Exhibition
2026 Hit Me With Your Best Shot! Bird Photography Competition and Exhibition
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Entry Fee: $35
Media Fee: $5
Contact Information
Requirement Overview
- Location Eligibility Type: National
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Submission Limit: 1
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 5, Max: 8
- Audio | Min: 0, Max: 0
- Video | Min: 0, Max: 0
- Total | Min: 5, Max: 8
Opportunity Summary
Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its 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.
General Information
OVERVIEW
Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its 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 www.callforentry.org
now July 3rd – Last day for entries
now July 17th - Notification of Acceptance
September 11th - Deadline for receipt of accepted works
September 25th - Reception and Awards Presentations
November 28th - Exhibition concludes
AWARDS for each category
$450 – Best in Show
Open Category
$350 – 1st Place
$100 – 2nd Place
$75 – 3rd Place
Restricted Category
$250 – 1st Place
$100 – 2nd Place
($1,325 total)
PRESENTATION
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”.
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.
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.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Gallery by the Lake Inc.
Competition Coordinator: Dan Plummer
Phone: (337) 842-6820
Application Requirements
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.
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.
ENTRIES
All entries must 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.
Eligibility Criteria
ELIGIBILITY
Photographers of all ages, amateur and professional. Subject birds from around the world are welcome. Accepted works must be shipped from within the United States.
Terms to Apply
Entry Fee: $35
Media Fee: $5