Photography Contest

Photography Contest 2026

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presents its 19th Annual Photography Contest! This year's theme is "Proud of New Jersey: Celebrate 250 Years of New Jersey Through Your Lens." Capture the people, places, and stories that define the Garden State - past and present. The contest submission form is available to download here. The deadline to submit photos was May 22, 2026 (extended from May 15). After the deadline, the photographs will be judged by professional photographers and the best ones will be celebrated at our opening reception. The contest and related events are free and open to the public of all ages. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

Photos are on display at the New Brunswick Free Public Library from June 12 through July 11, 2026. The winning and selected photos are also be exhibited from June 12 through July 5, 2026, at the Heldrich Hotel, located at 10 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ. To view the photo exhibit at the New Brunswick Free Public Library, please call 732-745-5175 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to make an appointment. To view the winning and selected photos at the Heldrich Hotel, please call 732-729-4670.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

We would like to thank the following sponsors and supporters for their generous and continued support of our 19th Annual Photography Contest

Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

New Brunswick Cultural Center, 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Hamilton BBQ Restaurant, 841 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ 08873

The Original Picken Chicken, 228 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

George Street Camera, 344 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Evelyn’s Restaurant, 45 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Fritz’s Restaurant, 115 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Victoria’s Tratta Italiano Restaurant, 94 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Destination Dogs, 101 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Thomas Sweet, 55 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Douglas Pizza & Grill, 298 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Previous Photography Contest Presentations

You may view the presentations of previous submissions, including winners, with the following links:

Previous Photography Contest Reception Photos

You may view photos of previous years’ Receptions on our Flickr page. Here are links to a few recent albums: