This is bit of a rhetorical question around ethics.

If a photographer took a photo they have the right to enter it wherever they see fit, but in the context of a photography club. If they didn’t organise the model, played no part in organising the set, theme or lighting positions (in fact they were probably told what iso and aperture to use) they didn’t direct the model or anything else up to the point of composing the photo and pressuring the shutter button, should that photo still be eligible for awards?

The specific photo I have in mind has the majority of its creativity in the pose of the model and a particular technique / accessory to create a particular emotion. I feel like this is dishonest on the part of the photographer. I wouldn’t enter photos that aren’t 100% their own work.