verona.
The placement, dimensions, printing methods and exhibition display will be determined at the discretion of the curatorial committee.
The organisation will cover the printing and installation costs for the works selected for the exhibition.
Art. 7 – Technical Image Specifications
A Google Account is required to upload images. This requirement is imposed by Google Forms.
Files must be submitted in JPEG format, with a maximum size of 1 MB per image.
Images must be named according to the following format:
Surname_FirstName_ProjectTitle_Section_SequentialNumber.jpg
Examples:
Images must not contain signatures, logos, watermarks, graphic borders or superimposed text, unless these elements are an integral part of the work and are declared in the descriptive text.
Selected entrants will subsequently be asked to provide the original high-resolution files.
Art. 8 – Content and Copyright
Each participant is responsible for the content of their images and releases the organisers from any liability relating to copyright, image rights, permissions, releases, privacy and the content depicted.
Works will not be accepted if they:
• are contrary to standards of public decency;
• contain discriminatory, offensive, defamatory or violent messages;
• contain offensive political or religious messages;
• are protected by copyright not owned by the author or are not properly authorised;
• depict minors without the written permission of their parents or legal guardians;
• use images of real people, including images generated or modified using AI, in a deceptive, harmful or unauthorised manner;
• infringe third-party rights, trademarks, protected works or confidential materials.
Copyright remains with the author. By submitting an application, the participant grants the organisers permission, free of charge, to use, print and publish the selected works solely for the promotion and documentation of the Award and the Festival, always crediting the author. Any other use will require specific permission.
Art. 9 – The Jury
The Jury will consist of no more than five members, selected from among professionals, artists, curators, photography educators and experts in contemporary visual languages.
The Chair of the Jury will be appointed by majority vote.
The Jury will assess the eligible projects, select the finalists and designate the winners of the ILP Limitless 2027 Award.
The Jury may award:
one award for Section A – Traditional Photography;
• one award for Section B – AI / Images Generated or Transformed Using Artificial Intelligence;
• special mentions for particularly outstanding projects, where appropriate.
The Jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Art. 10 – Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, 13 March 2027 at 5:00 p.m. at Porta Palio in Verona.
Art. 11 – Final Provisions
Participation in the Award implies full acceptance of these Rules and Regulations.
Any organisational, logistical or technical changes will be communicated through the official website www.ilovephotography.eu.
The organisers reserve the right to exclude works that do not comply with these Rules and Regulations or are inconsistent with the cultural aims of the Award.
