2025 Photo Contest
Submissions Open July 1 - 31, 2025!
Show us why you love where you live! Submit your photos for a chance to win—or sign up to help select this year’s favorites by joining our volunteer review committee. We can’t wait to see how our community captures the South Sound.
Love Where You Live
We’re thrilled to announce the return of our Summer Photo Contest—an invitation to showcase what makes the South Sound home. This year’s theme, Love Where You Live, is all about capturing the everyday beauty, meaningful moments, and special places that make our communities shine.
From quiet trails and bustling farmers markets to neighborhood traditions and acts of kindness, we want to see how you experience and express your love for where you live.
Photographers of all levels are welcome to submit images that reflect the heart and soul of our region. Selected photos may be featured in our publications, online platforms, and future storytelling efforts.
Show us what makes the South Sound so easy to love!
How to Participate
Participating in this exciting new contest is easy! Click on the "Submit Your Photos" button to access our online submission form. Please review and adhere to the Photo Contest Guidelines when submitting your entry to make sure that it is eligible for consideration. This will help us ensure the quality and fairness of the contest.
Submission Categories:
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Community Celebrations & People:
This category is a unique opportunity to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of your community. Who makes up your community? What makes your community vibrant? Share photos of iconic events, community celebrations or gatherings, and the individuals that make up your community.
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Landscape & Wildlife:
How does nature enrich your community? Share photos of the farmland, lakes, mountains, forests, wildlife, or other natural wonders. This could also include cityscapes and the iconic murals and buildings that are representative of your community.
Nonprofit Mission in Action:
Who serves your community? Share images of your favorite nonprofit in action.
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Youth Category (Ages 0-17):
What do you love about where you live? Take a photo and share it with us. This category is open to photographers ages 0-17, and a Parental or Guardian Permission Consent Form must be included in their submission.
Who can enter?
The photo contest is open to residents of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties, as well as photographers from outside these areas whose photos were taken here. There is no fee to enter.
Prizes
The winner of each category will receive a $250 cash prize or have the option to spread the love and donate their award as a grant to a nonprofit of their choosing, as well as a canvas of their winning photo. The second-place winner of each category will receive a $100 cash prize or have the option to donate their award as a grant to a nonprofit of their choosing, and the third-place winner of each category will receive a $50 cash prize or have the option to donate their award as a grant to a nonprofit of their choosing.
Important Dates for 2025:
- July 1: Photo Contest Opens for Submissions
- July 31: Photo Contest & Committee Interest Forms Close at midnight PDT
- Mid-August: Photo Contest Review Committee members will receive virtual access to the judging form to help select 3 winners in each Photo Contest category.
- September: Contestants will be notified of decisions, and a showcase will be posted on our website.
2025 Photo Contest
Submissions for our second annual Photo Contest are open July 1–31! We can’t wait to see the moments, places, and stories our community members capture through their lenses this year.
Questions?
Contact Mary Lam-Witcher, Philanthropy & Communications Officer, at mary@thecommunityfoundation.com or give us a call us at 360.705.3340.
2024 Photo Contest Showcase 🎉
Are you looking for last year's winning showcase? Check it out here and congrats again to the winners!