To support emerging talent and challenge stereotypes around women in commercial imagery, Getty Images, in partnership with Dove, has announced the launch of the new #ShowUs Grant, Beauty Has No Age Limit.

The #ShowUs Grant will award two grants of $5,000 to women, female-identifying and non-binary commercial photographers and videographers from around the world who are using their talents to create inclusive visual stories that shatter stereotypes celebrating women and ageing. 

Getty Images’ recent Visual GPS market research found that two in three women worldwide say they experience bias or discrimination of all forms, with nearly one-quarter of women (21%) saying age is a top reason that women experience bias.

The research found that age is often underrepresented in visual storytelling, with approximately half of the women in popular visuals being young adults or under 30 (53%). Beyond age, less than 1% of visuals include LGBTQ+ women and women with larger body types and only 1% of visuals include women with disabilities. 

“The reality of what aging looks like today continues to be misrepresented in the visuals we see in marketing and advertising every day. Our Visual GPS research shows how bias is everywhere, but it’s never been more important for brands and businesses to broaden the scope of visual stories they tell and understand how women around the world are fully realized, multi-dimensional, and incredibly diverse,” said Dr. Rebecca Swift, Global Head of Creative Insights at Getty Images.

The grant is part of Getty Images’ ongoing commitment to promoting diversity within creative commercial content and elevating the work and the voices of women, female-identifying and non-binary photographers and videographers as championed with Project #ShowUs.

Created in partnership with Dove the Project #ShowUs collection is a global library of images created by women, female-identifying and non-binary individuals devoted to shattering beauty stereotypes around the world.  

The new grant has been launched on the three-year anniversary of Project #ShowUs, and emerging commercial photographers or videographers will submit against the brief of honouring the full spectrum of diverse experiences, showing that beauty has no age limit and that all experiences are valid, welcome, and appreciated. Judges will give particular consideration to photographers and videographers who are depicting authentic stories of women, femmes and non-binary individuals in their local communities.

“Through our latest #ShowUs Grant, our hope is to showcase the modern realities of women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond leading full, active lives and celebrate all experiences at all life stages in a more authentic way. We are proud to support emerging artists in creating inclusive visual stories which drive a more diverse and representative visual landscape.” added Swift

In addition, successful recipients will also be invited to license their award-winning content through GettyImages.com and iStock.com at a 100% royalty rate for content created within their proposed project. In addition to financial remuneration, recipients will also receive mentoring support and guidance. 

Submissions will be judged by a prestigious industry-leading panel including:

●      Leandro Barreto – Global Vice President, Dove

●      Barbara Shipley – Senior Vice President, Brand Integration, AARP

●      Najate Leklye – Educator and Influencer 

●      Meryem Slimani – Photographer 

Applications will be accepted until April 29, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Entrants can apply online here