|
OVERVIEW
Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its 2026 8th annual Bird Photography Competition to celebrate the joys and benefits of birdwatching, draw attention to the diversity of bird life and habitat around the world and showcase the work of wildlife photographers across North America.
JURORS
The contest will be judged by “Birdwatching for Dummies” co-author and BWD Magazine Managing Editor Dawn Hewitt and BWD Magazine Photographic Editor Bruce Wunderlich.
CALENDAR
April 17th – Call for entry opens on callforentry.org
June 27th – Last day for entries
July 10th - Notification of Acceptance
September 11th - Deadline for receipt of accepted works
September 25th - Reception and Awards Presentations
November 28th - Exhibition concludes
CATEGORIES
Open Category – for photographs taken with any camera system, including DSLR’s and mirrorless camera systems with interchangeable lenses.
Restricted Category
- for photographs taken by individuals age 17 or younger
- for photographs taken with less expensive, so-called “bridge” cameras with non-interchangeable lenses. Examples are the Canon PowerShot SX70HS, Nikon Coolpix P1000, and Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000. Photographs entered into this category erroneously will be removed from consideration without refund of entry fees.
AWARDS ($1325 total)
$450 – Best in Show
Open Category: $350 – 1st Place
$100 – 2nd Place, $75 – 3rd Place
Restricted Category: $250 – 1st Place
$100 – 2nd Place
MEDIA SPECIFICATIONS
Photography in which the main subject is a bird or birds. Digital enhancement should be limited to color, shadow, cropping, and reasonable use of AI sharpening software. No alteration of original image background is allowed. Photography regarding bird safety and dignity outlined in Audubon Photography guidelines should be followed.
ELIGIBILITY
Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional.
ENTRIES
Entries will be made through www.callforentry.org. Each photographer may submit up to 5 entries for the standard non-refundable entry fee of $35. Up to 3 additional entries may be submitted for $5 each.
EXHIBITION
September 25th, 2026 to November 28th, 2026 in the second-floor gallery space of the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Awards will be announced at the opening reception on September 25th. Accepted artwork is required to remain in the gallery space for the duration of the exhibition, even if sold.
PRESENTATION OF ACCEPTED WORKS
Accepted works must framed and back wired with the wire reaching no higher than 3” from the top of the frame. Image size should not exceed 18” x 24” or equivalent with matted and framed work not larger than 24” x 30”.
DELIVERY OF ACCEPTED WORK
Shipped entries should be suitable to withstand the rigors of packaged shipping. Please ship to:
Hit Me With Your Best Shot!
Historic City Hall
1001 Ryan Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
o Shipped works can be received between August 11th and September 11th , 2026
o Hand deliveries accepted September 1st to 5th and 8th to 12th from 10 am to 6 pm
o Works must be delivered in reusable packing cartons
o No packing peanuts or popcorn
o All shipped works must include a prepaid return shipping label for each box
o Late or damaged shipments will be returned freight collect
RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORKS
Return of artwork begins December 1st, 2026.
Hand delivery pickup available at Historic City Hall from December 1st to 5th and December 8th to 12th, 10 am to 6 pm.
SALES & REPRODUCTION
A 20% gallery commission will be assessed on the sale of photographs during the exhibition.
The exhibition committee reserves the right to reproduce accepted entries for future press releases, website, and social media promotion of this event.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Gallery by the Lake Inc.
Competition Coordinator: Dan Plummer
Phone: (337) 842-6820
Email: gallerybythelakeswla@gmail.com