In Memoriam
Dr. Kim Ingold developed her love of photography while a member of Stanly County 4-H. Throughout her 4-H career, she was involved in county, district, and state events, where she was able to develop her photography skills. Kim was a valued member of the NC 4-H Honor Club and strongly believed in its mission of service and giving back to others.
When Kim aged out of 4-H, she became a treasured 4-H volunteer, attending most state-level 4-H events to capture our memories through her photography. She was passionate about educating youth in any way she could. Kim was always there with a camera in hand and, more importantly, there with a smile, a kind word, and a hug.
In 2019, we lost Kim in a tragic car accident, and she will forever be missed in our North Carolina 4-H family.
In honor of her lasting impact and passion for photography, the North Carolina 4-H Photography Contest was named in her memory.
Contest Information
The Dr. Kim Ingold NC 4-H Photography Contest celebrates the creativity and accomplishments of NC 4-H youth and adult photographers. Through this contest, participants are encouraged to build their photography skills, explore creative techniques, and capture meaningful moments through their lens.
Winning entries are featured here on this page, highlighted during National 4-H Week, and displayed at the N.C. State Fair alongside the NC 4-H Exhibit each October.
The contest encourages participants to explore the 4-H Photography Curriculum, practice photography techniques, and continue developing their skills through creative expression.
Photo Entry
All entries must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Participants must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online
North Carolina 4-H reserves the right to use submitted photographs for educational purposes with photographer credit.
Participation Categories
(4-H age as of January 1, 2026)
- Cloverbud: Ages 5–7 (non-competitive)
- Junior: Ages 8–13
- Senior: Ages 14–18
- Adult: Ages 19+
Subject Categories
Cloverbud, Junior, and Senior
- 4-H in Action
- Nature’s Beauty (No Animals)
- Animals
- Black and White
Adult
- 4-H in Action
If the 4-H Emblem appears in a photograph, it must follow official 4-H guidelines.
Subject Category Descriptions
4-H in Action
Capture the excitement and impact of 4-H experiences. This may include events, leadership activities, project work, community engagement, livestock shows, or everyday moments where 4-H members are learning and having fun. Strong entries will help viewers feel connected to the moment and the people in it.
Nature’s Beauty
Capture the beauty of the natural world through landscapes, scenery, plants, skies, or water. Whether it is a sunset, flowers, or dramatic weather, photographs in this category should highlight the beauty of nature. Animals should not appear in this category.
Animals
Capture animals in a way that shows their beauty or personality. Subjects may include wildlife, livestock, pets, or insects. Strong photos will be clear, well composed, and help the subject stand out.
Black and White
Create a powerful image using only black, white, and shades of gray. Focus on contrast, lighting, shapes, textures, and composition to tell a story without color. Black and white photographs must be entered in this category regardless of subject matter.
Rules and Registration Information
- The contest is open to North Carolina 4-H members ages 5–18 and adults ages 19+, based on age as of January 1, 2026.
- All participants must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online.
- All photographs must have been taken by the participant during the contest year (September 2025 – August 2026).
- Participants must enter photographs in the age division that corresponds with their age as of January 1, 2026.
Submission/Entry Guidelines
Entry Limits
- Cloverbud, Junior, and Senior divisions
- One photograph may be entered in each category (Maximum of four entries total)
- The same image may not be entered in multiple categories
- Adult division
- Maximum of one entry in the 4-H in Action category
Category Requirements
- Animal photographs should not be entered in the Nature's Beauty category, even if found in nature
- This also includes insects and similar wildlife subjects
- Black and white photographs must be entered in the Black and White category regardless of subject matter
How to Enter
Photographs must be submitted electronically through the contest submission form.
Participants will be asked to provide:
- Name
- Email address
- 4-H county
- Age as of January 1
- 4-H professional name and email
- Age division
and for each entry:
- Photograph upload
- Photograph file name
- Photograph title (three words or fewer when possible)
- Brief description of the photograph for historical reference
File Requirements
Photographs must be saved using the following format:
AgeDivision_Category_LastName_FirstName_Title_Year
Note: File names should list the participant’s last name before their first name.
Use underscores (_) between each section of the file name and avoid spaces or special characters. In the examples below, “Clover” is used as the last name.
Examples
- Cb_Animals_Clover_Charlie_MyCalf_2026
- Jr_Nature_Clover_Chris_MorningTrail_2026
- Sr_BlackAndWhite_Clover_Carol_CityLights_2026
- Adult_Action_Clover_Clarence_HandsToService_2026
Additional requirements:
- Submit photographs at the highest image resolution possible
- Files must not exceed 10 GB
- Only PNG and JPEG files are accepted
- Submit the original digital photo file whenever possible; screenshots and photos of printed photographs should not be submitted
Judging
The contest is judged by qualified photographers who regularly create or use photography in their professional work.
Criteria
- Relevancy to Category: Does the photograph clearly represent the category in which it is entered?
- Composition: Are the elements arranged in a visually pleasing way?
- Focus and Sharpness: Is the subject clear and in focus?
- Lighting: Does the lighting enhance the subject and overall image?
- Creativity: Does the photograph demonstrate originality or creative thinking?
Awards and Recognition
Junior and Senior Divisions
Ribbons may be awarded for:
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
- 4th Place
- 5th Place
- Honorable Mention
4th and 5th place ribbons and Honorable Mention ribbons are contingent upon funding.
Winning entries will be:
- Featured here on this page
- Highlighted during National 4-H Week
- Displayed at the NC State Fair as part of the NC 4-H Exhibit
Winning photographs and ribbons will later be returned to county 4-H offices.
Adult Division
Adult participants may receive recognition for:
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
- 4th Place
- 5th Place
- Honorable Mention
Winning adult entries will be displayed at the State 4-H Office during the contest year.
Adult division participants receive recognition only and do not receive ribbons.
Tips for Taking Your Best Photograph
Understand Your Camera
Learn the features and settings of your camera or smartphone. Always make sure your lens is clean.
Focus on Composition
Use techniques such as framing, leading lines, and the rule of thirds.
Use Good Lighting
Natural light often works best, especially early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Experiment with Angles
Try different perspectives to make your photos more interesting.
Keep It Simple
Avoid cluttered backgrounds so your subject stands out.
Tell a Story
Think about what message or moment your photo communicates.
Practice Patience
Great photos often require waiting for the right moment.
Edit Wisely
Enhance your photo without over-editing.
Practice Often
Take many photos and select your best one.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will winners be announced in newspapers?
- This is determined by individual counties or 4-H professionals.
Is there a Best of Show award?
- A Best of Show distinction may be given if judges believe a particular image deserves special recognition.
Will participants receive written critiques?
- Because of the number of entries received each year, written critiques are not guaranteed. Feedback requests may be honored when possible.
2025 Winners
Junior Division
"Forever Blowing Bubbles for 4-H"
Matilda Parker
Sampson County
"Where Milk Begins"
Erin Coggin
Greene County
"A Helping Hand"
Maddi Rich
Forsyth County
"4-H Congress 2025"
Kaiden Jekel
Hoke County
"Summer Dairy Days"
Rylee MacDonald
Brunswick County
"Flying Free on Labor Day"
Kaylee Bethea-Davis
Columbus County
"Snow's Beauty"
Athena Danforth
Yadkin County
"Sunset Over the Albemarle Sound"
Peaches Wright
Currituck County
"NC Northern Lights Night Skies"
Kensley Moss
Richmond County
"Succulents"
Macyn Castle
Union County
"The Fall of Acorns"
Heidi Young
Montgomery County
"Ant Experiment"
Addison Kelly
Yadkin County
"Turtle in the Wild"
Jake Roberts
Orange County
"Snow Geese in the Albemarle Sound"
Peaches Wright
Currituck County
"Harry Dogger"
William Willett
Caldwell County
"Turn That Frown Upside Down"
Connor Kromenacker
Wake County
"Wild West Reptile"
Greyson Sewell
Johnston County
"Lady Bug on a Leaf"
Lily Robertson
Swain County
"The Watcher"
Rylee MacDonald
Brunswick County
"New World Trade Center"
Kaiden Jekel
Hoke County
"Mac Attack"
Kinsley Collier
Harnett County
"My Sweet Niece"
Serenity Conover
Stanly County
"Me & My Eggcellent Friend"
Elliana Lee Corriveau
Union County
"Fort Macon Archways"
Lizzie Phillips
Union County
Senior Division
"Sewing Sessions"
Carissa Gaines
Chatham County
"UnBEElieveable Experiences"
Tucker Andrews
Union County
Untitled
Mckenzie Church
Stanly County
"Harvesting Dreams"
Olivia Duchesne
Johnston County
"Boat Ride at Electric Congress"
Mackenzie Odom
Tyrrell County
"4-H Tic-Tac-Toe Fun"
Ella Lee Corriveau
Union County
"Cicada Molt in Process"
Kylee Young
Wayne County
"Living Waters"
Donavan Greene
Richmond County
"Kitty Hawk Pier"
Poppy Wright
Currituck County
"Morning in the Marsh"
Elise Overton
Johnston County
"Atlantic Spray"
Jonas Pak-Lin
Mecklenburg County
"Summer Feels"
Ella Griffin
Nash County
"Contemplating the Beauty of a Volcano"
Perry Copeland
Wake County
"Green World"
Sarayu Kondeti
Mecklenburg County
"Diving in with a Splash"
Kregg Parton
Swain County
"In Nature's Stillness"
Brody Benfield
Caswell County
"Ruby the Baby Pidgeon"
Lillie Inge
Wake County
"Dog in the Street"
Elise Overton
Johnston County
"Pyro-Plated Night"
Rebekah Crouse
Yadkin County
"Solitary Long Waddled Umbrella Bird"
Perry Copeland
Wake County
"I Love This Farm Life."
Jahari Roberson
Robeson County
"Silent Sentinel"
Jonas Pak-Lin
Mecklenburg County
"Afternoon Dancing at the Park"
Elise Overton
Johnston County
"Coco-nuts for Hydration"
Ella Lee Corriveau
Union County
Adult Division
"Share a Smile"
Lindsey Harper Willis
Carteret County
"BAA RAM EWE, Big Smiles for Me and You!"
Jesse Ledbetter
Davie County
"Picture This! Fun With Bottle Lenses!"
Amy Lowdermilk
Tyrrell County
"Rub-A-Dub-Dub The Turkey is in the Tub!"
Rebecca Stamilio-Ehret
Edgecombe County
"Ms. Tania’s Barn"
Anastasia Hancock
Lenoir County
"Marta Comes Home"
Jacob Dalton
Harnett County
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