Awards guide · Western Canada
Western Living Designers of the Year and WL Design 25: Photo Guide
For architects and interior designers living in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Checked against Western Living’s FAQ and entry pages on November 1, 2026.
Western Living runs two awards that need photography. Designers of the Year judges a body of work: 3 to 5 projects, each with 2 to 8 colour JPGs (300 dpi if possible), a 200-word rationale and photo credits. In 2026 the entry period ended April 1, with late entries to April 17. WL Design 25 judges single rooms and products: up to 5 photos each, 300 dpi JPG or TIFF, with photo credits, the photographer’s contact details and homeowner permission to publish. The 2027 WL Design 25 closed on October 1, 2026, and the 2027 Designers of the Year call is not out yet. Renderings are not eligible for either award.
Designers of the Year
| Item | 2026 Designers of the Year |
|---|---|
| Who can enter | Residents of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. Projects can be anywhere. |
| Projects per entry | 3 to 5 (1 to 3 for the Arthur Erickson and Robert Ledingham emerging awards). At least one completed in the last two years; others up to eight years old. |
| Photos per project | 2 to 8 colour .jpg files, 300 dpi if possible, named by project |
| Also required | About 200 words of rationale per project, including the completion year; photo credits; collaborator credits; plans for architecture and interior categories |
| Residential only? | Architecture and interior design categories are for residential projects; the two memorial awards allow one commercial project |
| Fee (2026) | $150 + PST/GST, rising to $175 (April 2–13) and $275 (April 14–17). Includes one event ticket and a print subscription. |
| 2027 cycle | Not published as of November 1, 2026 |
Source: Designers of the Year FAQ.
This is a body-of-work award, so the photos have to read as one practice. Matching light, colour and framing across projects helps a judge see a point of view. Five projects shot by five photographers in five styles look like five firms. Projects photographed years ago can still be entered, as long as at least one is recent.
WL Design 25
| Item | 2027 WL Design 25 |
|---|---|
| What is judged | Single rooms and products; 25 awards in total across both |
| Photos | Up to 5 per room or product, 300 dpi, .jpg or .tiff |
| Required with photos | Photo credits, photographer contact info, and homeowner permission to publish (“Yes is required to enter”) |
| Eligible projects | Completed within the last four years. Prototypes and renderings are not eligible. |
| Entries | Up to five projects per form. $150 early bird (to September 7), $175 (to September 22), $225 late, plus tax |
| 2027 deadline | October 1, 2026, 11:59 pm, not extended. 2027 entries are closed; the next call has not been published. |
Source: WL Design 25 entry page, WL Design 25 FAQ.
Five photos for one room is tight. A working set: one wide establishing view, one from the opposite corner, one that shows the design idea, and two details. Western Living publishes finalists and winners with a photographer credit, so have the credit line ready before you fill in the form.
How I photograph awards entries
I’m an architectural and interior photographer based in Richmond, working across Metro Vancouver and, with published travel fees, the rest of BC. For an awards entry the brief comes from the rules:
- A shot list built from the categories you are entering, with an image for each thing the judges score.
- Real spaces, no virtual staging, and edits limited to normal correction of exposure, colour and verticals.
- Files delivered to the programme’s spec: colour JPG or TIFF at 300 dpi, named by project, with a credit line and my contact details ready for the form.
- A ready credit line (“Photography: Travis Zhang”) and a licence that covers the organiser’s promotional use of winning images.
- Published prices: CA$1,100 for a half day with 12 finished images, or CA$2,000 for a full day with 20 images including twilight, plus 5% GST. Details are in the cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos does Western Living Designers of the Year need?
Each entry has 3 to 5 projects (1 to 3 for the emerging-designer awards), and each project needs 2 to 8 colour JPG photos, 300 dpi if possible, named by project, plus photo credits.
Who can enter Western Living's Designers of the Year?
Residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. The projects themselves can be located anywhere.
What photos does WL Design 25 accept?
Up to five photos per room or product, 300 dpi, JPG or TIFF, with photo credits, the photographer's contact information and homeowner permission to publish. Prototypes and renderings are not eligible.
This guide summarises Western Living’s published FAQ and entry pages and is not affiliated with Western Living. The official Designers of the Year pages take precedence.