4-H photography project

dog runs across a dock and jumps into the water — Photo credit: Sarah K, Benton County 4-H. She took multiple shots and overlaid them using photo editing software. She won a purple ribbon at the 2017 Minnesota State Fair.

Tell your story using photography!

What can you do?

In the photography project, you can:

Learn about equipment basics, taking sharper pictures, lighting and flash techniques.
Explore photo composition, approaches, sequencing and evaluating photographs.
Use multiple cameras and even assemble a whole production team.

These are just some of the many ways you can participate in this project.

Upcoming events

Dec

Minnesota 4-H A Day in the Life Photo Challenge

Online

Project information

Project resources

Get started with 4-H'ers in your area

Contact your local 4-H office for more info.

Get started on your own

Online video lessons

Youth can use the hashtag #MN4HPhotoProject on Facebook and Instagram to share their photos using the new skills they have learned from these lessons.

Leading lines

Light

Color

Composition

Photo and video release forms

Smartphone photography 101

Try different genres

Portraits: Photograph people alone or in small groups.
Photojournalism: Display 3-5 photos together with captions. Together, they tell a story.
Close-up: Print three images taken with a normal lens, macro lens or microscope.
Light experiment: Take three photos of the same thing in different kinds of light.

Record keeping

Reflect on your project and what you've learned using 4-H record keeping.

Project opportunities

girl holding her photo of a rooster — Katie M. of Mille Lacs County 4-H won a purple ribbon at the 2018 Minnesota State Fair for her portrait of a rooster.

Participate in photo activities

To take your photography skills further, you can participate in photography challenges and contests that are provided throughout the year.

Past entries and grand prize winners

Take a look at past entries and grand prize winners for inspiration.

2023

2022

Hit Me with your Best Shot Photography Contest - Contest entries came from 12 Midwest states.
Photo Scavenger Hunt

2021

Capture What’s Great in Midwest States Photography Challenge
Black and White Photography Challenge - Contest entries came from 11 Midwest states.

2020

Other ways to get involved

Enter your photos into a competition.
Use your photography skills to help a local nonprofit organization tell their story, advertise their services or win a grant.
Organize a field trip to a local business to see how they use photography to publicize what they do.
Teach a workshop on photography or image editing at a day camp.

For adult volunteers

Photography project resources for volunteers

Find training, camera kits and more support for volunteers on our 4-H Volunteer Resource Center site.

Interested in getting involved as a photography project volunteer?

Contact your local 4-H office or learn more about volunteering in 4-H.

Fair information

Showing at the fair

What does it mean to show at the fair?

For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the Minnesota State Fair) are not just fun events. They provide youth opportunities to exhibit the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year– and to continue their learning.

Contact your local 4-H office for photography project showcase opportunities near you.

Exhibit ideas and judging criteria

Get exhibit ideas and find out what the judge is looking for in the evaluation sheet and rubric

How to prepare your photos for the fair

How to prepare your photo exhibit for the fair (slideshow)

Other information

Talent release form in English and Spanish You will need to have these signed by people who appear in your video if it will be displayed at the fair or any other public place.