Industry Photographic Competition

Have the signed model release for your entry ready to sumbit!

SPOA's annual photographic competition for professional school photographers is now open! As part of the SPOA Industry Awards, we are looking for the most extraordinary school photographers in our industry. The grand champions will be announced at our annual International Summit for School Photography & Yearbooks on June 26th in Raleigh, NC!

We are thrilled to announce the 5th Annual School Photographers of America Photography Competition, celebrating the artistry and skill of volume photographers from around the world! This prestigious competition showcases the incredible talent within the school and sports photography industry, highlighting the creativity, innovation, and dedication of professionals who capture the moments that matter most. Don't miss your chance to be part of this international showcase of excellence—submit your best work and let your talent shine!

Read the Competition Rules

Entry Categories

Pre-K-8th Graduation: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Pre-K-8th grade student in a volume situation showcasing commencement, promotion, or graduation to the next grade level.
Pre-K – 11th Grade Fall Portrait “Traditional”: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Pre-K – 11th grade Fall portrait of a student showcasing a traditional head and shoulders style of imagery. Submissions must include a human.
Pre-K – 11th Grade Spring Portrait: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Pre-K – 11th grade student in a more creative, non-traditional type of photography. ¾ length, Spring, Modern, Contemporary, etc. images are submitted in this category.
Sports PreK – 11th Grade Individual School Environmental/Location Portraits: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of an athlete showcasing their sport in a volume situation. Traditional sports images will use environment, lighting, posing, and overall photographic ability to create the image. Youth sports/League sports and school sports will compete head-to-head in this category.
Sports PreK – 12th Grade Group Composite: Eligible photographs will consist of a team created from multiple images captured of an athlete showcasing their sport in a volume situation. Composite sports images will be images photographed with any background replacement technology and presented with any graphics or templates. The judging in this category will be weighted more towards the lighting and posing than the graphics or templates, however, the overall impact of all image components will be considered.
Sports PreK – 12th Grade Team – Traditional: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Sports team showcasing their sport. Traditional sports images will use environment, lighting, posing, and overall photographic ability to create the image. Traditional team images can include creative posed teams. Youth sports/League sports and school sports will compete head-to-head in this category.

Seniors Indoor Formal/Cap and Gown: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Senior class of 2025/2026 in traditional “Formal” or a cap and gown as a prop, feature point, or garment choice in a volume situation. “Formal” Images may include any attire and will be judged by traditional portrait standards of lighting and posing.
Senior Indoor Casual: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Senior class of 2025/2026 in any indoor type of environment. Casual setups and studios will compete in this category. Images will be judged on impact, posing, lighting, composition, and storytelling.
Senior Lifestyle/Environmental: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a Senior class of 2025/2026 in any outdoor type of environment in a volume situation. On location in parks, beaches, towns, sports stadiums, images utilizing the interior of a school, etc. showcasing a senior lifestyle type of portrait with judging based on impact, posing, lighting, composition, and storytelling.
Senior Creative/Open: Eligible photographs will consist of an image(s) captured of a senior class of 2025/2026. This entry may contain multiple images on one entry, utilize graphics, utilize templates, etc. Overall image will be judged based on impact with graphics, lighting, and storytelling all included.
Photographer Creative/Open: This category is intended to showcase a photographers work outside of the volume categories listed. Images can include, but are not limited to; landscape, nature, commercial, wedding, photojournalism, street photography, macro photography, etc. No images of inappropriate nature will be accepted.
Live Event Category: Elementary - High Schools: Images in this category will include school events, sports events, graduation events, yearbook candids, etc. Images will be judged on; Technical Excellence, Storytelling, Composition and Impact.