2026 Carolina Photography Competition

Description

IREDELL PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB
2026 Annual Carolina Photography Competition
DON'T MISS THIS CHANCE TO ENTER THE REGION’S PREEMINENT DISPLAY OF PHOTOGRAPHIC TALENT
 
 
Thank you to our Sponsors:

 
PROSPECTUS
Call For Entry
The call for entry is now open and entries may be submitted until close of entries at 5pm on Fri. 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.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.

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.Prior to intake, log-on to your ArtCall Submissions page and print each Artwork Label. Affix the "Submission Back Label" to the back of each framed entry.Intake of all framed images 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. 

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 Friday 10/9/26.All framed images 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.

Judge:
Clayton Joe Young
Clayton Joe Young, a photographer and Director of Photography at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, North Carolina. Mr. Young earned an MFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Clayton is a widely acclaimed published author and award-winning photographer whose work has been exhibited throughout the United States in solo and juried group exhibitions.
As an educator Clayton Joe is passionate about giving back his technical as well as his photographic creativity to his students. He explains, “I enjoy helping students and community members find their creative voice, build confidence behind the camera, and see the world in new ways.” We are in a world of cell phones and cameras where people are more concerned with “Likes.” Clayton’s sums up his Artistic Statement behind the lens this way, “Photography isn’t about taking pictures, it’s about building connections and sharing stories that matter.”
As a photographer, Mr. Young uses his documentary yet poetic lens to capture the quiet resilience and enduring beauty of the Appalachian South. His work explores the profound connection between people and their surroundings, honoring the textures of memory, landscape, and tradition that define the Southern experience.
Clayton Joe, educator and professional artistic photographer has the comprehensive experience judging photographic competitions, and critiquing student portfolios. As a result his critical eye will not only capture the technical side of the image but its emotional connection as the entrants expresstheir vision.

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. 
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
If unfamiliar with artcall.org, please watch this quick tutorial to help with the submission process!