Essence of a Memory Photograph Competition

Can you evoke the essence of a memory?

A whiff of perfume ... an unusual turn of phrase ... the taste of ginger biscuits ... the smell of chip fat frying ... All kinds of things evoke memories of people who have died.

But can you capture the essence of a memory within a single photograph?

The To Absent Friends Essence of a Memory competition challenges people to do just that.

The Competition

Submit a photo and write up to fifty words which together evoke a story or memory of someone important in your life who has died.

The person can be from your life recently or long ago, and the photo can be of anything that you feel captures the essence of a memory you have of them, a moment you shared with them, or a story of them you'd like to tell.

The photo should be accompanied by words you've written to provide some context to the photograph. These can be factual or reflective, poetry or prose - write whatever you need to get across the essence of the memory, but no more than fifty words. (If you win, these words will be printed alongside your photograph.)

Who can enter?

Entries are encouraged from photographers and writers of all ages and abilities living in Scotland.

There is an adult's category and a children's category. (Those aged between 16-18 can choose whether to enter the adult or the child competition.)

This competition is only open to people who live in Scotland.

Prizes

Winner of the adult category: £500

Winner of the children's category: £50

The winning entries, along with a selection of runners-up, will be made into an exhibition, which will be displayed as part of the To Absent Friends Festival 2023. The winners and runners up will be invited to an evening reception at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh, on 1 November, where the new exhibition will be launched.

How to enter

Please download and complete the submission form and email your photograph (JPG or PDF) and accompanying fifty words (there's a space on the form for this) to samara@palliativecarescotland.org.uk by Monday 18th September.

The submission form asks for the following information, which we'll need to accept your submission:

• your name
• your address (entrants must live in Scotland)
• your email address (or an adult caregiver's if you are under 16)
• your phone number (or an adult caregiver's if you are under 16)
• whether you are entering the adult or child competition (if entering the children's competition please state your age)
• state that you give your permission for the photograph to be printed and displayed as part of the Essence of a Memory Photo Exhibition, and to be used by the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care / Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief as part of our promotion of the To Absent Friends Festival.

 

Photo credit: Michael Ryan