2026 Photo of the Year finalists
August 21, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS — The Associated Collegiate Press announces finalists in its 2026 Photo of the Year competition.
The winners will be announced at the ACP Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the National College Media Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
After the winners are announced on Nov. 7, a gallery of the winners and honorable mentions will be shared on this website allowing student journalists and advisers to see all of the entries recognized in the competition.
Congratulations to the finalists in the following Photo of the Year contests —
Individual Award finalists
Story of the Year
Reporter of the Year
Multimedia Story of the Year
Design of the Year
Photo of the Year
Cartoon of the Year
Broadcast Story of the Year
Please join us at the National College Media Convention Nov. 4-7 in Kansas City, Mo.
News/Breaking News Photo
TJ Seputis
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University
Springfield Rally Brings EIU’s Funding Issues to State Capitol
Ian Kapsalis
The Express, Las Positas College (CA)
Protestor Climbs
Finn Gomez
The State News, Michigan State University
Protestors March
Jayden Jefferson
Technician, North Carolina State University
Venezuela Protest Reflection
Nathan Noda
Northwest Missourian, Northwest Missouri State University
Charlie Kirk Vigil
Avery Magee
The Daily Orange, Syracuse University (NY)
Election Day 2025
Adeline Taylor
The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
Drive Time
Andrew Ramiro Diaz
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
UCLA AFSCME Local 3299 Members Strike
Christian Kantosky
Kentucky Kernel, University of Kentucky
Kentucky Kernel
Zachary Ruth
The Sunflower, Wichita State University (KS)
Tugging at the Clash
Feature Photo
Jacksen Adkins
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University
Sororities, Fraternities Compete in Tugs
Andrew Comparetta
The Avion, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
Daytona 500 Flight
Alex Manuel
Technician, North Carolina State University
Fight Against Suicide
Zach Gleiter
The Daily Collegian, Pennsylvania State University
Zara Larsson Movin’ On Machete
Steve Carrasco IV
The Battalion, Texas A&M University
Rashaun Post-Game
Emma Calabro
The Daily Iowan, University of Iowa
Deluxe Bakery
Ava Stroshane
Ibis, University of Miami (FL)
Get Those Hands Up
Max Unkrich
Ascend, University of Oregon
Dowers Machete
Elvis Martinez-Cartagena
The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
Muddy Miss
Samantha Melvin
The Daily Texan, University of Texas at Austin
UT Hit by Winter Weather
Sports Game/Action Photo
Alyssa Meyers
The Baylor Lariat, Baylor University (TX)
Hawkins Battles in the End Zone
Ethan Cohen
Beach TV News, California State University, Long Beach
Borgogno Slides Into Controversial Out Call
Claire Vachon
Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Zoey Zimmerman Floor Exercise
Alivia Cranick
Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
After the Dunk
Chris Norez
The Hutchinson Collegian, Hutchinson Community College (KS)
Flying Christian Johnson
Dylan Ribott
Agromeck, North Carolina State University
Eyes on the Bar
Caleb Craig
Penn State Student Media, Pennsylvania State University
Happy Hop
Silke Eichholz
The Corsair, Santa Monica College (CA)
Tennis Return Hair Smack
Max Unkrich
Ascend, University of Oregon
James Pantemis
Samarie Goffney
The Shorthorn, University of Texas at Arlington
Boxers Brawl
Sports Feature Photo
Claire Vachon
Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Bar Routine Success
Mark Hoover
Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Bareback Bronc Competition
Angel Campoos
The Hornet, Fullerton College (CA)
Saddleback Comes Out to Celebrate
Brendan Mullin
The State News, Michigan State University
Saddleback Comes Out to Celebrate
Noah McCord
Take 30 News, Mississippi State University
Twisting Away the Tension
Dylan Ribott
Agromeck, North Carolina State University
Goal Celebration Line
Abby Schwebke
Technician, North Carolina State University
Gymnast’s Tunnel
Arthur Maiorella
The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
Bucked Up
Leydi Cris Cobo Cordon
Daily Bruin, University of California, Los Angeles
Softball Makes History With 3 Seniors Receiving AUSL Golden Tickets
Zachary Ruth
The Sunflower, Wichita State University (KS)
Tournament Celebration
Environmental Portrait
Claire Vachon
Central Michigan Life, Central Michigan University
Cost of Farming
Keyian Vafai
NYCity News Service, City University of New York
Will Mamdani Save the Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry?
Chelsea Alvarez
The Union, El Camino College (CA)
The Physics of Acting
Ian Kapsalis
The Express, Las Positas College (CA)
Splash
Violet Beesley
Agromeck, North Carolina State University
Mom’s in the Band
Margot Murphy
The Huntington News, Northeastern University (MA)
Trump Attacked Their Universities
Alexandra Antoniono
Penn State Student Media, Pennsylvania State University
Sprint Car Driver
Collin Snyder
The NewsHouse, Syracuse University (NY)
By Design
Max Unkrich
Ascend, University of Oregon
Michaela Pilkenton
Liam Britt
The Planet, Western Washington University
Jelte Wilde at the Biochar Kiln