ORLEANS – Get your cameras ready! The Orleans Dogwood Festival is thrilled to announce its 2025 Photo Contest, inviting photographers of all skill levels to showcase their talent and capture the beauty of our community.
Whether you’re a budding photographer snapping shots with your phone or a seasoned professional with a full equipment bag, there’s a place for you in this exciting competition. Participants can choose from three distinct skill levels:
- Amateur/Beginner: Perfect for those just starting their photographic journey, using cell phone cameras or simple point-and-shoot devices, with minimal to no editing. This category is all about the joy of capturing moments.
- Intermediate: This level is designed for photographers comfortable with their skills but not considering themselves professionals. It welcomes those who enjoy taking photos for fun, occasionally sharing or selling their work, utilizing intermediate equipment, and engaging in photo editing.
- Advanced: This category is for experienced photographers, including those with their own photography businesses, websites, or watermarks. It is for individuals using advanced equipment and editing techniques, often deriving income or exposure from their photographic endeavors.
The choice of skill level is entirely up to the entrant, but honesty and accuracy in self-assessment are encouraged. The festival welcomes a diverse range of talent and hopes to receive numerous submissions across all categories.
Your photographs’ subject matter is open to your creative interpretation. In each skill level, prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place. Additionally, a special Pride of Orleans award will be given to the photograph that best embodies the spirit and charm of the beloved hometown.
The deadline for submitting your entries is Friday, April 19th. Photos and a $1 entry fee per photograph can be dropped off at the Orleans Town Hall Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If you need to arrange an alternative drop-off time, please contact contest chair Gretchen Nelson.
Following the festival, photos can be picked up from Unity Hall on Saturday, April 26th, after the silent auction concludes, or at the Town Hall during the week. Please note that all photos must be retrieved by the end of the following week.
Entries will be judged by unbiased, out-of-town experts who will evaluate the photographs based on various artistic and technical attributes.
The submitted photographs will be showcased with the Silent Auction, beginning on Thursday, April 24th.
Please note that this contest is only open to residents of Orleans and the surrounding townships. Participants are limited to a maximum of five photographs per person, and each photo may only be entered into one skill level.
Don’t miss this opportunity to share your photographic vision and celebrate the beauty of Orleans! We eagerly await your entries.
