UNSTAGED Journal — Instant Photography

UNSTAGED is an independent photography journal dedicated to lens-based work that engages with comforting and discomforting authenticity. The journal runs themed issues with rotating guest curators. The Instant Photography issue is themed around personal stories told through instant photography — Polaroid, Instax, Fuji integral, and similar processes — focused on everyday moments rather than constructed perfection. The journal's stated framing is direct: "You don't have to be good."

The 2026 issue is guest curated by Dani (@d.m.terblanche), bringing an external voice to selection rather than the journal's standing editorial team. Selected photographers are featured in a free print publication.

Eligible submissions span single images, diptychs, triptychs, and mixed-media approaches — provided the work is lens-based and uses an instant photography process. AI-generated work is not accepted.

Each photographer submits 5 to 10 photographs as JPG files (long edge 2000px, 300 DPI) plus a project description up to 500 words. The submission process is unusual: applicants upload work to a publicly accessible Google Drive folder and send the link (with the project description as a PDF) to reach@arek-ratai.com. Files must be named Name_ProjectTitle_01. Emails with attachments are deleted unread.

Submission is free of charge. Eligibility is open globally. The 2026 deadline is May 20.