The Kane County Student Photography Contest saw record engagement last year, with more than 2,700 photo submissions from 17 high schools representing all nine Kane County public school districts, along with Marmion Academy and Rosary College Prep.
The 2026 Kane County Student Photography Contest opens Monday, Sept. 14 and runs through Monday, November 16. Teachers can register a class by emailing Kourtney Lipps, Communications and Marketing Coordinator at the Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE), at klipps@kaneroe.org.
“This contest is one of my favorite highlights of the school year because it places student expression front and center,” said John K. Jonak, Kane County regional superintendent of Schools. “When our young artists look through the camera lens, they capture the story of Kane County — our communities, our culture, and our daily growth. It’s an incredible platform that challenges students’ creative thinking, and I can’t wait to see the talent on display this fall.”
A new theme lands every Monday — texture one week, architecture the next, school spirit in the final weeks. The ROE’s Photography Review Committee reviews every submission and selects the top ten images to publish on the ROE website, in its newsletters, and on social media. One is named the week’s winning photo, and that student receives an award.
Teachers describe the weekly turnaround as the thing that sets it apart. “I am so happy that [the ROE offers] this opportunity for our students,” one participating teacher wrote after the 2025 contest. “They really love it, and I love teaching photography to them each week with these themes in mind.”
The contest is open to public, private, and homeschool high schools across Kane County. Winners are celebrated Thursday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at the annual Photography Contest Reception at Interiors for Business, Inc. in Batavia, where every featured photo will be on display.
Full contest details are available at kaneroe.org/student-photography-contest.
—Kane County government