U.S. photographers aged 8-22 are invited to enter black and white or color photos taken via cellphone based on the theme: FOOD AND FAMILY. Distinguished judges will select a Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up for each category, and a People's Choice Award will be voted on by the public.

Entries will be divided into two age groups:

Ages 8-15

Category Color: Grand Prize - $500 | Runner-Up - $250 | People's Choice - $250

Category B/W: Grand Prize - $500 | Runner-Up - $250 | People's Choice - $250

Ages 16-22

Category Color: Grand Prize - $500 | Runner-Up - $250 | People's Choice - $250

Category B/W: Grand Prize - $500 | Runner-Up - $250 | People's Choice - $250

RULES:

1. Contest opening date May 01, 2026.
2. Open to U.S. residents aged 8-22.
3. Photos must be taken via cellphone.
4. Participants may submit 1 photo to one or both categories - if submitting to both categories, photos must be markedly different, i.e. the same photo cannot be submitted in both color and B/W.
5. If submitting in both categories, the participant will be considered for only one award by the judging panel. This does not include the People's Choice Award.
6. Photos must be submitted into the correct age group. Any photos submitted into the incorrect group will be disqualified.
7. Photos must be High Resolution.
8. Photos must resize to 11"x14" prints.
9. Deadline is midnight Sept 01, 2026.
10. All finalists will be required to provide proof of age and eligibility, i.e. a photo ID, driver's license, birth certificate, etc.
11. Winners will be announced via social media and in person at the Winners' Reception on October 09, 2026.

The Fine Print

• All photographers retain copyright of their work.
• All entrants agree to the storage of their images in electronic form for the purpose of judging the competition and the private distribution of those images as required to complete the judging process.
• The photographer warrants that the rights (of any kind) to the photograph have not previously been sold or granted to any third party.
• The finalists grant The Mitford Museum the right to use the images in electronic form or in print for the specific purpose of promoting The Mitford Museum and its awards without restriction in any media.
• The Mitford Museum agrees that the images will not be made available for download on any of its websites at high resolution and that all images used will be credited to the photographer. The Mitford Museum will not be responsible for unauthorized use of any image by a third party.
• Electronic files sent as attachments will not be returned and The Mitford Museum accepts no responsibility for submissions in any other form. Prints or physical media sent as submissions will not be returned and will not be considered for judging.