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Starting September 2009, KSPA begins its Photo of the Month contest, a monthly contest for high school photographers that is similar to the Story of the Month competition.

President-Elect and Contest Chair Jill Chittum, the publications adviser at Blue Valley High School, proposed the idea at a KSPA meeting in August.

Unlike the Story of the Month contest, Photo of the Month does not place restrictions on the subjects of the photos. Sports, News, Feature- the subject does not matter as long as the photo was taken within the month of the current contest.

The photo does not have to be published in the month of the current contest, as long as there is intent for future publication.

Since there are no restrictions on the photos, KSPA judges are looking for photos to stick out.

“We’re looking for photos that showcase good photojournalism, great moments, use of natural light, good composition and just knowing what makes a good photo,” Chittum said.

KSPA President Jim McCrossen hopes the contest will include more high school photographers in KSPA and help them improve.

“Students get feedback from judges so they’re able to see the positives and negatives of the work they’re turning in, and any feedback you get helps you become a good photographer,” McCrossen said.

Chittum hopes the contest will not only help student photographers, but also get more students involved in KSPA.

“Anytime students can be recognized, it pumps them up a little bit, and they get more involved in KSPA as an organization,” Chittum said.

McCrossen is excited for the entries to start coming in to see what is going on in high schools across Kansas.

“We just want great photos of things happening in high schools and middle schools in the state of Kansas, anything and everything,” McCrossen said.

The postmark deadlines for the Photo of the Month contests:

• Photo #1, Sept. 30, 2009
• Photo #2, Oct. 30, 2009
• Photo #3, Nov. 30, 2009
• Photo #4, Jan. 29, 2010
• Photo #5, Feb. 26, 2010
• Photo #6, March 31, 2010
• Photo #7, April 30, 2010

The contest rules:

• Limit two entries per school per month, one per photographer, per month.
• Entry fee $5 per entry
• Schools may pre-pay for two entries each month for the year at $70
• You may also combine pre-payment with pre-payment for Story of the Month contest, which is also $70 for the year, for a total of $140.

All judging will be done by University of Kansas School of Journalism faculty.

Download forms here, or go to the right side of the page and find the Photo/Story of the Month contest link.

You may also request that a copy of the form be mailed to you by sending an email to staff@kspaonline.org or by calling 785-864-0605.