And we’ve expanded the region to enter to states within two borders of Minnesota. For college students and professionals, with two major categories each:
Photographer of the Year
Sports Photographer of the Year
Other awards: Feature, General News, Portrait, Sports Action, Sport Feature, Photo Story and Spot News (no spot news in college division).
FOR: The contest is open to photojournalism professionals and students from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri and Nebraska — states within two state lines of Minnesota.
DEADLINE: Entry deadline February 15, 2026 at midnight (CST).
JUDGING: Judging of the student entries will take place in-person at 5 pm, Thursday, April 9 at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The event is free and open to the public. Professionals will be judged by photojournalists from outside the region ahead of the conference.
COST: Free for college students, $15 for pros.
WINNERS: Awards will be announced Saturday afternoon, April 11, at the Northern Exposure Conference. You do not need to be present to win. Students attending the live judging Thursday night will hear the winners as they are judged. Winners not in attendance will be notified by email on April 12.
For college photojournalists
The college division is open to students who are residents of or attending school in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri and Nebraska in 2025. Full-time interns who graduated in spring or fall 2025 may compete in the college division.
For the college contest: Find the rules, categories and submission guidelines here.
College division: No entry fee
For professional photojournalists
The professional division is open to photojournalists working in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, Missouri and Nebraska. All work must be taken or published in 2025. Multi-year projects that concluded in 2025 are eligible for the photo story category as long as it includes images from 2025. No more than 50% of a portfolio may consist of images made outside of the contest region.
For the professional contest: Find the rules, categories and submission guidelines here.
Pro division: $15 entry fee
QUESTIONS?
Email Matt Gade: Matt.Gade@605Sports.com
Thanks to these folks for supporting the conference and contest
