Monthly Image Competition
The Monthly Image Competition (MIC) started in 2004 as a way for members to share their work in friendly competition. University of Houston photographer Jeff Shaw originated the idea and the competition has grown from a few images in the early days to over 300 monthly entries.
The MIC can be a great source of inspiration for members' own work and because fellow UPAA members judge the images, winning participants know their work is appreciated and valued by their counterparts at some of the best colleges and universities around the world!
Monthly Image Competition Details
MIC WINNERS GALLERY
Quarterly Narrative Series Competition
The Quarterly Narrative Series Competition is designed to allow our members to enter long and short form videos, social media videos, and projects created using programs like Exposure and Adobe Spark, to be judged by their peers four times a year.
Quarterly Narrative Series Competition Rules
WINNERS GALLERY
2026 Q3 Narrative Series Competition
2026 Q2 Narrative Series Competition
2026 Q1 Narrative Series Competition
2025 Q4 Narrative Series Competition
2025 Q3 Narrative Series Competition
2025 Q2 Narrative Series Competition
2025 Q1 Narrative Series Competition
2024 Q4 Narrative Series Competition
2024 Q3 Narrative Series Competition
2024 Q2 Narrative Series Competition
2024 Q1 Narrative Series Competition
2023 Q4 Narrative Series Competition
2023 Q3 Narrative Series Competition
2022 Q2 Narrative Series Competition
2022 Q1 Narrative Series Competition
Annual Photo Competition
Annual Photo Competition Rules
In 2019 the Board of Directors voted to change the Annual Print Competition to the Annual Photo Competition (APC). This competition is the flagship competition of the UPAA and takes place at the end of the academic year. Judging for the APC occurs online around the time of the Annual Symposium, which takes place in summer. This is a unique process which challenges those entering to choose what they feel is their best work from the past year, to be judged by their peers. The APC, in conjunction with the Monthly Image Competition, determines the highest award of the UPAA, Mark Philbrick Photographer of the Year (POY). The POY is chosen by the board based on the scores in both the APC and the MIC, 65% APC and 35% MIC.
APC Winners gallery
Nikon Shoot Out Competition
The Nikon Shoot Out brings together creativity, interpretation, and timeliness into a fun and competitive exercise. Each year at the Annual Symposium the Nikon representative provides a theme that will inspire the images participants enter by a specific deadline. All those participating are on equal ground as they may choose only one “out of camera” image to submit, without post processing, for judging by the Nikon Representative in attendance. This competition is open only to those in attendance at the symposium.
NIKON SHOOT OUT WINNERS GALLERY
B&H VIDEO SHOOT OUT
The B&H Video Shootout is a friendly competition designed to stretch creativity and challenge our members. Participants must complete a themed assignment in a specified place and time. All participants work within similar criteria: they create one video and submit it for judging while attending the Symposium.
B&H VIDEO SHOOT OUT WINNERS GALLERY
Annual Publications Competition
Annual Publication Competition awards the best use of photography in university/college publications and takes place at the end of the academic year. Members enter the Annual Publications Competition by mailing in magazines, posters, printed advertisements and more, which incorporate their images. A committee of designers, editors, and marketing professionals from the college/university hosting the Annual Symposium judge how photography is used in each entry. Awards are given to the institution in this competition and are presented at the symposium.
Publication Competition Details and Rules
Annual pub winners gallery
Annual Narrative Series Competition
The Annual Narrative Series Competition Competition is designed to allow our members to enter videos and projects like Exposure and Adobe Spark to be judged by their peers. There are three categories in this competition.
Annual Narrative Series Competition Rules
ANNUAL NARRATIVE WINNERS GALLERY