photo competition
an invitation to see the world as it truly is, to capture not just images but relationships, to frame the echoes of land, people, and spirit in a way that honors their story, and to offer these moments back in reciprocity – fueling community, conservation, and the fire of storytelling that refuses to fade.
Welcome to the fire.
Before the world was carved into borders, before the land was renamed, before stories were locked in books and images were taken instead of given – there was the fire. The place where truth was shared, where memory lived in the breath of the storyteller, where the land itself spoke in the tongues of those who knew how to listen.
The One Fire Photo Competition is a return to that fire. A call to those who see the world not as a collection of objects, but as a living, breathing story – written in the lines of a face, in the curve of a river, in the hands that weave, carve, and create. It is an invitation to photographers, visionaries, and truth-keepers to capture not just what is seen, but what is felt – to honor the spirit behind the image, the knowledge embedded within it, and the responsibility of carrying it forward.
These photographs are more than snapshots in time. They are embers, carried from all corners of the world, igniting new understandings, rekindling old ways, bringing us back to relation. Each image is a story given, not taken. A gift to be received, not consumed.
And like all sacred exchanges, what is given must be returned.
Captures of Creation
A celebration of the world’s Indigenous cultures through the art of photography. The Captures Of Creation Photographic Competition invites you to explore, capture, and share the beauty, diversity, and resilience of communities across the globe. Uncover the untold stories, traditions, and experiences that deserve recognition and appreciation.
Narration: Andrew D Flanagan
Role: Writer
Native Land / Region: Name Name
Take a seat at the digital campfire.
Our Photographic Competition is an exciting platform that invites photographers from all backgrounds to capture the beauty, diversity, and essence of Indigenous cultures, landscapes, and communities worldwide. This competition serves as a celebration of Indigenous cultures while also offering a unique opportunity for photographers to showcase their talent and passion for visual storytelling.
Join us in using the power of photography to preserve, share, and celebrate Indigenous cultures and stories. Your lens can be a powerful instrument of change and connection.
stories from the spaces in between
Through the Photographic Competition, we aim to promote cross-cultural understanding, celebrate Indigenous heritage, and support emerging talents in the field of photography. We see photography as a powerful medium to capture not only moments in time but also stories, emotions, and the rich weaving of Indigenous cultures that create our world. Ultimately, our vision is to create a platform where these visual narratives can be shared, appreciated, and serve as a source of inspiration and awareness for a global audience.
We Are All Stories. Stories Connect Us. Stories Define Us.​
Join our Photographic Competition and be part of a transformative journey that celebrates Indigenous cultures and stories from around the world. Our competition is open to photographers of all levels, backgrounds, and ages, ensuring a diverse and inclusive portrayal of Indigenous communities. With a global reach, we encourage entries from photographers worldwide, providing a rich tapestry of narratives.
By participating, you not only have a chance to win cash prizes and camera equipment but also the opportunity to have your work showcased on The VA Network, reaching a global audience. We prioritize community engagement, working closely with Indigenous communities to ensure respectful representation and consent for the subjects in the photographs.
Selected photographs will be featured in online exhibitions and potentially in publications, expanding the impact of your work. Plus, we offer educational components such as workshops and webinars, fostering learning and collaboration among photographers.
Themes That Transcend.
Explore, Capture, and Share your story, your way.
<p style=”text-align: center;”>The themes of The VA Network’s Photographic Competition are more than just subjects for your lens; they are windows into lives, cultures, histories, and contemporary realities. By participating in this competition, you are not only showcasing your photographic talent but also becoming a storyteller, a bridge between cultures, and a guardian of narratives that deserve to be heard. Each theme invites you to explore, capture, and share the beauty, resilience, and uniqueness of Indigenous communities worldwide. </p>
cultural traditions
Photographs that capture the vibrancy of Indigenous ceremonies, rituals, dances, and cultural practices.
land & Environment
Images that showcase the breathtaking natural landscapes, ecosystems, and the relationship between Indigenous communities and their environment
people & Portraits
Portraits that convey the strength, resilience, and unique identities of Indigenous individuals and communities.
Art
Photographs that celebrate the artistic talents of Indigenous artisans, from traditional crafts to contemporary artwork, to music and dance, all forms of artwork, whatever that means to community.
community life
Images that offer a glimpse into the daily lives, celebrations, and community bonds of Indigenous groups.
resiliance & revival
Photos that depict the preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages, traditions, and customs.
Your photographs have the power to transcend borders, evoke emotions, and inspire change. Through your lens, you can shed light on the intricate interplay of tradition and modernity, celebrate cultural diversity, and advocate for social and environmental justice. Every image you submit is a testament to the importance of preserving and sharing Indigenous stories, ensuring that they resonate across generations and cultures. So, embrace these themes as invitations to connect, learn, and make a lasting impact through your photography.
Themes That Transcend.
Explore, Capture, and Share your story, your way.
The themes of The VA Network’s Photographic Competition are more than just subjects for your lens; they are windows into lives, cultures, histories, and contemporary realities. By participating in this competition, you are not only showcasing your photographic talent but also becoming a storyteller, a bridge between cultures, and a guardian of narratives that deserve to be heard. Each theme invites you to explore, capture, and share the beauty, resilience, and uniqueness of Indigenous communities worldwide.
Your photographs have the power to transcend borders, evoke emotions, and inspire change. Through your lens, you can shed light on the intricate interplay of tradition and modernity, celebrate cultural diversity, and advocate for social and environmental justice. Every image you submit is a testament to the importance of preserving and sharing Indigenous stories, ensuring that they resonate across generations and cultures. So, embrace these themes as invitations to connect, learn, and make a lasting impact through your photography.
Prizes
For the winners, there are exciting prizes that include cash awards, state-of-the-art camera equipment, and the prestigious recognition of having your work featured on The VA Network. Yet, the true reward lies in the impact your photographs can have. By shedding light on the often overlooked aspects of Indigenous cultures, you’re contributing to a broader conversation about heritage, diversity, and the preservation of traditions.
But it doesn’t stop there. The proceeds generated from the sale of winning photographs during our touring exhibitions go directly back to the Indigenous communities they represent or are nominated by the photographers. Your images can become a powerful tool for empowerment, supporting education, cultural preservation, and community well-being. So, as you embark on this photographic journey, remember that your lens has the potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of many, transcending borders and fostering a sense of global unity.
Native Land
Native Land
what people are saying
Our competition has garnered praise and recognition from photographers, artists, and cultural enthusiasts around the world. These testimonials reflect the deep impact that this initiative has had on both the participants and the broader community. Whether it’s the celebration of diverse Indigenous cultures, the empowering platform it provides for photographers, or the meaningful connections forged through storytelling, the competition has resonated with individuals who share our commitment to preserving and sharing Indigenous narratives. Read on to hear their voices and experiences, and join us in celebrating the power of photography to create understanding and bridge cultures.
partners & sponsors
These invaluable partners share our vision of promoting Indigenous cultures and storytelling through the art of photography. Their support not only makes this competition possible but also enables us to amplify the voices of photographers from diverse backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. Through their commitment, we can celebrate the beauty, resilience, and diversity of Indigenous communities worldwide. We are proud to collaborate with these sponsors, who recognize the power of imagery to convey stories, emotions, and the essence of Indigenous cultures. Their contributions help us shine a spotlight on the extraordinary talents of photographers and the rich tapestry of Indigenous narratives they capture
This is more than a competition. This is an act of storytelling in right relation. A fire that continues to burn.
Competition Details
Photography is more than just capturing a moment – it is a way of seeing, remembering, and honoring the world. This competition invites photographers of all backgrounds to explore themes of custodianship, resilience, and cultural identity, sharing powerful visual narratives that challenge, inspire, and reconnect us with the land and its people.
From the voices of Indigenous knowledge keepers to the landscapes that have shaped humanity for generations, this competition is an opportunity to document, celebrate, and protect what matters most. Through storytelling and reciprocity, we give back—because photography should not only reflect the world but help heal it.
Prizes for this competition are not just awards – they are catalysts for change, tools to empower storytellers, and direct contributions to the communities and lands that these stories emerge from. Winning isn’t just about recognition – it’s about what happens next. The funds generated from this competition do not disappear into bureaucracy; they are returned to the people, the lands, and the cultures that shaped these images. Every photograph sold contributes directly to tangible, long-term impact – supporting community projects, cultural preservation, and conservation initiatives that keep these stories alive for generations to come.
Dates
Open for submissions: [Start Date]
• Submission deadline: [End Date]
• Judging period: [Dates]
• Winners announced: [Date]
Custodian Award
Grand Prize
$10,000 Grant
To fund a storytelling project, photographic journey, or initiative that continues the work of sharing the untold stories of the world.
Feature Exhibition – The winning work will be the centerpiece of the One Fire Festival, displayed in a touring exhibition across multiple countries.
Published & Featured – The winning images will be published across the VA Network, featured in our digital and print publications, and shared globally.
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Guardians of Story
Category Winners
$3,000 Prize
To support their ongoing work as a visual storyteller.
Exhibition Inclusion – Their work displayed at the One Fire Festival and online in the VA Network’s Story Archive.
Featured Spot in VA Network Media – A dedicated showcase of their story and process.
The Firekeeper’s Choice
People’s Choice Award
$5,000 Prize – Awarded to the photographer whose image ignites the most engagement and connection, as chosen by the global community.
All Finalists Receive:
A Place in the Exhibition & Print Sale – Every finalist’s work will be part of the One Fire Exhibition, with prints sold to raise funds for Indigenous-led community projects.
Revenue Share from Print Sales – 33.3% goes to the photographer, 33.3% supports community initiatives where the images were taken, and 33.3% funds land conservation efforts.
Global Recognition – Featured on the VA Network’s platforms, ensuring their work reaches audiences worldwide.
Guardians of the Fire
Categories
Our competition spans several categories, each designed to capture a different facet of the rich, diverse, and enduring connection between people, culture, and the land. Each category offers a unique opportunity to showcase your vision and bring to light the stories that need to be heard.
The Faces of Fire
Portraits of people who embody wisdom, resilience, and change-makers who are keeping traditions and futures alive.
Portraits of Place
Not just landscapes, but land as a living entity. Places with story, places that hold memory, places that speak.
Tradition in Motion
Capturing the hands that weave, carve, hunt, dance – expressions of knowledge passed through generations.
Elements of Life
Water, earth, fire, air – photographs that capture the elements as more than resources, but as kin, as spirits, as forces that shape all things.
Threads of Connection
The relationships that bind us, the gestures of care, the unspoken bonds between people, place, and time.
Giving Back
Impact
All proceeds from the competition go towards supporting Indigenous photography programs, funding community-led storytelling projects, and restoring lands through conservation partnerships. Winning images will be exhibited in a traveling gallery, amplifying the voices and perspectives that need to be seen and heard.
Projects
33.3% to grassroots community projects, ensuring these stories are living, breathing acts of survival and resilience.
Peoples
33.3% to the people and places behind the images, honoring their role as the true keepers of these stories.
Places
33.3% to conservation and land protection initiatives, ensuring the places that hold these memories remain for the generations yet to come.
A panel of leading Indigenous and non-Indigenous photographers, activists, and storytellers, including:
Judges
Our esteemed panel of judges represents a diverse group of professionals, each with a deep commitment to storytelling, cultural preservation, and environmental justice. They bring with them a wealth of experience in both the creative and cultural spheres, ensuring that the stories captured through your lens are given the platform and recognition they deserve. The judges will evaluate submissions based on artistic merit, cultural relevance, and impact, with a focus on authenticity and the power of the story.
Andrew D Flanagan
$10,000 Grant
To fund a storytelling project, photographic journey, or initiative that continues the work of sharing the untold stories of the world.
Feature Exhibition – The winning work will be the centerpiece of the One Fire Festival, displayed in a touring exhibition across multiple countries.
Published & Featured – The winning images will be published across the VA Network, featured in our digital and print publications, and shared globally.
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Guardians of Story
Category Winners
$3,000 Prize
To support their ongoing work as a visual storyteller.
Exhibition Inclusion – Their work displayed at the One Fire Festival and online in the VA Network’s Story Archive.
Featured Spot in VA Network Media – A dedicated showcase of their story and process.
The Firekeeper’s Choice
People’s Choice Award
$5,000 Prize – Awarded to the photographer whose image ignites the most engagement and connection, as chosen by the global community.
All Finalists Receive:
A Place in the Exhibition & Print Sale – Every finalist’s work will be part of the One Fire Exhibition, with prints sold to raise funds for Indigenous-led community projects.
Revenue Share from Print Sales – 33.3% goes to the photographer, 33.3% supports community initiatives where the images were taken, and 33.3% funds land conservation efforts.
Global Recognition – Featured on the VA Network’s platforms, ensuring their work reaches audiences worldwide.
fuelling a Fire That Never Goes Out
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The images captured here will not fade into archives, will not be buried in forgotten folders. They will move, like flame leaping from log to log, carried into new hands, new hearts, new lands. They will be displayed at the One Fire Film Festival, where they will stand as living testimony to the beauty, resilience, and wisdom held in every place, every face, every tradition.
They will be carried across the VA Network, a permanent digital campfire where these stories will continue to be told, seen, and honored. And through prints, they will find their way into homes, into spaces where their presence will be a reminder—a call to remember, to listen, to act.
This is more than a competition. It is a ceremony. A return to story. A call to bring back what was lost and to ensure that the fire keeps burning for those yet to come.This is your invitation to step into the fire. To share what you see, to let your lens become a vessel for story, for truth, for connection. Every image holds power – power to witness, to honor, to ignite, and to make a difference.
Guardians of the Fire
Major Partners
For those who walk beside us, carrying the weight of shared vision and responsibility. These partners provide core funding, infrastructure, and strategic support, ensuring the VA Network thrives and expands. They are woven into the very foundation of this work, shaping the stories that are told and the impact that is made.
