Enter the 2026 Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest Now!!
(Updated: July 26, 2026, 11:43 p.m.)
Cherokee County 4-H lets get ready to show off your photography skills by entering the Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photography Contest. If you are interested in entering the contest and are not a member of 4-H please contact Shannon Coleman, 4-H agent for Cherokee County to learn how to become a 4-H member.
Dr. Kim Ingold developed her love of photography as a Stanly County 4-H member. Throughout her 4-H career, she was involved in county, district, and state events, which developed her photography skills. Kim was inducted into the NC 4-H Honor Club (our service organization with over 3,000 members with outstanding records of achievement and service involvement and dedicated to making the best better). Kim was a valued Honor Club member and believed in its mission of giving back to her community. 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 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 will forever be missed in our North Carolina 4-H family.
2022 Winner: Nature’s Beauty, Junior Division
2022 4th Place: “Ocean Front Stroll” by Karleigh Meads, Currituck County
The purpose of the contest is to highlight North Carolina 4-H’ers’ photographic achievements. The winning photos are displayed on the 4-H Photography Contest website. The contest allows 4-H’ers to be creative and EXPLORE the 4-H Photography Curriculum. Contestants take the time and research how to take the best picture. They will practice, practice, and practice some more by taking 100’s of pictures to capture that 1 amazing shot. The contest will also connect 4-H’ers with a professional photographer to get their tips on how to take that 1 amazing shot. And of course the 4-H contestant will have FUN exploring their passion for photography, just like Dr. Ingold!!
North Carolina 4-H reserves the rights to use any of the photographs received for educational purposes. NEW SUBJECT CATEGORY FOR 2023: SPECIAL EFFECTSNEW PARTICIPATION CATEGORY FOR 2023: Adult Division (19+ years as of 1/1) All entries are due no later than August 17, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST, must be submitted online, and can only be entered by your 4-H Agent/PA.
Create photographs that have special effects either by snapping a photograph of a convex or concave reflection distorting the image or positioning the subject to look as if a tree branch is growing out of their ear.
4-H’ers can create a Multiple Exposure of a single subject repeating itself several times in one frame.
Practice taking a photo where everything is blurred except a focal point by attaching the camera to a moving object.
Take a photograph of your friend holding up a building with the palm of their hand or digitally enhance one of your photographs on the computer by adding colors, lights, or distortions to the original picture to create the special effects.
Have FUN with this category!
“4-H In Action” Subject Category ONLY
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Honorable Mention “bragging rights”
Winning photographs will be displayed at the State 4-H Office for the contest year, then sent to the participant’s county 4-H Office.
Hold your camera still with both hands or a tripod.
Rule of thirds.
2022 Winner: Nature’s Beauty, Junior Division
Looking Up from a swirling rock formation, seeing the blue sky.
1st Place: “Navajo Amber” by Logan Grover, Pender County
For more information about 4-H Clubs or 4-H contest like the Dr. Kim Ingold 4-H Photo Contest in Cherokee County, contact Shannon Coleman, at shannon_coleman@ncsu.edu or call, 828-837-2210 ext. 4.
