We Are Here To Improve Photo Competition Standards 'TRUST PCS'
About TRUST PCS
At TRUST PCS, we’re driven by a singular purpose: to shape a more ethical and transparent landscape for photo competitions worldwide. We understand the passion photographers pour into their work and the dedication organizers invest in creating impactful events. Yet, we also recognize the widespread frustration caused by unclear rules, ambiguous usage rights, questionable judging processes and a lack of consistent standards.
Our mission is to bridge this gap, offering unbiased, expert analysis and practical resources that empower photographers to confidently participate and enable organisers to run competitions that are transparent, ethical, and respected.
Our Story & Mission
Our journey in the photo competition industry began in 2007, when we first became involved in the space. Our experience deepened as we went on to establish Photo Contest Insider, which we successfully ran for five years before its successful sale in 2014. Building on that invaluable foundation, we most recently founded OpenCallDirect.com. This comprehensive directory is built on a commitment to unprecedented transparency and fairness. We meticulously publish more detailed information about each competition than any other platform, empowering photographers to make truly informed choices without the frustrating need to navigate away and hunt for often-hidden terms on individual competition websites.
Over the past 18 years, we’ve observed the landscape of photo competitions evolve. More recently, since founding Open Call Direct, we’ve been back in the role of actively looking at and evaluating competition terms and conditions, assessing their communication (like opening, closing, and winner announcement dates), and examining their judging processes. This firsthand, constant evaluation has reinforced a clear truth: many competitions still don’t publish this crucial information, or they make it difficult to find, creating an opaque environment with terms and conditions that remain unattractive to the very photographers they need to draw in. We see this daily, understanding intimately what truly matters for artists to confidently participate.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every photo competition operates with enhanced fairness and transparency, where photographers’ rights are universally respected through clear terms, and where the process of entering a competition is always clear, rewarding, and free from doubt. TRUST PCS aims to be the trusted benchmark that elevates the entire industry through shared knowledge and best practices.
How We Operate
We achieve our mission by developing comprehensive standards for photo competitions. These standards are built on industry best practices, legal considerations, and, crucially, direct feedback from the photography community. We assess what truly makes a competition fair, clear, and beneficial for all parties involved.
Through our platform, we educate photographers on their rights and what to look for in terms and conditions. We also offer guidance and resources for organizers, helping them understand and implement the ethical practices that build unwavering trust and enhance their competition’s reputation.
Our Promise
Every standard we set, every guide we publish, and every insight we share is rooted in a deep commitment to objectivity, fairness, and transparency. TRUST PCS is here to foster an environment where creativity thrives, and trust is the cornerstone of every photo competition.
Get In Touch
Have questions about our standards, or want to learn how to elevate your competition? We’re here to help.