SYNC Image Competition: Trophy & Award Guidelines

Award of Excellence
Entries that score 80 or higher will receive special recognition, which can be picked up at SYNC. If an image is disqualified for any reason, it will still receive a score and remain eligible for an Award of Excellence.

All submitted images will be scored and considered for the Award of Excellence including any image that would be disqualified from trophy selection. 

Judge’s Choice
Special recognition is presented for the favorite entries selected by the panel of judges. All submitted images will be eligible for a Judge’s Choice Award.

Trophy Selection Process 

When selecting trophies, the judges will review the top 10 scoring entries in each category through a head-to-head discussion. While scoring is an important factor, having the highest score does not automatically guarantee a first-place win. The judges consider all top entries as a whole, evaluating them side by side before reaching a unanimous decision on the final rankings. This deliberation process determines the ultimate winners. The judges’ decisions are final, and the trophy selection process is closed to viewers. 

Trophies 

Trophies will be presented to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the following categories.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CATEGORIES
 
• High School Senior Indoor

• High School Senior Outdoor

• High School Senior Hobby and Arts

• High School Senior Group

SPORTS/VOLUME CATEGORIES  

• K-12 Individual Athlete

• K-12 Individual Composite

• K-12 Team or Group Composite

• K-12 Action Sports

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES 

• Music

• Open

AWARDS 

First Time Award - Awarded to the highest-scoring image from a photographer entering the Image Competition for the first time. Eligible entries will be from the High School Seniors and Sports/Volume categories.

Breakout Photographer of the Year - Awarded to the highest-scoring image from a photographer in business for 3 years or less. All eligible entries will be brought back to the judges for a head-to-head discussion. Eligible entries will be from the High School Seniors and Sports/Volume categories. 

Senior’s Choice Award - A select group of high school seniors will vote on their favorite image. Eligible images will be from the High School Senior and Sports/Volume categories scoring 85 and higher. In case of a tie, a judge will determine the winner. 

Photographer’s Choice Award - Attendees and vendors at SYNC will vote on their favorite image. Eligible images will be from the High School Senior and Sports/Volume categories scoring 85 and higher. In case of a tie, a judge will determine the winner.

Best Of Show - The top 10 scoring images from the High School Senior and Sports/Volume categories will be reviewed by the judges in a head-to-head discussion to determine the winning image. Eligible entries will be from the High School Seniors and Sports/Volume categories.

Photographer of the Year – The top five photographers with the highest average scores from the High School Senior and Sports/Volume categories will be reviewed by the judges in a head-to-head discussion to determine the winner. The judges will evaluate a collection of each photographer’s images before making their final decision. To be eligible for Photographer of the Year, participants must submit a minimum of six images in any category except Open. Eligible entries will be from the High School Seniors and Sports/Volume categories. Why don't we include the Open category? Because we are first and foremost an HS Senior and Youth Sports photography conference. 

GALLERIES

The Gallery At SYNC - A Visual Celebration of Music 

The top 20 scoring images will be printed and displayed at SYNC. While photographers may submit multiple entries in the music category, only their highest-scoring image will be eligible for display, ensuring that 20 unique photographers are represented. In the event of a scoring tie, the judges will make the final selection. Eligible entries will be from the Music Category.

The Top 10 Display  - Showcasing the Best of SYNC

Explore the Top 10 Display at SYNC, featuring the top 10 highest-scoring images. These standout photos represent the peak of creativity and skill in high school senior and youth sports photography. Each photograph tells a powerful story, showcasing the exceptional talent of SYNC’s top photographers. In case of a scoring tie, the judges will select the final image(s). Eligible entries will be from the High School Seniors and Sports/Volume categories.

Favorite Things Display - Darty and Michele’s Favorite Images 

The Favorite Things print display at SYNC is a prestigious showcase of carefully curated photographs handpicked by the event's organizers, Darty and Michele Hines. The selection process is highly discerning, ensuring that only a limited number of exceptional entries make it to the display, making it a true celebration of visual artistry and storytelling. Eligible entries will be from all categories.