Bousquet Holstein PLLC invites high school students in grades 9-12 who reside in Onondaga or Tompkins counties to enter its 18th annual High School Photography Contest now through Oct. 29. The firm launched the contest as part of its ongoing commitment to education and the arts in Central New York. This year’s theme, “Life in Focus: Capturing the Human Story,” encourages students to develop their creative voice while exploring the power of photography to tell stories.

The 2026 theme was inspired by the Everson Museum of Art’s exhibit “Life: Six Women Photographers.” Six pioneering women used their cameras to document life in all its complexity, from global events to intimate, everyday experiences. Their images reveal not only what was happening, but how it felt to witness it. Bousquet Holstein invites students to explore the quiet or powerful moments that define what it means to be human. Through their lenses, students are encouraged to capture the emotions, connections, and experiences that often go unnoticed in everyday life.

“The Everson exists to champion artists, and that includes the ones just discovering their voice,” said Elizabeth Dunbar, director and CEO, Everson Museum of Art. “Photography teaches young people to see the world with curiosity and empathy, and this contest gives them a reason to pick up a camera and create. We’re thrilled to partner with Bousquet Holstein in inspiring the next generation of artists.”

A panel of artists, photographers, and Bousquet Holstein attorneys will review the submissions and select 20 finalists. The contest winners, honorable mentions and 20 finalists will be announced at a private reception at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse in November 2026.

First, second and third place winners will receive monetary scholarships as a prize. The first-place winner’s photo will be featured on the cover of the firm’s annual Thanksgiving card. Last year’s contest winner was Morgan Kelder from Fayetteville-Manlius High School for her photograph, “Community Bound by Books.”

“For 18 years, this contest has been one of the ways Bousquet Holstein supports the arts and celebrates the creativity of young photographers,” said Larry Bousquet. “Photography has the power to preserve moments, spark emotion, and tell stories that might otherwise go untold. We look forward to seeing how local high school students interpret the Everson exhibition, ‘Life: Six Women Photographers,’ through their own lens.”

Eligibility and entering

High school students (grades 9-12) in Onondaga and Tompkins counties are eligible to enter. Students must be enrolled in high school for the fall 2026 semester. Students are not required to be in a photography or art class to participate. Photo submission instructions and contest rules can be found at bhlawpllc.com/photocontest.

For questions, please contact Haley Dubnoff, director of marketing, at (315) 701-6384 or by email BHMarketing@bhlaw.com. For more details, including contest rules, the subject release form and previous winners, visit bhlawpllc.com/photocontest.