Photo competition season has rolled around again. This time of year is "provinicials" within the Professional Photographers of Canada, it is known as Regionals.
I make a point of entering photography competitions. Not because I’m chasing medals or titles, but because it’s one of the best ways I know to grow as an artist. This season I entered the both British Columbia and Prairie Provinces events.
Sometimes I submit work that I created for clients—images that already hold meaning and connection for the people I’ve photographed. Other times, I dream up something entirely new, a project that pushes me outside my comfort zone. Either way, the process challenges me to look closely at what I’m creating and why. It’s a chance to refine my craft, stretch my imagination, and see my work through a different lens.
I especially appreciate competitions with the Professional Photographers of Canada for how they bring photographers together. The community is full of artists with distinct visions and voices, yet we all share the same desire—to tell stories that resonate.
Seeing how others interpret emotion, beauty, and light is endlessly inspiring, and it reminds me that there’s no single way to see the world.
There’s also a certain vulnerability in submitting work. It’s not always easy to invite critique or comparison, but I’ve learned that growth rarely happens without a little discomfort. Whether an image earns recognition or quietly passes by, I always come away with a clearer sense of direction and purpose.
In the end, entering competitions isn’t about validation—it’s about evolution. Each submission is my way of saying, this is who I am as an artist today. And each time I do, I discover something new about where I want to go next.