Celebrate America's 250th With Your Best Images
250th Photo Contest
The Professional Photographers of West Virginia invites photographers across the state to share their strongest work in celebration of this milestone event. This contest is designed to spotlight creativity, elevate the craft of photography, and bring our West Virginia photography community together.
Anyone with a love or passion for photography may enter images in the contest taken in West Virginia between July 2 to July 6, 2026, in the following categories:
- Landscape/Nature – Imagery of scenic views, wildlife, etc. of the natural world. These can include grand scenics of sweeping vistas, tight compositions on smaller natural scenes (flowers, etc.), abstract nature highlighting natural structures, patterns, etc., dynamic elements capturing active weather, fog, water, etc., and/or wildlife (non-domesticated animals).
- People – Imagery that captures the character, emotions, and essence of individuals/groups. These can include studio portraits, environmental portraits, and candid portraits captured during street photography and event coverage.
- Places & Events – Imagery capturing the candid energy of gatherings and the unique character of local venues and events.
There is no entry fee.
Submit your Imagery!
Participants can submit up to five (5) images in any category or combination of categories they chose. Deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time Sunday, July 12, 2026. Images must be submitted in high-resolution JPEG format, must be taken in West Virginia between July 2 to July 6, 2026, and must contain metadata including date the image was captured, the location the image was captured, and contact information of the photographer (name, address, phone, email). See below for exact submission details.
Judging
Submitted imagery will be judged by members of the Professional Photographers of West Virginia for technical excellence (focus, lighting), composition (leading lines, framing), originality, and emotional impact.
Winners will be announced on or about August 1, 2026.
Winners
Each category will have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner and two honorable mentions who will receive a certificate of achievement for their entries. Winning imagery from each category will then compete for overall Best of Show.
The overall Best of Show 1st Place winner will receive $100.00, 2nd Place will receive $50.00, and 3rd Place will receive $25.00. Best of Show winners will also receive a large professional print of their winning image.
Category and Best of Show winning images will be displayed on the Professional Photographers of West Virginia website and social media pages. Winning images and photographer information will also be distributed statewide via a press release. Winners may also be invited to attend an awards banquet at the PPWV Fall Seminar in Summersville, WV, Sept. 12, 2026.
Winning Category and Best of Show images submitted in the competition may also be eligible for inclusion in a printed book published by the PPWV later in 2026.
Submit Your Entry Today
Professional Photographers of West Virginia Contest Entry
The 250th Photo Contest offers photographers a professional way to gain visibility, celebrate their work, and participate in a respected West Virginia photography community event.
Contest Categories:
Landscape/Nature
- Scenic landscapes and vistas
- Wildlife and nature photography
- Flowers and plant life
- Weather, water, fog, and other natural phenomena
- Abstract interpretations of the natural world
People
- Studio portraits
- Environmental portraits
- Candid portraits
- Images that capture personality, emotion, and human connection
Places & Events
- Community celebrations
- Festivals and public gatherings
- Historic locations and landmarks
- Images that capture the character and spirit of West Virginia places and events
Entry Requirements:
- Images must be photographed in West Virginia between July 2, 2026, and July 6, 2026.
- There is no entry fee.
- Each participant may submit up to five (5) images total in any category or combination of categories.
- Images must be submitted as high-resolution JPEG files. (Minimum 2MB)
- Submission deadline is 11:59 PM EDT on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
Required Metadata:
Each submitted image must contain metadata including:
- Photographer's name
- Mailing address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Date the image was captured
- Location where the image was captured
Upload Instructions:
Before uploading, please rename each file using the following format:
LastName_FirstName_Category_ImageTitle.jpg
Example:
Smith_Jane_Landscape_BlackwaterFallsSunrise.jpg
Please indicate the category for each image during the upload process.
Additional Information:
For contest rules and updates, visit PPWV.org or the Friends of PPWV Facebook Group at Friends of PPWV Facebook Group.
A Celebration of West Virginia Photographers
The Professional Photographers of West Virginia is proud to create opportunities that support both the art and the business of photography. This contest is a chance to recognize the talent, dedication, and professional growth of photographers across West Virginia while strengthening connections within our community.
We appreciate every photographer who continues to contribute to our industry, share knowledge, and raise the standard for photography in our state.