WHO CAN ENTER?
This contest is open to all students in Grades 6-12 from public, private, and home schools in the United States. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just getting started, we want to see YOUR unique perspective!
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Your images should represent one of the exciting categories:
Dominant Photo
Purpose: Acts as the visual anchor of the spread, drawing immediate attention.
Characteristics: Largest image, high-impact, often action-packed or emotionally resonant.
Example: A wide shot of a championship-winning moment or a packed homecoming crowd.
Action Shot
Purpose: Captures movement or energy, showcasing key moments.
Characteristics: Dynamic, mid-motion, often candid (e.g., a player diving, a performer mid-leap).
Example: A basketball dunk or a marching band in step.
Candid Photo
Purpose: Shows unposed, authentic moments to reflect real student life.
Characteristics: Natural, spontaneous, often humorous or heartfelt.
Example: Friends laughing in the hallway or a student reacting to a pep rally prank.
Detail Shot
Purpose: Zooms in on small, telling elements to add depth or context.
Characteristics: Close-up, focused on objects or subtle expressions (e.g., hands holding a diploma, a mascot’s face).
Example: A close-up of a prom corsage or a muddy cleat after a game.
Reaction Shot
Purpose: Captures emotion in response to an event, adding human connection.
Characteristics: Expressive faces, often candid, tied to a specific moment.
Example: A student’s shock at a surprise award or fans cheering in the stands.
How to Enter
✔ Capture Original Images – Only photos taken during the current school year, are eligible.
✔ Follow Submission Guidelines – Each image file should be named: LastName_FirstName_Category_ImageNumberOrTitle (e.g., Smith_John_WinterSports_1.jpg). Entries without proper file names may not be considered.
✔ Respect Photojournalistic Editing Standards – Minor edits like cropping, color, and exposure adjustments are allowed. However, AI-generated images or heavy digital manipulation are not permitted.
✔ Submit before the Deadline – Late submissions will not be accepted, so check the deadlines below!
✔ Limit Your Entries – Each entrant can submit up to two images per category. Want to enter multiple categories? Just submit a separate entry form for each one!
WHY ENTER?
National Recognition – Compete with top student photographers and have your work seen by industry professionals.
Enhance Your Portfolio – Perfect for college applications, yearbooks, and personal growth!
Professional-Level Judging – Your photos will be evaluated by the SPOA Educational Committee using the 12 Elements of a Merit Image - the same standard used by professional photographers!
No Entry Fee – It’s completely FREE to enter, so there’s no reason to miss out!
Are you ready to showcase your photography skills and compete for national recognition?
The School Photographers of America (SPOA) Student Photographer Contest presented in partnership with Sony will open on February 2, 2026 to all middle and high school students across the U.S.! This is your chance to capture the best moments of the school year, tell a story through your lens, and compete against the best young photographers in the country.
School Photographers of America is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 SPOA + Sony Student Photo Contest! With over 1,000 submissions from talented student photographers across the country, this year’s contest showcased an incredible range of creativity, technical skill, and storytelling power. From striking action shots to quiet, emotional moments, these students used their lenses to share compelling perspectives on the world around them.
Congratulations to our Winners
Action Shot – Lauren Lubee
Candid Shot – Jasmine Nguyen
Detail Shot – Kali Crandall
Dominant Photo – Sarah Fitzgerald
Environmental Shot – Jack Fish
Establishing Shot – Elijah Morrow
Reaction Shot – Kyler Carter
Judges’ Choice Honorable Mentions:
Anna Grace Redd, Bryce Walker and Riley McIvor
We are deeply grateful to our partner Sony for their generous donation of cameras to this year’s winners. Their support is helping empower the next generation of visual storytellers to keep creating, exploring, and growing in their craft. Congratulations again to all our winners, and thank you to every student who submitted work to this inspiring celebration of school photography!
2025 Student Photo Contest Winners
SCHOOL
SPORTS
STUDENT
LIFE
CREATIVE
HOW WILL YOUR PHOTOS BE JUDGED?
All images will be judged by the SPOA Student Educational Committee based on the 12 Elements of a Merit Image, which include:
Impact – Does your photo make a strong emotional impression?
Technical Excellence – Is it sharp, well-exposed, and properly composed?
Creativity – Does it show originality and unique perspective?
Style – Does it reflect your personal artistic touch?
Composition – Is the framing and subject placement effective?
Presentation – Are the finishing touches polished and professional?
Color Balance – Do the colors enhance the image’s mood and clarity?
Center of Interest – Does your photo have a clear focal point?
Lighting – Is the light used effectively to highlight the subject?
Subject Matter – Is the subject compelling and meaningful?
Technique – Have you demonstrated strong camera skills?
Storytelling – Does your image convey a strong message or narrative?
Notice: Our Student Photo Contest Entry Form is currently not working properly on mobile devices. Please use a desktop or laptop computer to submit your entry. We’re working to fix the issue—thanks for your patience!
The Ultimate Student Photography
Contest is Here!
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE!
If you have a camera (or even just a phone) and a passion for capturing unforgettable moments, this is YOUR TIME TO GET READY! Whether you love action shots, emotional portraits, or artistic compositions, we want to see your best work.
Take the shot. Be a part of something bigger!
Submissions will open up on February 2, 2026. Submission deadline is April 1, 2026.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE!
If you have a camera (or even just a phone) and a passion for capturing unforgettable moments, this is YOUR TIME TO ENTER! Whether you love action shots, emotional portraits, or artistic compositions, we want to see your best work.
Take the shot. Submit your best. Be a part of something bigger!
Submission deadline is April 1, 2026 and winners will be announced on April 15, 2026!
ENTER NOW and show the world what you can create!
Show us your progress by using #SPOASonyContest on all social media!