Young Photographer Competition

Photography has the power to capture special places, moments and memories. The Rotary Young Photographer competition is designed to support and encourage the development of photographic skills by exploring and developing skills in photography through either digital and/or traditional methods of photography, interpreting the competition theme with creativity and insight and communicating personal ideas and perspectives through photography.

The competition is open to all young people within the age groups shown below. They may be an individual choosing to enter directly themselves or amongst the entries submitted by a group or community organisation including schools and colleges, home educated, other young peoples’ community organisations, for example, community RotaKids or Interact, Scout Groups, Girl Guides, etc

The three age groups are: (note: entrants must not be above the age parameters on 31 August 2026):

2019-20 Competition Theme - Happiness in Nature

Entrants are to produce one photograph based upon the theme, ‘Happiness in Nature’. Mobile devices or cameras may be used. Each entrant MUST include a brief sentence explaining how their photograph relates to the theme. This sentence must be added to the appropriate section of the entry form. Entries without this explanation will be disqualified.

Please note:

• A photograph that forms part of a current educational exam portfolio is not eligible for entry due to exam board regulations
• If the photograph includes images of people under 18 or adults at risk, a signed consent form/s must accompany the entry
• For the national final the photograph must be submitted digitally in jpg format and be at least 1500 pixel in size on the longest length and the entry and supporting information sent electronically MUST NOT EXCEED 15Mb per email sent
• Photographs which incorporate images of people under 18 years or adults at risk must be accompanied by consent form/s for their use.
• Plagiarised or 'close-copied' images are not permitted in any competition. It is important that we protect the work of creative individuals. Whilst we are all inspired by the work of others, there is without doubt a grey area where inspiration carries over to close copying. For our competitions 'close copying' is where, to a reasonable person, the submitted entry appears remarkably similar in significant important respects to a body of work created elsewhere. We are looking for original pieces, not copies, which match the theme of the competition. Competitors must not use any apps which produce any part of their submission, if detected the entry will be disqualified.

Entrants are asked to submit entries by 01 March 2026.

Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before submission for guidelines and official entry form.

The Three Stages of the Competition are:

• Local Heats organised by local Rotary clubs from which age group winners are selected and submitted Spring 2020 to -
• the District Competition from which age group winners are selected and submitted to -
• the National Final organised by RIBI

Judges with appropriate skills, appointed by Rotary, will apply the judging criteria considering technical merit; content and composition; imagination and style and relevance to the theme. The judges will not enter any discussion or correspondence regarding their decision; the decision of the judges will be final and not subject to any appeal.

At all stages of the competition, competitors will receive a certificate of participation.