The Essence of People in Hawai‘i Photo Contest
is now closed and no longer accepting entries.
The Essence of PEOPLE in Hawai‘i – Statewide Photo Contest
What is the essence of your image that helps you to express your love for all of the wonderful things that people do in Hawaiʻi?
Only images with people in them that have been created in Hawai’i in 2018– 2019 are eligible for entry.
Open to professional photographers, amateur photographers, students, visitors and all residents who are “like-minded image creators” of Hawai’i.
- Contest open for entries on: June 25th, 2019
- Contest entries close on July 25th, 2019 -10pm HST
- A maximum of 5 images, per person can be entered
- Contest entry fee is $15, for up to 5 images
- Winners will be selected by a group industry experts
Judges will determine winners by applying the predetermined criteria.
Judging will be based on 30% with the contest theme of People in Hawaiʻi. 30% Technical Proficiency, 40% Artistic and Visual Impact.
Significant prizes from our generous sponsors and partners will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners Plus 30 honorable winners on September 6th. 6:30pm at PhotoCon Hawaiʻi, Neal S. Blasidell Center.
You already have images of people! Now get ready to enter.
PRIZES

1st Place winner
- Light in Motion Stella CL 1000/2500 Rugged Waterproof LED light $399.99
- AxisGO housing, pistol grip, Ultra Wide Angle Flat Port, Leash and lens cap. Price per kit: $397
- Manfrotto Befree GT Carbon Fiber Tripod twist lock, ball head :$389.99
- Phase One Capture One Pro 12: $299
- B&H Photo Video ProAudio Gift card: $300
- Lowepro Photo Sport BP 300 AW II, Black: $219.95
- Japan Hobby Tool EASYWRAPPER XL Camoflage $69
- Be one of the judges for next years photo contest
2nd Place winner
- AxisGO housing, pistol grip, Ultra Wide Angle Flat Port, Leash and lens cap. Price per kit: $397
- Phase One Capture One Pro 12: $299
- B&H Photo Video ProAudio Gift card: $200
- JOBY GorillaPod 3K PRO Kit: $149.95
- Japan Hobby Tool EASYWRAPPER XL B&W Camoflage $36
3rd Place winner
- Phase One Capture One Pro 12: $299
- B&H Photo Video ProAudio Gift card: $100
- Japan Hobby Tool EASYWRAPPER Medium $24
JUDGES
Alan M. Low
Art Director • Graphic Designer • Chief, Cook & Bottle Washer
Born and raised in Honolulu, Alan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In his over 30 years in the profession, he has developed his design abilities through extensive experience in a broad range of graphic and environmental projects. Alan is particularly skilled at analyzing and distilling complex information and developing highly effective visual communications.
Over the years, Alan Low Design has collaborated on corporate and brand identity programs, product packaging, environmental signage, exhibit graphics, and corporate collateral projects. Alan is the recipient of numerous local and national awards and recognitions.
For eight years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Honolulu Chapter of the AIGA, the professional association for design and now sits on their senior advisory board. He is also a design lecturer at Pacific Media Arts.
Alan is one of Hawaii’s tallest designers and if he had any spare time, he’d like to take a nap.
Sean P. Dee
Outrigger Hospitality Group
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Sean Dee is Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Outrigger® Hospitality Group, responsible for developing and deploying global marketing, brand, revenue management, and sales strategies.
Mr. Dee joined Outrigger from Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) Worldwide, where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Prior to AEG, Mr. Dee was the first EVP- Chief Marketing Officer for Hard Rock International, Inc… His expertise in digital marketing and traditional media was honed early in his career at Levi Strauss & Company where he led the pioneering teams that launched the company into the e-commerce marketplace in the mid-1990’s.
Mr. Dee began his career as a media and account executive for the advertising agency Foote, Cone & Belding San Francisco, becoming their first VP of Digital Marketing. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University and certification from the Stanford Mass Media Institute while holding a myriad of production credits and industry awards dating to the early 1990’s.
He lives in Honolulu with his wife Brooke and daughters Alexandra and JP, and enjoys an active outdoors lifestyle coupled with a love for travel. He supports numerous organizations including the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Waikiki Aquarium, Waikiki Community Center, and Henry Kapono Foundation.
David Ulrich
Professor and Co-director
Pacific New Media Foundation
DAVID ULRICH is a professor and co-director of Pacific New Media Foundation in Honolulu. He teaches frequent classes and workshops and is an active photographer and writer whose work has been published in numerous books and journals including Aperture, Mānoa, and Sierra Club publications.
Ulrich’s photographs have been exhibited internationally in more than 75 one-person and group exhibitions. He is the author of Zen Camera: Creative Awakening with a Daily Practice in Photography. www.creativeguide.com
Cody Roberts
Professional Photographer
The 2018 PhotoCon Essence of Hawai’i 1st place winner
Based on the island of Maui, Cody finds his photographic inspiration from a passionate quest to understand our connection with mother nature. His artistic vision focuses on conveying distinct perspectives of Hawai’i’s raw and powerful landscapes, while promoting the conservation of the islands’ endangered ecosystems.
Cody’s reverence for creative expression and wilderness preservation has led him to spectacular locations across Maui through continued work and support with numerous environmental organizations. He has since developed Pono Visions, a dedicated brand for sharing his imagery as fine art, to inspire wonderment and peace within viewers and collectors worldwide.
April Rutherford
Anthology
Senior Vice President – Executive Creative Director – Advertising
As Senior VP and Executive Creative Director for the Anthology’s Advertising Group, April excels at developing ideas that are both innovative and finely targeted. Her passion for getting to the heart and soul of a brand leads to advertising that is striking, memorable and always relevant. She has won numerous local and national awards for her work, and has been named Hawaii Advertising Federation’s Ad Woman of the Year. She has also served on the American Advertising Federation-Hawaii board for 6 years and 3 of those as President.
Her belief in giving back through the years, has led to the collaboration and creation of campaigns and collateral work for the Hawaiian Humane Society, Honolulu International Film Festival, Cat Friends and Hawaii Mental Health.