About
Outstanding young photographers are honored through our annual juried exhibition and award ceremony
Submission
Open May 2027
Event
Nov 2027
Submitting Photographs
ASAP!’s 16th annual Celebration of Young Photographers invites students in grades 6-12 to submit their photographs for a chance to participate in a juried art exhibition. A panel of professional photographers selects 60 photos for a public exhibition, recognizing the top four photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.
2026 TOP SELECTS
DYLAN’S WINGS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
The Walk Between – London Gilfilian-Black, gr. 12, Avon Old Farms, CT
Bond Between Generations – Bowen Deng, gr. 8, Indian Mountain School, CT
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Spectators – Electra Kazanas, gr. 12, The Taft School, CT
The Finishing Touch – Uma Wang, gr. 8, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD
Fans – Charlie Rancourt, gr. 11, Newtown High School, CT
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Draped in Devotion – Nandini Bhattacharya, gr. 8, Kunskapsskolan Gurgaon, HI
Plane – Axel Castanares, gr. 7, Sports & Medical Sciences Academy, CT
Apple Harvest – Caleb Crimmins, gr. 7, Rumsey Hall School, CT
Goated Tradition – Daniel Engstler, gr. 7, Homeschool, CT
Remarkable Holiness From Simple Earth – Diya Jampal, gr. 6, STEM Magnet at Annie Fisher School, CT
A Timeless Tradition – Camelia Kapuruge, gr. 7, Dodd Middle School, CT
An Endless Traditional Bond – Khushal Sai Kothakota, gr. 7, AF STEM School, CT
Driven By Tradition – Bennett Metz, gr. 8, Woodbury Middle School, CT
Heavenly Light – Brennan Paine, gr. 6, The Fessenden School, MA
HIGH SCHOOL
Self Development – Bill Aishman, gr. 12, Greenwich Country Day School, CT
Seldon’s Neck – Nolan Beichner, gr. 11, Avon Old Farms, CT
Standing Proud – Lillie Bergmeier, gr. 10, Wooster School, Danbury CT, CT
Where Light Falls – Maddie Bergson-Conklin, gr. 10, Cupola Academy, PA
The Racers – Ella DiElsi, gr. 10, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Firework – Domenic DiStefano, gr. 11, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Cranberry On – Marissa Donath, gr. 12, Tolland High School, CT
Senbazuru – Kian Edibam, gr. 10, King School, CT
Between Two Selves – Gabriel Fahlstedt, gr. 11, Avon Old Farms, CT
The Deer Skull Smasher – Faye Ferrara Pelosi, gr. 10, Lakeview High School, Region 20, Litchfield, CT
Windows Down – Bryce Gilbert, gr. 11, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Rings Of Generations – Gemma Hedrei, gr. 11, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Trapped By Tradition – Maria Helou, gr. 12, Westover School, CT
The Big Game – Nina Hernández, gr. 10, Jonathan Law, CT
Out In The Garden – Sophia Johnson, gr. 10, New Milford High School, CT
Empanadas, Family, and Chilean Independence – Kaya Jones, gr. 10, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Healing CC – Emily Kaye, gr. 12, Hamden High School, CT
Bicycle – Madelyn Krett, gr. 9, Fredrick Gunn School, CT
The Unspoken Game – Simon LaSala, gr. 12, Simsbury High School, CT
Flying Pink – Evan Lennon, gr. 12, Amity Regional High School, CT
Hartford Horizons – Oliver Lind, gr. 11, CREC Academy of Computer Science and Engineering, CT
Summer Angels – Allison Mannello, gr. 9, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Sauce – Vincent Matozzo, gr. 11, Nonnewaug High School, CT
53 Year Drought – Jaden Ortega, gr. 11, The Taft School, NY
Torero – Amaia Potashner, gr. 11, Hall High School, CT
Apparition – Memphis Ramirez, gr. 12, Westover School, CT
The Dance We Carry – Lila Rogers, gr. 12, Nonnewaug High School, CT
Holiday Magic – Eliana Rosenfield, gr. 12, Farmington High School, CT
Etched in Stone – Anthony Silvestro, gr. 12, Avon Old Farms School, CT
The Chaos To Get Ready – Madelin St. Marie, gr. 11, Nonnewaug High School, CT
A Blessing – Higen Teixeira, gr. 11, Woodland Regional High School, CT
Learning Numbers – Cameron Thomas, gr. 12, Avon Old Farms, CT
After the Coin Toss – Calder Troutman, gr. 11, Somerset Berkley Regional High School, MA
Decimation – Joseph Vasaturo, gr. 11, Northwestern Regional High School #7, CT
Shining Bright – Lorehna Vega, gr. 9, Nonnewaug High School, CT
A Piece of Childhood – Gabrielle Wagner, gr. 10, Simsbury High School, CT
Roots – Keela Walsh, gr. 12, Westover School, CT
Blue and Black – Summer Wang, gr. 12, Westover School, CT
Cyanoself – Charlotte Yang, gr. 10, Westover School, CT
My Ethnic Minority Group – Jingqi Yang, gr. 12, Lexington High School, MA
Woven Through Generations – Jingyue Yang, gr. 12, Lexington High School, MA
Where the Wind Remembers – Fangji Yin, gr. 11, Kent School, CT
Harvest – Ryan Yu, gr. 10, Avon Old Farms School, CT
Make A Wish – Camryn Zelinsky, gr. 10, RHAM High School, CT
Ignition – Allen Zhang, gr. 11, Frederick Gunn, CT
Cradling Tomorrow – Zhaoyang Zhang, gr. 11, Iroquois Ridge High School, MT
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Rules for Submission:
- Photos must be original and adhere to the theme described above
- Up to two (2) submissions per entrant will be accepted
- Diptychs and triptychs are not permitted
- All submissions must be originally captured by the entrant using a camera or similar photographic device. AI-generated images that create or replace the original content of the photograph are not permitted.
- Submissions will be scored based on the following: expression of theme, creativity or uniqueness of concept, composition, lighting, and technical knowledge
- Submissions must be accompanied by a 1-2 sentence description of your photograph(s)
File Requirements:
- Submissions must be 15-25MB, and 3,200-4,000 pixels on the longest side
- Submissions must be saved in JPEG format
Submission files must be labeled as follows: lastname_firstname_title_grade.jpg (Ex: doe_jane_myhouse_9.jpg) - Photos may be created with any type of camera including smartphones, DSLRs, and traditional film cameras
Photo editing is permitted
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
Photography is about your perspective, not how much you know. Our judges are professionals, and they’re still learning just like you!
It doesn’t matter if you’re in 6th grade or 12th the judges meet you where you are. If you made a bold or interesting choice, even a simple one, that counts just as much as someone with years of experience. The question judges will be asking is: “Are you challenging yourself and going beyond what feels safe or easy?”
You don’t need a professional camera or perfect settings. You need a genuine perspective on the theme and enough care to let that perspective show in your image.
Here’s what judges score:
Originality — Does your image show your own point of view? Originality doesn’t mean an unusual subject — it means seeing something in a way only you would.
Exploration of theme — How deeply did you engage with the theme of Traditions? The strongest images go beyond documenting a tradition to exploring what it means.
Technical knowledge — Framing, composition, perspective, and light all shape the final image. Do your technical choices serve your creative vision?
What does Traditions mean to you personally? What would only you notice about this tradition? What feeling do you want the viewer to have? What could you try that feels a little risky?
Theme:
Announced Spring 2027
Eligibility:
Grades 6-12
Submissions:
Submissions open May 2027
Submissions are now closed.
