CELEBRATION

OF YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS

GRADES 6-12

Jamison Matthew Grasping Hands

Shared Serenity by Benji Critton, 12th grade. 2024 top selected photo.

ASAP!’s 15th 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 photos and their photographers for their outstanding and thoughtful work based on the yearly theme.

This year’s theme is Transformation. Transformation means change or renewal. We see transformation all around us. For example, a raspberry turns quickly to mold on a hot day, while a civilization transforms slowly as people invent and share ideas. Transformation also happens in our minds and bodies when we learn new things or talk with friends. It happens to a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly. How is transformation happening in your life today? How can you represent that change through a photograph?

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

  • Photos must be original and should adhere to the theme described above
  • Up to two (2) submissions per entrant will be accepted
  • Diptychs and triptychs are not permitted
  • Submissions must be 25MB or smaller, and be in JPEG form.
  • Photos may be created with any type of camera including smartphones, DSLRs, and traditional film cameras
  • Photo editing is 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)

SUBMISSIONS

August 1 – October 1, 2025
Submission link coming in August

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 CYP AWARD RECIPIENTS

Dylan’s Wings Photography Awards
High School – Rui Wang, Grandmother’s Love Language, Miss Porter’s School, Grade 12
Middle School – Kian Edibam, Swan Lake, Ridgefield Academy, Grade 8

Honorable Mention
High School – Allen Yan, Different Journeys, Avon Old Farms School, Grade 12
Middle School – Ameliia Yerenkova, Simple Outskirts of this World, Middlebrook School, Grade 7

Viewer’s Choice
Suri Sanchez, Picturesque, Newington High School, Grade 11

VIEW THE 2024 TOP SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHERS

FOLLOW THE YOUNGPHOTOGRAPHERS INSTAGRAM

WHERE

Hartford Art School
Silpe Gallery
200 Bloomfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06117

WHEN

Exhibition Sunday, November 2, 2025
2:00pm-3:30pm

COST

Free, pre-registration required.

VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE 14TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

ASAP!’s 14th Annual Celebration of Young Photographers is made possible in part by The Jean and Julien Levy Foundation for the Arts, and:

students smiling on swing at summer program

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMP

JUNE - AUGUST 2025

Enriching summer activities for grades 1-12.

Celebration of Young Writers

BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR

2024 - 2025 EVENTS

Reap the benefits of supporting the arts in our community!

Youth Ensemble participants play violin and viola.

SUBMIT A PIECE OF WRITING

FEBRUARY - APRIL 2025

Students in grades k-12 are invited to share their voice with the public.