Call Detail
Days remaining to deadline: 46
Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $35.00
Media Fee(Media Fee): $5.00
Images | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 8
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 5, Maximum:Max. 8
Eligibility: National
State: Louisiana
OVERVIEW
Gallery by the Lake Inc. announces its 7th 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 15th – Call for entry opens on www.callforentry.org
June 27th – Last day for entries
July 11th - Notification of Acceptance
September 12th - Deadline for receipt of accepted works
September 26th - Reception and Awards Presentations
November 29th - Exhibition concludes
AWARDS for each category
$350 – 1st Place
$100 – 2nd Place
$75 – 3rd Place
Plus
$450 – Best in Show
($1500 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 26th, 2025 to November 29th, 2025 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 26th. 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 12th and September 12th , 2025
o Hand deliveries accepted September 2nd to 6th and 9th to 13th 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 2nd, 2025.
Hand delivery pickup available at Historic City Hall from December 2nd to 6th and December 9th to 13th, 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.
Fixed-lens Camera Category – only 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.