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First of all thank you for considering submitting your photo to the AWA Community! To make sure your photo is on point, we put together this handy dandy guide with tips & tricks for how to submit the best photo
5 tips for a strong AWA photo
1. Head-on composition: Shoot straight-on, not at an angle. Center your subject & let the scene speak for itself.
2. Clean lines and strong geometry: Look for interesting facades, repeating windows, bold shapes, and graphic elements.
3. Context and environment: Include surrounding details that tell a story. A vintage sign, an interesting font, a mountain backdrop, or a blue sky full or clouds adds to the visual interest!
4. Natural light: Overcast days are your friend. Harsh shadows and blown-out highlights flatten the image. Soft, even light reveals texture and detail. Overall, we love bright photos!
5. Color (but not forced): AWA places often have distinctive color, but don’t hunt for just pink and teal. A pop of color in a door or a single window is just fine by us 🙂
What makes this a good AWA photo?
The photo is straight on, and the sign "grand teatro" adds a bit of a whimiscal addition to the photo! The theater has a bit of a pattern on the facade, which adds some visual interest. Plus, the sky is bright and adds some interest with the clouds!
What makes this a good AWA photo?
You don't have to travel far for a good AWA photo! This is a local ice cream shop, and with the colorful door, flags, and taken straight-on, this photo is very AWA!
What makes this a good AWA photo?
The colors are bright, and although the photo isn't perfectly symmetrical with the sign, the composition of the photo is satisfying and allows for the signs to shine.
What makes this a good AWA photo?
Although the bottom of this building is not symmetrical, the straight on shot of the main building and the sign provides visual interest! Bonus points for the mountains in the back!
What makes this a good AWA photo?
The photo is straight on, and the sign “grand teatro” adds a bit of a whimiscal addition to the photo! The theater has a bit of a pattern on the facade, which adds some visual interest. Plus, the sky is bright and adds some interest with the clouds!
What makes this a good AWA photo?
The colors are bright, and although the photo isn’t perfectly symmetrical with the sign, the composition of the photo is satisfysing and allows for the signs to shine.
What makes this a good AWA photo?
Although there isn’t a ton of color in this photo, the multiple patterns and textures in the floor and ceiling add visual interest! The frame of the doorway is also centered.
What to avoid:
Dutch angles and dramatic perspectives
Over-editing and heavy filters that destroy texture
Overly busy compositions with no clear subject
Nighttime photos – we prefer daylight!
Why are we passing on this photo?
Although this charming theater is very AWA, the car in front of the theater distracts from the main event: the theater.
Why are we passing on this photo?
This photograph of the Notre-Dame in Paris captures the intricate details of the cathedral, but the photo is skewed and not straight-on. IF the photographer moved to the center of the plaza and waited for a moment for less people in the shot, it would be a great AWA photo! (Bonus points for a blue sky!)
Why are we passing on this photo?
These colorful storefronts are perfectly AWA, but the photo is taken from an angle. This could maybe be used as an additional third or fourth photo on the website, but will not be featured on our socials.
Why are we passing on this photo?
This charming red facade is a off kilter- the flags add interest to the photo, but the cropping cuts them off. If this photo was taken from farther away and was more straight on, it would be a great shot!
Why are we passing on this photo?
Although this charming theater is very AWA, the car in front of the theater distracts from the main event: the theater.
Why are we passing on this photo?
This photograph of the Notre-Dame in Paris captures the intricate details of the cathedral, but the photo is skewed and not straight-on. IF the photographer moved to the center of the plaza and waited for a moment for less people in the shot, it would be a great AWA photo! (Bonus points for a blue sky!)
Why are we passing on this photo?
These colorful storefronts are perfectly AWA, but the photo is taken from an angle.
Why are we passing on this photo?
This charming red facade is a off kilter- the flags add interest to the photo, but the cropping cuts them off. If this photo was taken from farther away and was more straight on, it would be a great shot!
Ready to submit?
Send us your photos and videos!
Other tips & tricks
Look locally: The most overlooked AWA places are often hiding in plain sight: the mid-century post office you drive past every day, the faded corner diner with original signage, the municipal swimming pool that hasn’t been updated since 1968. Take a walk around your town and city- our next favorite AWA shot may be hiding in plain sight!
Slight adjustments are okay: If you take a great photo of a building but it’s slightly off kilter, feel free to do a simple adjustment on your phone before you submit!
