Photography Contest

18th Annual Amateur Photography Contest

Contest Opens: September 16 at 9 a.m.

Contest Closes: October 24 at 11:59 p.m.

Upload up to three photos (total) in the categories of Animals, Architecture, Landscape, and People. Digital uploading will be available through this web page. 

First-place winners will receive a $250 credit towards Commons Studio photography equipment rentals. 'Best in Show' will receive a $300 gift certificate for a local photography store.

This contest is for amateur photographers only. Professional photographers are not eligible. For the purpose of this contest, a professional is anyone who receives payment for photographic services or workshops (full or part-time).

2024 Contest Judges

ANIMALS

Adrienne Zoe

Adrienne Zoe is an award-winning fine art and nature photographer based in Waterloo.  She finds meaning in her photography by promoting appreciation of nature, bringing awareness to and supporting conservation.  She’s committed to donating a percentage of nature sales proceeds to nature conservation charities.

ARCHITECTURE

Shaquille DePeazer 

Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Shaquille regularly shoots street photography covering many other styles while doing so, including architecture, urban exploration, portraits, landscapes. He also works as a graphic designer and operates a branding service called Pease.

LANDSCAPE

Mark Walton

Photographer Mark Walton is the founder of the foto:RE collective and the editor of foto:RE|VIEW magazine. He was a director and curator of FLASH: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY HERE, an award-winning festival of photography held in Waterloo Region 2015-2017. He is the curator of The Stanley Rosenthall Collection of photography and the author of COMPLICITY, an autobiographical photographic exploration of the life of a reluctant colonialist. He has written for foto:RE|VIEW and PhotoED Magazine, and also sits on their editorial committee.

Mark founded and is the director and editor of curated. by The COVERT Collective, a gathering of curators from across the country showcasing the work of fine artists of many disciplines.

PEOPLE

Lawrence  O. Fajardo

 More than fifteen years ago, Lawrence began his photography adventure with an entry-level DSLR. His hands-on approach to learning, coupled with keen observation, instills in him a deep appreciation for each individual's uniqueness. When he engages with people through his camera, a genuine connection unfolds. Through his storytelling lens, he illuminates the beauty nestled within life's small yet profound moments and connects with his subjects personally to convey rich narratives in his work, finding beauty in everyday moments and the diversity of life.

View the winning photographs from the 17th Annual Amateur Photography Contest in the gallery below!