School Photographers of America launches SPOA + SONY Student Photo Contest

School Photographers of America announced the launch of the SPOA + SONY Student Photo Contest for middle school and high school student photographers. This contest is open to all students in Grades 6-12 from public, private, and home schools in the United States. The price is a Sony Alpha 7 III, one per category.

The deadline to submit photos is May 5. There is no entry fee.

Images can be submitted in the following 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.

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).

Candid Photo

Purpose: Shows unposed, authentic moments to reflect real student life.
Characteristics: Natural, spontaneous, often humorous or heartfelt.

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).

Environmental Portrait

Purpose: Places a subject in their natural setting to tell a personal story.
Characteristics: Combines portraiture with background context (e.g., an artist at an easel, a teacher in a classroom).

Reaction Shot

Purpose: Captures emotion in response to an event, adding human connection.
Characteristics: Expressive faces, often candid, tied to a specific moment.

Establishing Shot

Purpose: Sets the scene or context for the spread’s story.
Characteristics: Wide-angle, shows location or scale (e.g., a packed gym, the school exterior).

Here are the winners of the 2024 spring contest.