So, your print didn't achieve an 80 or above?
Disappointed that you won't see your work exhibited in the Gallery? Don't worry, we've got you covered!

15-17 January 2026, 10:30am – 4PM - Novotel London

The Societies of Photographer Convention - SWPP

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Learn to look at your pictures like a judge would!

If you enter the Print Competition, but your photograph will score 79 or below, well, that's where The Judging Room brings you a new opportunity: your prints can be commented on and analyzed by our judges. This means you can figure out what works and what doesn't in your image, talking to the judges in an open, constructive session.

Isn't amazing? Learning decisive insights right when you think something went wrong... The Judging Room transforms downs in ups and already proved to help dozens of photographers in the past editions.
All you have to do is to select the option when you register your entries for the international Print Competition.

Enter the Societies Print Competition

Why submit? Because there is simply no better or faster way to hone your craft and become a better photographer!

Take a seat in the Judging Room and watch your work being critiqued without the pressure of a real competition. After being a massive hit in Las Vegas & London in 2023 e 2024, The Judging Room is now coming back to The Societies Convention 2025, brought to you by Sarah Edmunds and Dario Righetto of Love Edits. World-class, experienced judges will tell you and show you what makes a winning print. Live, in-depth and with interaction.

Dozens of prints to analise

Camaraderie and friendly environment

Constructive critique non-stop

Print analysys
in depth

Open dialogue with the judges

Networking with your peers and success stories

On going lessons

International panel of judges

Experienced, qualified judges with a history of winning competitions themselves will tell you exactly how to improve your images and print entry.

Where is The Judging Room 2026 being held, and when?

The Societis Convention, London - UK
The idea of The Judging Room is for everyone to receive additional feedback from a variety of different judges, and with the possibility of feedback and questions from the audience.
(Note: the nature of this kind of analysis means that judges might have more to say about one picture than another. However, you may ask the judges a specific question about your print after they have finished commenting, if you wish, and time permits).

Anyone can watch, as this will be open on the show floor. Feedback will be constructive and educational.

How can I submit my print(s) be discussed at the Judging Room?

The Society of Photographers 20×16” Print Competition is at the forefront of awarding the most creative and talented photographers in the world while providing a real education opportunity to improve your craft. The judging will take place at the Novotel London West during the Convention and it’s free to watch. It is a truly informative and beneficial opportunity to learn from our peers.

Merited images will be displayed in the Exhibition Gallery for 1000s of visitors to view at the Novotel London West Hotel.

The winners will be announced at our prestigious Awards Presentation Evening at the 2025 Convention (Friday, January 17, 2025).
Enter the Competition here: https://thesocietiesprintcomp.com/

What are the due dates?

Deadline: January 6, 2025

Question: if the print has already been judged, what's the point of The Judging Room and doing it all again?

During the live print competition judging, the judges have to get through hundreds of prints and dedicate equal time to each, while also taking the necessary time to think about their score and enter the number. This can mean the time to talk is limited for practical reasons. Score challenges can result in more detailed debate, but challenges usually happen with higher scoring images that will be hung in the gallery.

The ones that don't make it to the gallery might not have had much discussion, simply due to the nature of how print competition works. That leaves a wonderful opportunity for a more detailed discussion of those prints for the very entrants who need it the most - those of us scoring 79 and under.

How much does it cost?

The educational experience is entirely FREE to everyone who has a show floor pass.

How do I get my print back?

We are not able to ship any prints back.

I don’t have a print to submit but I want to watch others being judged, can I?

Of course, that’s the whole point! These are not private critiques. It’s an educational experience for all.

How do I know when my print(s) will be discussed?

The Judging Room by Love Edits aims to take more than the usual time to dissect, explain and analyse each picture. We are not able to give exact times for when each print will be discussed. Each print discussion could take anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes or more, depending on the image in question and how much the judges have to say, and if there are any questions from the audience.

However, we suggest that you come and attend as many sessions as possible, as we are sure you’ll take away something valuable from every print discussion!

Will the judges discuss my score that I received in the Print Competition?

No. The judges aren't there to challenge what has already been decided or to argue with their colleagues! Sometimes a score might be very close to "the line", at 78 or 79. This means it will possibly take only a few tweaks to work on for next year to get an 80 or above. The judges' goal is to really share their knowledge on how prints that land in the 70s zone could be improved, so participants and the audience can take that awareness and come back with winners in future years.

Will The Judging Room be recorded or live streamed

No, the experience is for those who are present on the show floor, so make sure you don't miss it!

I want my print to go through to The Judging Room if I score a 79 or under, but I'm afraid I'll be embarrassed

Prints will be anonymous. If the print maker is in the room and wants to identify themselves and ask questions, they can. But you can stay totally silent and listen and no-one needs to know it's you!

Having said that, the judges are professional, experienced in judging and entering competitions themselves and know exactly what it feels like to be in your shoes. They are donating their time and experience totally free of charge in order to give back to YOU and try to help you improve your scores for next year and years to come. It's also worth remembering that most judges also have at least one or two scores in the 70s themselves too! There is nothing to fear.

Does this replace the Print Competiton?

No! This is a purely educational initiative brought to you by Love Edits and supported by Click Live, hosted by Love Edits at the Convention show floor.

Who are the judges that you might meet at The Judging Room™?

The judges who have generously offered their time and expertise in the previous chapters of The Judging Room are seasoned and experienced award-winning photographers and international judges. Take a look at the Hall-of-Fame here below!

2026 London Edition

Hanna Neret

FSWPP Illustrative Wedding & Portrait, Icon Master, Image of the Year SM, Judge
(SVE)

Kris Anderson

NZIPP Master, International Judge, IFSWPP, Icon Double Master,

EIZO Ambassador
(AUS)

Gurvir Johal

Multi awarded photogrpaher, International Judge, Icon Triple Master, FSWPP
(UK)

Dario Righetto

Print expert, designer, watercolour illustrator, International Judge
(ITA)

Scott Johnson

Multi awarded photographer, International Judge,

Fuji Camera Ambassador
(UK)

Gemma Sains

Judge, FSWPP,

IFSWPP
(UK)

Therese Asplund

Double Master FEP, Elinchrome Global Ambassador, Canson Ambassador
(SVE)

Terrie Jones

Head of The Society Print Competition and Judge training, International judge
(UK)

Panikos Hajistilly

Multi awarded photographer, FSWPP, Judge
(UK)

Martina Wärenfeldt

Multi awarded photographer, International Judge, FSWPP
(SVE)

Ross Grieve

FSWPP, PJ multi awarded photographer
(UK)

Sarah Edmunds

Multi awarded photographer, International Judge, FSWPP, Icon Double Master, Canson Ambassador, Imagen Talent
(UK)

Sanjay Jogia

Multi awarded photographer,

International Judge, FSWPP

Canon & EIZO Ambassador
(UK)

Kelly Brown

International Judge, AIPP Double Master, Icon Grand Master, FSWPP, Canon and Canson Ambassador
(UK)

Dave Stanbury

FSWPP, Multi awarded Photographer, International Judge
(UK)

This event is supported by:

Education and Conference

Where do you attend the Constructive Critique sessions at The Judging Room™?

Novotel London West, Hammersmith

Thursday 15 January 2026 – 10:30am – 4PM
Friday 16 January 2026 – 10:30am – 4PM

Saturday 17 January 2026 - 10:30am – 12PM

Show floor

Take a look at some moments from the last editions of The Judging Room™

The first edition of The Judging Room took place during WPPI 2023, in Las Vegas (US).
It was a huge success, with many hailing it as the best part of the show floor. We discussed hundreds of images over two days (and we forgot to program lunch breaks), with an all-star cast of international judges.

Picture courtesy of: Michele Celentano, Jugbir Dhillon, Jerry Ghionis, Roberto Valenzuela, Scott Johnson, Tony Hewitt, Gurvir Johal, Sanjay Jogia ©

The Judging Room is brought to you by:

MEET YOUR COACH

Sarah Edmunds

British born, Sarah specialises in wedding, portrait and commercial beauty and fashion photography. She has been a self-employed business owner for 29 years and a professional photographer for 12, during which time she has lived and worked in six cities across three continents. Sarah is a Fellow of The Societies of Photographers in the UK (the highest recognised qualification) and Double Master of Icon Award and a print competition judge.
Recently, Sarah was one of six internationally renowned photographers chosen to judge International Portrait Photographer of the Year, and Professional Photo magazine’s Professional Photographer of the Year. Sarah is also a Chairman for the Print Competition of The Societies and teaches at their Judges School, she served as a judge for The Societies and the Swedish National Print Competition and will judge at the Greek National Print Competition too.

Follow Sarah on Intagram

MEET YOUR COACH

Dario Righetto

With 20 years of experience as Strategic Marketing Director in the professional photography printing industry, Dario was the instrumental factor and driving force behind the establishment of a valuable network of partners and influencers worldwide, overseeing international brand awareness and reputation, product design, and developing innovative visual and written communication strategies.
Throughout his long career, Dario heralded some of the most crucial changes in this industry, including Canon’s revolutionary HD printing technology. From 2018 - 2020, he was a member of the Canon Ambassador Program panel and played an integral part in selecting new Ambassadors for the brand.

Previously Dario founded a Creative ADV Agency in Venice, serving some of the best "made in Italy" luxury brands as well IT technologies. Before that he was an Officer of the Italian Air Force.
Dario is also a watercolor illustrator, with a passionate artistic background and visionary creativity.

He is a Judge for The Societies of Photographers and teaches at their Judging School. He served as a judge for The Societies and the Swedish National Print Competition and will judge at the Greek National Print Competition too.

THE SOCIETIES OF PHOTOGRAPHERS 2024 JUDGING ROOM SPIRIT

Learn to look at your pictures like a judge would!

HOW TO “SEE” WITH AN ARTIST’S EYE

The visual code in Art, how masterpieces in galleries and museums offer us a beautiful representation of harmony, balance, elegance.
HOW TO TELL A VISUAL STORY? DOES THE PICTURE CONVEY A MESSAGE?

What can we read into an image, what's the story line and what suggests the real meaning of the picture.

HOW TO PERFECT COMPOSITION & PRINTING

Let the judges explain composition and how to make your picture more impactful. See first hand how the print quality makes the difference for the good... or the bad.
HOW THE RETOUCHING CAN REFINE AN IMAGE

The editing can lift your work to the next level, but it can also affect the result, defeating your purpose. A light hand and the right techniques will guarantee the goal.