CANDACE FREELAND PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award
A National Smartphone Photography Contest for Youth & Young Adults

Presented by The Mitford Museum at The HUB Station Arts Center

📷 Calling all young photographers!

The Mitford Museum proudly presents the 2026 Candace Freeland Photography of Merit Award, a national smartphone photography contest for U.S. photographers ages 8–22. Inspired by the legacy of award-winning photojournalist Candace Freeland, this annual competition encourages participants to slow down, observe the world around them, and tell meaningful stories through photography.

This year’s theme, “Food and Family,” invites participants to capture the connections, traditions, and everyday moments that bring people together. Whether it’s a favorite family recipe, a shared meal, or a candid gathering, let your smartphone lens tell the story.

🖤 About the Contest:

Theme: Food and Family

Open to: U.S. photographers ages 8–22

Categories: Black & White and Color

Medium: Smartphone photography only

Contest Opens: May 1, 2026

Entry Deadline: September 1, 2026 (Midnight)

Entry Format: One photo per category (photos must be different if entering both)

🏆 Awards:
Distinguished jurors will select a Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up in both the Black & White and Color categories. A People’s Choice Award will also be selected through public voting. All participants are invited to attend the Winners’ Reception at The Mitford Museum on October 9, 2026.

🌟 Honoring Candace Freeland

The Photography of Merit Award was established in memory of Candace Freeland—an award-winning photographer and visual storyteller who believed in the power of a single image to inspire understanding and connection. Her guiding philosophy, “Stop. Look.”, continues to encourage young photographers to pause, observe, and capture the world through a thoughtful and creative lens.

📸 Ready to Enter?

Whether you’re just discovering photography or already love taking pictures with your smartphone, this contest is an opportunity to share your perspective and celebrate the stories that connect us through food, family, and community.

Contest Opens: May 1, 2026
Deadline: September 1, 2026, at Midnight
Host: The Mitford Museum
Enter Contest: https://woobox.com/taj4kp