how to apply

For Photographers: To apply to be a Hello Artist, a gallery of 100 images is required to be submitted through a URL in your Hello Artist application. Your application includes a portfolio review by a select group of Hello Storyteller Educators. Each portfolio will be reviewed and scored privately. A minimum score of 55 or higher demonstrating a unique voice and style, as well as a cohesive and consistent presentation, out of 70 possible points is required to be accepted as a Hello Artist. Once you receive a passing score of 55 or higher you'll be eligible to submit creative content to Hello Storyteller to showcase your work to our community, as well as work closely with our Pro community to further your journey in creative education, artistic and thought-provoking projects, and a deeper sense of community/family. You will be evaluated and scored in the following categories, with 10 possible points per category:

The Rubric

To get a full score of 10, the artist must be able to demonstrate accurate and/or creative use of focus in all images in the portfolio - with a variety of compositional view points, creative techniques, & focus.

Creative Voice | Branding

Creative Voice | Branding

An artist’s voice and style is what makes them stand out as unique among other artists. A strong voice is evident when you can see an image and know the artist before you even see the by line. 

An artist’s voice and style is what makes them stand out as unique among other artists. A strong voice is evident when you can see an image and know the artist before you even see the by line. 

Authenticity

Storytelling

As artists, our job is to tell a visual story. Storytelling is about conveying an emotion or idea, teaching a lesson, or sharing an experience with the viewer. We will be judging storytelling based on:

• Setting - The setting and composition of the image should be thoughtful and add strong context to the action within the scene.

• Details - Details within the scene should be left in or focused on when they enhance the overall story. Details that distract from the story should be removed either before the shot is taken, or in post processing. 

• Emotion - Strong images will make the viewer feel an emotion, and/or show the subject’s emotion during the story. 

• Touch - Touch connects the viewer with the subject and makes an image feel more intimate in nature. Touch is one of our five senses, so capturing it in storytelling helps the viewer relate to the subject and the story. 

• Movement - Movement should be used, when possible and appropriate, to make an image come to life and make the viewer almost feel as if they are seeing the image in real time. When used properly, movement can add dimension, depth and emotion, and also add more context to the story. 

Not all images will have every element listed above. But a score of 7-10 in this category will be given when the artist demonstrates all or most of the above elements to enhance the storytelling within their portfolio.

The best scores will be given to portfolios that consistently give the viewer an emotional response, making them feel connected to the image and/or subjects.

Skill (50 points possible - 45 points are required to pass)

Cohesiveness (20 points possible - 15 points are required to pass)

Cohesiveness (20 points possible)

Portfolio Consistency

Portfolio Consistency

The portfolio needs to flow well from the beginning to end, told like a story. The portfolio should be thoughtfully put together in a manner that allows the reviewer to easily move from one image to the next with a logical and clear organization.

The portfolio needs to flow well from the beginning to end, told like a story. The portfolio should be thoughtfully put together in a manner that allows the reviewer to easily move from one image to the next with a logical and clear organization.

Goals | Growth | Community (20 points possible - 15 are required to pass)

Goals

The Artist should be able to clearly outline what they want to accomplish as a Hello Pro Creative, goals they would like to achieve, and what they would like to contribute to the Hello Storyteller Community.

Growth

The Artist should be able to articulate how they hope the Hello Pro Creative designation will help them grow both in their art and within the Hello Storyteller Community. We also want to know how you will help the Hello Storyteller Community grow! This is a partnership and we will be growing on this journey, together!

Community Involvement

Our Hello Pros should be active in the Hello Storyteller Community on Facebook, IG or both. We encourage our pros to participate in projects, help lift up and support others, and contribute to various projects. It’s very important that our Hello Pros are willing to be leaders within our various community platforms.

**We will also consider an artist’s affiliation with other communities and how it may reflect on, contribute to, or even interfere with their relationship with Hello Storyteller. Affiliations with other platforms or organizations should be considered cooperative with Hello Storyteller.

Step 1: Portfolio Review to achieve Hello Artist

Hello Artist is a group of CREATIVES with unique voices and talents. We are parents, children, sisters, brothers, students, teachers and leaders. We come from all walks of life, but we come together on this journey with the common goals of creativity, growth, community, and kindness. When you apply for Hello Artist, you'll undergo a detailed portfolio review to assess where you are on your creative journey and push you to grow further than you ever imagined.  Once you receive a passing score of 55 or higher you are eligible to participate in group projects, showcase your work throughout the Hello Storyteller Community social platforms and are eligible to apply for our ELITE Pro Program that will unlock a whole new creative path you have always dreamed of.

Exposure

Exposure

To get the full 10 points, you need to have an expert level understanding of exposure in all lighting situations.

To get the full 10 points, you need to have an expert level understanding of exposure in all lighting situations.

Color | White Balance

Color | White Balance

To get the full 10 points, skin tones and overall image white balance should be consistent throughout the entire portfolio and creatively accurate in each image.

To get the full 10 points, skin tones and overall image white balance should be consistent throughout the entire portfolio and creatively accurate in each image.

Getting Technical (Composition, Focus & Technique)

Getting Technical (Composition, Focus & Technique)

To get a full score of 10, the artist must be able to demonstrate accurate and/or creative use of focus in all images in the portfolio - with a variety of compositional view points, creative techniques, & focus.

Authenticity

A score of 8-10 in this category will be given when an artist is truly unique and thinks outside the box. Additionally, the artist should demonstrate the ability to capture authentic moments and connections with their subjects, resulting in emotionally compelling imagery and storytelling.

Storytelling

Storytelling

As artists, our job is to tell a visual story. Storytelling is about conveying an emotion or idea, teaching a lesson, or sharing an experience with the viewer. We will be judging storytelling based on:

• Setting - The setting and composition of the image should be thoughtful and add strong context to the action within the scene.

• Details - Details within the scene should be left in or focused on when they enhance the overall story. Details that distract from the story should be removed either before the shot is taken, or in post processing. 

• Emotion - Strong images will make the viewer feel an emotion, and/or show the subject’s emotion during the story. 

• Touch - Touch connects the viewer with the subject and makes an image feel more intimate in nature. Touch is one of our five senses, so capturing it in storytelling helps the viewer relate to the subject and the story. 

• Movement - Movement should be used, when possible and appropriate, to make an image come to life and make the viewer almost feel as if they are seeing the image in real time. When used properly, movement can add dimension, depth and emotion, and also add more context to the story. 

Not all images will have every element listed above. But a score of 7-10 in this category will be given when the artist demonstrates all or most of the above elements to enhance the storytelling within their portfolio.

The best scores will be given to portfolios that consistently give the viewer an emotional response, making them feel connected to the image and/or subjects.

Skill (50 points possible)

**Please allow up to 3 weeks for your application to be processed. We will contact you via email with your detailed results!

STEP 2: Application for Hello Pro - For those that want to teach in our community

Hello Pro Creatives

Do you have a desire to teach, mentor and be a leader in the community? If the answer is “Yes” then you may be ready to apply to be a Hello Pro Mentor!

To apply for Hello Pro, you need to be an active and contributing member of the Hello Storyteller community through your role as a Hello Artist. Hello Artists can only apply for Hello Pro after a 2 month waiting period (after being accepted as an Artist) while continuing to expand their portfolio and build a stronger relationship with our Community. 

Artist's must complete the following before applying for Hello Pro. The requirements must be completed in the immediate six months PRIOR to applying for Hello Pro (please see further explanation below):

• 2 Blog submissions
• 1 Instagram/Social Media takeover
• 1 Membership Library submission
• Consistent Engagement with our community via Facebook Group

Our Pros are the Best-of-the-Best and will be the instructors and mentors in our community. All applicants must go through the Portfolio Review Process and be accepted as a Hello Artist BEFORE applying for Hello Pro.

After the Hello Artist Review and scoring process, you will be given specific feedback that will ensure you know the correct steps you need to take to be ready to apply for Hello Pro. Your application to Hello Pro should be very carefully curated and thoughtfully prepared with your Hello Artist feedback in mind. 

In addition to the Pro requirements above, please prepare and  submit a NEW portfolio of your 50 BEST IMAGES. Your portfolio, answers to the application questions, and evidence of involvement with the Hello Storyteller Community through social media take-overs, blog post contributions and general involvement  will determine your acceptance. A minimum score of 115 or higher demonstrating community involvement, growth as an artist, a unique voice and style, as well as a cohesive and consistent presentation, out of 130 possible points is required to be accepted as a Hello Pro.

(10 points possible)

(10 points possible)

(10 points)

Blog Contribution

(10 points required)

Our Hello Artists are required to contribute to the blog a minimum of TWO BLOG SUBMISSIONS before applying for Hello Pro.

Library Content Contribution

(10 points required)

Instagram/Facebook Takeover

(10 points required)

Our Hello Artists are required to contribute Library Content to our Membership at least once within the last 6 months before applying for Hello Pro.

Our Hello Artists are required to complete a social media takeover at least once within the last 6 months before applying for Hello Pro.

Community Involvement

These 40 points are REQUIRED for each applicant.

All Pro requirements must be completed within 6 months of your Hello Artist application in order to be considered for Hello Pro.

Pro Requirements