Kalona

Calling all future photographers — the annual Kalona Optimists Photo Contest is returning soon.

Students who are in middle school and high school from Mid-Prairie, Hillcrest Academy, Pathway Christian School and area homeschool programs are eligible to participate. 

Students may submit up to two photos, with submissions accepted now through May 15. The final photo submitted by each student will be the one judged.

The Kalona Optimists have hosted the contest for several years and say they are always excited to highlight young photographers in the community. 

Entries can be submitted through a link available on the Kalona Optimists Facebook page.

Contest organizer and Kalona Optimist member Roger Weber said the goal is to encourage students to explore photography and creativity.

“They really like it, and we want to motivate the students,” Weber said.

According to contest rules, the Iowa City Camera Club will select the top six photos in each age group based on creativity, photography skills and artistic expression. 

Each age-group winner will receive a People’s Choice Award plaque and a $100 gift card.

The top six photos from each group will be displayed during Kalona Days, June 19 from 6–9 p.m. and June 20 from 8 a.m. to noon. The selected photos will also be exhibited throughout the summer, including the week of June 22 at the Kalona Public Library, the week of June 29 at CBI Bank, and the week of July 6 at Hills Bank.

Hillcrest Academy art teacher Bryn Hovde, who has taught at the school for over 10 years, said photography gives students a meaningful way to express themselves.

“Each student who comes in has their own way of seeing the world, and that’s something really unique and valuable,” Hovde said. “My goal is to help them pay attention to what interests them and learn how to tell a visual story using the tools they have.”

Kalona Optimist Ken Wehr shared how photography played an important role in his wife’s artistic career, illustrating how closely photography and art can be connected.

“My wife was an artist who also used photography to support her work,” Wehr said. “During a trip to England, she shot dozens of rolls of film and later sold paintings based on those photos, which helped pay for the trip. Photography allowed her to capture details and turn them into art.”

Weber said he encourages students to focus more on storytelling than technical perfection.

“One of my biggest recommendations to students is to take their cell phones and go out and shoot as many photos as possible,” Weber said. “Often, it’s more about telling a story than the technical side of the picture.”

Hovde also spoke about his own journey into photography, noting it was not his primary area of study.

“I’ve grown to really enjoy photography, learning it gradually and building my skills over time,” he said. “It’s become a powerful way to tell stories and capture how I see the world.”

Wehr added that patience is an important part of the creative process, recalling his wife’s disciplined work ethic.

“She would work from morning until evening,” he said. “She’d put her eight hours in and do as many as 13 photos in that time.”

Hillcrest’s art program recently received new computers, and Hovde said students are using Affinity Photo, a program he described as easy to learn.

“It’s more immediate and has less of a learning curve, which has been great,” he said.
  Hovde said students have shown strong growth this year.

“They’re doing really well,” he said. “It takes time to get comfortable and develop your own way of seeing the world, but it’s been rewarding to see how differently each student approaches their work.”

Weber also noted the contest’s positive impact on the community.

“The Chamber of Commerce display has been well received,” he said. “Staff have said people often come in asking about the exhibit, so it’s helped bring more visitors into the space. It’s really been a win-win.”

Students interested in submitting a photo can find entry information on the Kalona Optimists Facebook page. Submissions will be accepted through May 15.