Rural County Photo Contest Returns for 8th Year

Help Highlight Inyo’s Splendor Statewide

The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is accepting entries now through the end of the month for its popular digital photography contest aimed at highlighting and celebrating life in California’s rural counties. The contest, now in its eighth year, is used to promote tourism and economic development in RCRC’s member counties.

“The contest invites individuals to submit their photographs capturing life in rural California and showcasing the beautiful scenery, activities, communities, history, and charm of RCRC’s 40 member counties,” RCRC Communications Director Carolyn Jhajj said.

Tulare County was the subject of the 2023 winning photo, taken by Arlene Winfrey. Inyo County got its time in the spotlight the year before, with a grand-prize winner taken by Jay Coberly of Modesto. 2021 saw Monterey County taking home top honors.

Fifth District Supervisor, Board Chair and RCRC Delegate Matt Kingsley is eager to see Inyo County well represented again this year, with the top prize going to another locally shot photo.

“Inyo County is rich with the scenery, history, and rural charm being sought by the contest, and it also has no shortage of talented amateur photographers living and visiting here year-round,” Kingsley said. “I strongly encourage interested residents and visitors to enter the 8th annual contest to help showcase and celebrate the beauty and wonder of Inyo County.”

The contest is open to anyone in the general public age 18 and older, with a limit of three photos per person. Photo entries should be sent to photocontest@rcrcnet.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2024; must be the original work of the submitter; and must include: 

• Location where the photo was taken, including the county in which it was taken; and 

• Photographer’s full name and email address. 

All photographs must be submitted digitally in high resolution (no less than 300 dpi) .jpeg, jpg., or png. format and no larger than 10 MB. The digital photograph should not have any text, “water mark,” or logo on it.

The winning photo will be selected at the RCRC Board of Directors meeting in July and unveiled at the September RCRC annual meeting in Sonoma County. The winning photo may also be used in various marketing materials or work products distributed throughout California and the U.S. throughout the next year. The grand prize winner will receive a $300 Visa gift card; second place, a $150 gift card; and third place, a $75 gift card.

For more information about the photo contest, including the official rules, visit www.rcrcnet.org/photo-contest.