Open Call
When Flowers Sleep
The days grow shorter and the light begins to shift: shadows fall differently, colours soften, rhythms change. It is a time when the world around us slows down and attention turns inward. At Ballon Rouge, we look back on a year full of movement and now make space for rest, attention, and small gestures. We want to create room to pause, to reflect, and to seek connection, with yourself and with others.
For our final exhibition of the year, we invite photographers to submit work that resonates with this theme of stillness and introspection, broadly interpreted. We are looking for images that evoke reflection, or that capture the poetry of light, time, and connection in another way. The theme is intentionally open and invites personal interpretation; we welcome being surprised by your perspective.
For this exhibition, we will transform our space into a salon: all works will be shown together, without separation by artist. Whether you are a recently graduated photographer or have been working on your practice for many years, you are warmly invited to submit your work.
◼︎ Deadline
Submissions are closed.
Wander, 2021
© Twan Peeters
Please read the practical information and conditions carefully before submitting. If you have any questions, check out the FAQ section below, or feel free to contact us by email.
◼︎ Submission Guidelines
You can participate by filling out the online application form, where you enter your personal details and upload your work.
◼︎ You may submit 1 to 3 works.
◼︎ Each submitted work is assessed individually. This means that if you submit multiple works, one, two, or all of them may be selected.
◼︎ The work must be ready to hang (framed, mounted on dibond, or another suitable presentation — no loose prints).
◼︎ Clearly include title, year, technique, dimensions, edition size, and sales price with your submission.
◼︎ This is a sales exhibition. It is helpful if multiple editions are available, or if additional editions can be produced if needed.
◼︎ Unique works may also be submitted; please indicate whether they may be sold directly and whether comparable additional work is available.
◼︎ You are responsible for the production, framing, and delivery of your work.
◼︎ Participation fee: €25 per submission, free for Ballon Rouge Friends.
◼︎ Practical Information
What We Offer
We make sure your work is presented carefully and professionally in our gallery. The selected works will be shown at Ballon Rouge from 29 November to 20 December, in a space transformed into an atmospheric salon setting. We take care of installation, printed materials, and online promotion, and we host a festive opening on Saturday, 29 November.
Selection
The selection is made internally by the Ballon Rouge team, based on artistic quality, relevance to the theme, and sales potential. Selected photographers will be notified by email on 7 November.
Delivery of Works
If your work is selected, it can be delivered to Ballon Rouge on 20, 21, 26, or 27 November. You are responsible for production and transport costs.
Conditions
◼︎ We accept submissions from photographers who work professionally with photography — autodidacts, professionals, and recent graduates — who live or work in the Netherlands or Belgium and are 18 years or older.
◼︎ By submitting work, you confirm that you hold all rights to the images and grant Ballon Rouge permission to use the images for promotional purposes.
◼︎ Only photographic work is accepted; the image and/or technique must be photographic.
◼︎ All work must be professionally presented and framed.
Please check our general terms and conditions for full details.
Groupshow, Where We Were, 2025
© Vivian Ammerlaan
◼︎ FAQ
Is it a problem if the work is not yet framed?
No, that is not a problem. However, it is important for us to understand the intended final presentation. Please describe how you plan to present the work (e.g. type of frame, with or without glass or passe-partout, mounted on dibond, etc.). If you already know which framer you will work with, feel free to mention this. You may also include a mock-up to clarify your idea.
Is the sales price inclusive or exclusive of commission?
The sales price you provide should be inclusive of 35% commission — this is the final price at which the work will be sold.
Will all submitted works be selected if I submit multiple pieces?
No. Each submitted work is assessed individually. If you submit up to three works, one, two, or all of them may be selected.
Can I submit work from different series?
Yes. You may submit works from different series, as long as each work fits the theme and meets the submission guidelines.
Can I submit work that has been shown before?
Yes. Previously exhibited work is allowed, provided it has not been shown at Ballon Rouge before.
Are digital manipulations or mixed techniques allowed?
Yes, as long as the work is photographic in nature and photography is central to the image and/or process.
Can I submit work that is not for sale?
In principle, this is a sales exhibition. If you wish to submit a unique work that is not for sale, please clearly indicate this in your submission. Selection will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a limit to the size of the work?
There is no fixed size limit, but keep in mind that the exhibition is a salon-style presentation with many works shown together. Extremely large works may be more difficult to place.
Can I change the sales price after submission?
No. If your work is selected, the sales price you submitted will be considered final for the duration of the exhibition.
Is my work insured during the exhibition?
Ballon Rouge is not liable for loss, damage, or theft during transport or the exhibition period. In practice, works on display are covered for major incidents such as fire, water damage, and burglary. However, damage caused by visitors, accidents during installation or deinstallation, or other forms of handling cannot be insured by us. While we take great care in installing and monitoring the exhibition, exhibitors remain responsible for insuring their own work if they wish to cover these risks.
Can I submit work if I am still studying photography?
Yes, as long as you are 18 years or older and working seriously with photography.
Will I receive feedback if my work is not selected?
Due to the number of submissions, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback.
Can I submit the same work again for a future open call?
Yes, unless otherwise stated in future calls.
◼︎ Credits
Cover image © Twan Peeters