In conjunction with:

Detailed Information for Reviewees

• All published times are Eastern Time
• To participate, you must access the reviews using Zoom via a laptop, desktop computer, or a tablet. A phone would not be acceptable.
• You will need reliable internet access.
• Regardless of the number of reviews you register for, you must be available the entire day to accommodate the schedule of the reviewers. We will do our best to accommodate West Coast reviewees so that you will not need to be available during the earlier review sessions.
• We will send your final schedule for the day of reviews by April 9. If you do not receive your schedule by this date, please email marissa@socialdocumentary.net.
• To share your work with reviewers, we recommend that you create a free gallery on the SDN platform. Below is more detailed information about uploading and managing your gallery on the SDN website.
• You may also use your own website or share a file directly from your computer to present your work, but it will not be eligible for the Reviewers Choice Award.
• New for 2026: On the day of reviews, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional review sessions with available reviewers for $60 each. Slots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
• We will request the URL of your portfolio prior to the reviews to share with reviewers. If you plan to share your work directly from your desktop, your reviewer will not be able to see your work in advance.
• During the reviews, there will be public Zoom lounges where you can chat with other reviewees and discuss any technical issues with SDN staff. 

Reviewee training

Join us for a live Zoom Q&A to answer all your questions about the process for the SDN reviews including how to create SDN galleries. If you are not able to attend the training, we will post a video of the training to our YouTube Channel that you can view at any time.
Friday, April 3, 1:00 ET
Advance registration is not required.

Click here to join at the above time.
Meeting ID: 896 3279 3131
Passcode: TRAINING
 

Registration

Click here » for registration information.
 

Submitting your gallery URLs

If you plan to submit your gallery in advance (either from the SDN website or your own website) please use this form  to submit  your URLs no later than Monday, April 6. We will share these links with the reviewers so that they have the option of looking at your work in advance. This will also make your galleries eligible for the Reviewers Choice Award (only available for galleries on the SDN platform). 

How to upload and manage your gallery on the SDN website

• Please see this page for detailed information on uploading work to the SDN website. It is your decision as to how many images you upload, but 18-24 is a good number to consider.
• You have the option of showing the same gallery to all reviewers or showing a different gallery to each reviewer. 
• You can get the URL of your SDN gallery by searching here.
• If you have questions or problems, please email us at info@socialdocumentary.net. We are here to help.
• Keep in mind that all exhibits submitted to the SDN website should be completed documentary projects. If your work is not a completed project, you may prefer instead to present work from your own personal website or other image sharing platform.

What to expect during the day of reviews

• Please plan to login to each review five minutes before your scheduled time. You will enter a Zoom room with other reviewees until you enter the breakout room with your reviewer. 
• Reviewers will share the photographer's portfolios from their computers and control the pacing unless they prefer that you share from your end. In that case, work this out with the reviewer before you begin.
• While you can only submit one URL in advance per reviewer, you may show additional galleries that were not submitted earlier. 
• You may ask the reviewers if you can record the meeting using your phone or digital audio recorder and it is up to them if it is OK or not.   
• Both you and the reviewer will see a time warning. At the end of the review, you will need to leave the review so that the next reviewee can enter.

Reviewers Choice Award

Projections of Reviewers Choice Award submissions and winners announced: 5:00–5:30 pm

All portfolios created on the SDN website platform are automatically entered to the Reviewers Choice Award and will be presented during projections immediately following the Reviews. A select panel of reviewers will choose the most accomplished projects. Two awardees will be selected and announced following the projections on Saturday beginning at 5:00 pm and their winning projects will be displayed online to the audience. Each award winner will receive $150 and be featured on the SDN website. This year, winners will also receive a 90 minute mentorship session with Ed Kashi! Only exhibits created on the SDN website platform will be eligible for the award.

Closing Panel: The Photo Editor's Perspective

Join us from 5:30–6:30pm for this closing panel with four leading photo editors talking about what they look for, how to pitch to them, and how to create a portfolio for long term success. This panel is free for SDN Portfolio Reviews participants and $20 for the general public.

Sponsor