2026 Photojournalism Championship
This year, 217 entries were received in the two photojournalism competitions held during the academic year. Five top winners from the News & Features and Picture Story/Series competitions qualified to participate in the Hearst National Photojournalism Championship.
Saturday, May 30, shortly after arriving in San Francisco, the photo finalists met the judges – Danny Gawlowski, Boyzell Hosey and Elodie Mailliet Storm – for orientation, a
portfolio critique and to review of their Championship assignment.
This year’s prompt for a photo essay was: “250 Years of USA – This year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Share a story that considers “What does it mean to be American?” from a Californian perspective, while reflecting the country’s past, present, and future.”
The judges received the final portfolios Wednesday evening. The winners were announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday evening in the Gold Ballroom of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
The first-through-third place winners were awarded scholarships of $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000 respectively. The two finalists earned $1,500 scholarship awards.
The winners and finalists are featured below.
