Deadline has passed. thanks to all who contriubuted!
Calling all SE Alaska photographers!
We are seeking submissions featuring Bumblebees. Our theme is “Harmony in the Wild”
On February 21 and 22 The Orpheus Project will premiere a new multimedia production inspired by the life cycle of bumblebees, at Thunder Mountain called Acoustic Turbulence. With choreography by Hali Duran and score by Todd Hunt, Elena Levi and Spencer Edgers this new work will continue with Orpheus Project’s commitment to bold programming and thoughtful storytelling. In tandem with the performance, we are curating a competitive photography exhibition to celebrate the artistry of bees during the month of February next year. The exhibition selections will be displayed at Spice Cafe on Franklin St all month and open for bidding on First Friday, February 6, 2026.
Photographers are invited to submit up to 3 images of bumblebees for consideration. Orpheus Project requests the rights to display the winning images, although copyright will be retained by the photographer. OP also requests that the winning images be offered on a one-time basis to create a beautiful 2026 calendar for sale. The top 12 photographs, selected by curators Matthew Brown and Kerry Howard, will be enlarged to 16” x 24” metal prints and auctioned. The auction proceeds are shared equally between the artist, The Orpheus Project, and the venue. One photograph will be selected as the “Best of Show”, and will be made into a bigger 24” x 36” metal print, with the same terms. The best of show winner will also receive 5 calendars.
About the Theme
We are seeking photographers to capture the quiet, industrious beauty of bumblebees in their natural habitats. We want images that go beyond simple portraits, showcasing how these beloved insects interact with their environment and the world around them.
Themes of Interest:
Bumblebees at Work: Photographs highlighting bees in action—pollinating flowers, gathering nectar, or tending to their nests. Especially welcome are images showing bees in concert with the plants and ecosystems they sustain.
Coexistence with Humanity: Images that include human elements—bees in gardens, on flowers near homes, or nests built alongside structures—capturing the peaceful coexistence between humans and these vital creatures.
The Bigger Picture: Wide or landscape shots that place the bumblebee within a broader natural setting, emphasizing its role as a small yet essential part of a vast and interdependent world.
Whether your photo is a close-up of a pollen-dusted body or a wide shot of a flowering meadow, we want to see your perspective on the harmony of bees in the wild.
Submission Guidelines
We are seeking submissions featuring Bumblebees. Our theme is “Harmony in the Wild”
On February 21 and 22 The Orpheus Project will premiere a new multimedia production inspired by the life cycle of bumblebees, at Thunder Mountain called Acoustic Turbulence. With choreography by Hali Duran and score by Todd Hunt, Elena Levi and Spencer Edgers this new work will continue with Orpheus Project’s commitment to bold programming and thoughtful storytelling. In tandem with the performance, we are curating a competitive photography exhibition to celebrate the artistry of bees during the month of February next year. The exhibition selections will be displayed at Spice Cafe on Franklin St all month and open for bidding on First Friday, February 6, 2026.
Photographers are invited to submit up to 3 images of bumblebees for consideration. Orpheus Project requests the rights to display the winning images, although copyright will be retained by the photographer. OP also requests that the winning images be offered on a one-time basis to create a beautiful 2026 calendar for sale. The top 12 photographs, selected by curators Matthew Brown and Kerry Howard, will be enlarged to 16” x 24” metal prints and auctioned. The auction proceeds are shared equally between the artist, The Orpheus Project, and the venue. One photograph will be selected as the “Best of Show”, and will be made into a bigger 24” x 36” metal print, with the same terms. The best of show winner will also receive 5 calendars.
About the Theme
We are seeking photographers to capture the quiet, industrious beauty of bumblebees in their natural habitats. We want images that go beyond simple portraits, showcasing how these beloved insects interact with their environment and the world around them.
Themes of Interest:
Bumblebees at Work: Photographs highlighting bees in action—pollinating flowers, gathering nectar, or tending to their nests. Especially welcome are images showing bees in concert with the plants and ecosystems they sustain.
Coexistence with Humanity: Images that include human elements—bees in gardens, on flowers near homes, or nests built alongside structures—capturing the peaceful coexistence between humans and these vital creatures.
The Bigger Picture: Wide or landscape shots that place the bumblebee within a broader natural setting, emphasizing its role as a small yet essential part of a vast and interdependent world.
Whether your photo is a close-up of a pollen-dusted body or a wide shot of a flowering meadow, we want to see your perspective on the harmony of bees in the wild.
Submission Guidelines
- Files must be submitted electronically to [email protected]
- Each photo submitted must be in one of the “Theme of Interest” categories (see above).
- You must be the photographer and hold all rights to the image.
- Submissions are limited to 3 images per photographer.
- Each entry must have a short title for display purposes (maximum 8 words).
- Digital files must be 1500–2000 pixels on the long edge, resolution 72 ppi.
- Acceptable formats: JPG or PNG.
- Maximum file size: 10 MB.
- Entrants under 18 require parent/guardian permission.
- We retain the right to use the photographs submitted to be used one-time in a calendar for sale that will benefit Orpheus Project. Credit will be given to the photographer.
- RAW/original files may be requested for verification.
- Moderate cropping is allowed.
- Permitted adjustments: sharpening, exposure, tonal or color corrections, dodging/burning, selective noise reduction.
- Discrete use of AI is permitted but the goal is to see the bumblebees in nature.
- Images must not contain borders, watermarks, signatures, logos, or other identifying marks.
- Contacting the judges or curators directly about submissions is not permitted.
- Failure to comply with guidelines may result in disqualification.
- Deadline for submission: 10/15/25. Photographers will be notified of the selections by 10/31.