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Push your creative boundaries. Elevate your photography. Earn recognition for your work.
Great photography deserves to be seen. The PPC State Image Competition gives photographers an opportunity to challenge themselves, learn from qualified judges, and showcase their artistic vision among California’s photographic community.
Whether you’re entering for the first time or pursuing your next professional achievement, this is your opportunity to take your photography further.
Annually, PPC hosts a State Image Competition. The competition is held on www.printcompetition.com and is judged remotely by qualified PPA judges. Whether you’re an established professional, an emerging photographer, or someone passionate about creating exceptional images, the PPC State Image Competition offers an opportunity to challenge yourself and participate in a professional photographic competition.
Anyone may enter, however, PPC membership is required for eligibility for competition awards. Membership may also provide access to additional educational and professional-development opportunities. Meriting images submitted by PPC members may be applied towards PPC professional degrees.
WHY ENTER?
Challenge Your Creativity
See your photography in a new light. Competition encourages you to experiment, refine your ideas, and push beyond your usual creative boundaries.
Learn From Qualified Judges
Discover how experienced judges evaluate photographic images. Their observations can help you recognize strengths, identify opportunities for improvement, and approach future projects with a fresh perspective.
Earn Recognition for Your Work
Celebrate your accomplishments and gain recognition for your photographic vision. Compete for available awards and honors recognizing excellence across the competition.
Invest in Your Professional Growth
Use competition as part of your continuing photographic education. Qualifying merits may also contribute toward PPC professional degrees, subject to the applicable program requirements.
HOW TO ENTER?
1. SELECT YOUR IMAGES
Choose photographs that represent your vision, technical skill, and creative intent.
2. REGISTER YOUR ENTRIES
Review the current rules, select the appropriate categories, and submit your images through the designated competition platform.
3. LET THE JUDGING BEGIN
Qualified judges evaluate submitted images according to the competition’s established standards.
4. LEARN FROM THE CRITIQUES
Review available judges’ comments to understand how your images were evaluated and where you may be able to improve.
| Downloadable .pdf of the 12 Elements of a Merit Image | 12 Elements |
| Downloadable .pdf of Image Scoring | Scoring Ranges |
Download the competition rules below for information about pricing and entry requirements.
2027 Rules & Requirements Coming Soon!For more information contact, James Adams, the State Image Competition chair at: images@jamesadamsphotography.com
2026 Results Below
Image Critiques: Entrants wishing to view the second day image critiques completed for all images entered, may request a link to the video by emailing: ppcexecadm@gmail.com, with “State Image Critiques Request” in the subject line. Please make your request from the same email account you used to register for image competition.
Premium www.printcompetition.com members can hear the audio critique for their specific images on their profile at printcompetition.com as well.
2026 PPC State Image Competition Results