2026 Carolina Photography Competition

Description

Call For Entries. (Entries Open 5/15/26)
The call for entries is now open and entries may be submitted no later than 5pm on 7/31/2026. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.All entries will be reviewed for acceptance by the organizers. Images will not be accepted with political or religious messaging, nude,  violent connotations, commercial photography, or any other  controversial overtones as deemed by the organizers.This is an Open Competition.There are no date limitations for an image. In an effort to promote the creation of new work and maintain a fresh flow of ideas, we encourage you to submit new work.Iredell Photography Club Members can submit up to three images for $35.00. Non members can submit up to three images for $50.00. Once a submission fee has been paid, there are no refunds provided.
Entry Process 
Registration, payment and submission of digital images will be online by clicking the “Register & Apply” button at the top of this page, then  following the instructions.Notices of acceptance will be emailed 8/4/26.Accepted entries must be wired for hanging with the longest framed edge not exceeding 48 inches.  Images must not have watermarks or signatures.All work must be original and created by the submitting photographer. No AI generated entries will be accepted.Intake of all framed prints is Friday 9/11/26 from 5pm to 7:30pm and Saturday 9/12/26 from 2:30pm to 4pm at Lake Mountain Coffee, 110 W.Broad St., Statesville, NC 28677. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places with corresponding amounts of $250, $150 and $100. Additionally three Honorable Mention awards will be given,
Award Ceremony
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony and also notified via e-mail. Winners will also be announced on the Iredell Photography Club website and Facebook page.The Award Ceremony will be held Friday evening 9/18/26 from 6pm to 7:30pm with light refreshments provided. A cash bar featuring beer, wine and coffee will be available at Lake Mountain Coffee.All submissions will remain on public display until Sunday until 10/9/26.All framed prints must be picked up by Saturday 10/10/26 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm and Sunday 10/11/26 from 2:30pm to 5pm at Lake Mountain Coffee.
Judges:
Amanda Caldwell, MFA is an international award winning professional wedding and Portrait photographer located in Statesville, NC. She attended Lenoir Rhyne University, Hickory, NC with a BS in Psychology and Fine Art.  Amanda’s creations capture the soul of the person transforming her work into fine art. Her portraits have been featured in several national and international publications, print media, several books, and blogs.
Website https://www.acaldwellphoto.com/portfolio
 
Tony Griffin, is an accomplished artist and photographer. He is a classically trained oil painter with a solid foundation in academic drawing. In 1970 while living in Florence, Italy he attended the American International School of Florence for four years. Additionally, Tony studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem and at the 
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia for his degree. Tony's art influenced his photography by transforming the camera into a painters brush shaping his composition, light and shadow while moving beyond reality to convey emotion.
Website https://www.tonygriffinartist.com/about
 
 
RULES & FAQ OF THE 2026 ANNUAL CAROLINA PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
IMAGE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES  
This is an Open Competition. You may submit work that has been previously submitted, or that has won an award. There are no date limitations for an image. In an effort to promote the creation of new work and maintain a fresh flow of ideas, we encourage you to submit new work.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS
The organizers reserve the right to to remove any  photograph that does not comply with the requirements stated in the Call for Entry. Additionally, the photograph must not infringe upon copyright, trademark, and any third person’s creation.for acceptance will be emailed by 8/4/26. 
HOW WILL MY FRAMED IMAGES BE USED  
Your images will NEVER be used for any purpose other than for the IREDELL PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB 2026 ANNUAL CAROLINA PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION.
LIABILITY:
Iredell Photography Club will do everything possible to keep each piece safe. However, submission of an entry is at the artist’s own risk.

If you would like more information about Iredell Photography Club, Click the Link below:https://www.iredellphoto.com 
Entry Process Tutorial