Photo Competition

The 2023 Virginia Climate Center Student Photo Competition

What does climate change look like in Virginia?

The VCC is sponsoring a photo competition in collaboration with the Associated College Press and National Scholastic Press Association to depict climate change and climate change solutions through the lens of high school and college students residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Winning photos will be used to help educate Virginians about the local implications of global climate change and the benefits of climate solutions for us here in the Commonwealth. 

Topics

First, second, and third place awards will be chosen. Monetary prizes are listed below.

Participants may submit up to three photos which will be based on relevance to the listed topics below as well as quality and originality. Relevance of submissions will be judged by VCC staff, photo quality and originality will be judged by George Mason University Professor of Photography J Carrier. We will not be accepting photographs generated by AI or those that are heavily edited.

Virginia’s changing climate and its impacts

Examples: Extreme heat, flooding, coastal erosion

Climate change mitigation solutions in Virginia

Examples: Solar panels, wind turbines, net zero buildings

Climate change adaptation solutions in Virginia

Examples: Cooling stations, urban green zones, permeable surfaces

Community engagement

Examples: Local gardens, environmental organization activities

First place winner will be awarded a cash prize of $500 USD.

Second place winner will be awarded a cash prize of $300 USD.

Third place winner will be awarded a cash prize of $200 USD.

Click here to access the submission portal.

The submission portal will open September 1, 2023 on the NSPA website and close March 1, 2024. Winners will be announced March 2024 and will be individually informed via email.

By submitting photos, participants give the Virginia Climate Center permission to include their photos in the Center’s communication materials, share them on digital platforms, and be used to advertise future photo competitions. All photographers will be credited appropriately. Winners may also be asked to participate in an interview for the Center’s blog Virginia Climate Voices.

FAQs

  • All high school and college students residing within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

  • All participants can submit up to three photos and need not be in the same topic.

  • The online submission portal will open September 1, 2023. Click here to access the submission portal.

  • Yes. By submitting your photos, you give VCC permission to use them in our communications materials and channels with appropriate crediting to the photographer. Winners may also be asked to contribute to a post in VCC’s Virginia Climate Voices blog.

  • Photographs must be submitted via the online portal and the deadline has been extended to March 1, 2024. Winners will be announced March 2024.