Boys & Girls Clubs Of America Reveals National Photography Contest Winners

SAN DIEGO, July 30, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced winners of Boys & Girls Clubs of America ImageMakers National Photography contest. This year's contest, sponsored by Sony Electronics, resulted in 888 submissions from 665 clubs throughout the US and Clubs based on military installations abroad.

The ImageMakers National Photography Program and Contest enables Club youth to engage in self-expression through photography while developing future career skills with best in class mirrorless technology. This year-round program encourages Club members to learn and practice black-and-white, color, digital and alternative process photography. 

With a rich, 50-year history, the photography contest is one of the member competitions from Boys & Girls Clubs of America's arts initiative, which invites youth ages six to 18 to capture photographs and express their creativity in five categories: Culture & Tradition, Editing & Filter, Fashion, Surroundings and Portraits.

ImageMakers provides innovative and high-quality arts programming that stimulates learning and academic success; inspires creativity; explores future careers; and encourages self-expression, critical thinking and problem solving. As a global leader in image sensors—the fundamental photographic technology used in cameras, robotic devices and mobile phones around the world—Sony Electronics' national support of ImageMakers enables Club youth to learn the art and science of photography and provides access to the latest digital imaging equipment from Sony. Arts programming helps build design thinking and in turn supports youths' STEM interest, which supports Sony's and Boys & Girls Clubs of America's commitment to expanding youth exposure to future technology and possible career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

"Sony's collaboration with Boys & Girls Clubs of America gives us the opportunity support programming that promotes visual storytelling through the use of imaging technology," stated Mike Fasulo, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics. "Giving more kids and teens access to disruptive technology and empowering them to express themselves through art and photography is another way Sony can help to develop future creators."  

All ImageMakers winners will receive a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera package that includes the Alpha α5100/L, a carrying case and SD Card.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America values the ongoing support of Sony Electronics," stated Jim Clark, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "As a global technology leader, Sony prioritizes the importance of creating positive youth outcomes. Their support of our mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens."

2019 ImageMakers Winners

Best in Show
Category: Culture and Tradition
Title: Our Hearts Beat in Unity
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program

Judges Choice
Category:  Editing and Filter
Title:  Shine Bright
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program

Category: Portraits
Title: First Black District Judge
Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle (WV)

Category Winners
Fashion & Style
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond
Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
JB San Antonio-Lackland Youth Program
Sasebo Fleet Activities – Sasebo Armed Forces Asia

Nature and Surroundings
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
Boys & Girls Club of Iwakuni, Armed Forces Asia
USAG Ansbach CYS Services, Armed Forces Europe
Boys & Girls Club of Cheyenne Wyoming

Portraits
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program, Wyoming
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine
Boys & Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle
Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore

Culture and Traditions
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program, Wyoming
Boys & Girls Clubs of the LA Harbor
Sasebo Fleet Activities – Sasebo, Armed Forces Asia

Editing & Filter
Vandenberg AFB Youth Program - Vandenberg AFB, California
F.E. Warren AFB Youth Program, Wyoming
Boys & Girls Club of Springfield - Springfield, Missouri
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale - Scottsdale, Arizona

To learn more about the ImageMakers National Photography program, and to view artwork from this year's winners, visit https://arts.bgca.net/gallery/p/2019/c/a.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,600 Clubs serve over 4.7 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Sony Electronics