The Virginia Climate Center Student Photo Competition
First Place Winner: Rockbridge Baths Solar Array photographed by Madelyn Jones
Second Place Winner: Collections at the Creek photographed by Jamisyn Maes
Visualizing Virginia’s Climate Story
We asked Virginia’s high school and college students to submit photographs depicting their communities’ unique experiences with climate change in Virginia. Together, these photos tell a story of the resilience that Virginians are continuing to cultivate in response to one of humanity’s biggest challenges. Winning photos will be used to help educate communities about the local implications of global climate change and the benefits of climate solutions here in the Commonwealth.
Submissions were judged by VCC staff for relevance to the topics of Virginia-specific climate change impacts, solutions, and community engagement as well as by George Mason University Professor of Photography J Carrier for photo quality and originality.
With the help of our collaborators at the Associated College Press and National Scholastic Press Association, we are proud to announce this year’s winners of the Virginia Climate Center Student Photo Competition! Meet our winners below.
“Rockbridge Baths Solar Array” photographed by Madelyn Jones, 2023.
1st Place - Madelyn Jones
Madelyn Jones is a high school junior currently taking Photography II and working to develop her own style and aesthetic as it applies to photography. Her favorite subject to explore is the landscape that surrounds her in Rockbridge County.
In her first-place winning photograph, Madelyn captured a moment inspiring hope as the sun set over a new solar array in Rockbridge Baths, Virginia.
Madelyn’s photography portfolio can be viewed on her Instagram page @j0nes.photography.
“I believe that photography has the power to affect change, and to provide viewers with a different perspective. For example, in my photo, I feel that the solar panels are a reflection of how there is beauty in trying to create sustainable solutions to climate change.”
“Collections at the Creek” photographed by Jamisyn Maes, 2023.
2nd Place - Jamisyn Maes
Jamisyn Maes is a college senior graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in conservation. She grew up in Washington State and ventured to the East Coast to pursue academic opportunities after attaining a General Associate Degree from Bellevue College. Following her graduation, she plans to dedicate her time to conservation field research, continuing to expand her experiences and knowledge.
Jamisyn photographed a scene of George Mason University students conducting water quality testing of Smiley Creek in Front Royal, displaying meaningful community engagement with environmental issues among young Virginians in her second-place winning photograph “Collections at the Creek.”
“I believe photography is a powerful tool that can move the public to take climate action, the arts have a way of capturing connectivity in a way statistics can’t. We’re all connected, the planet and its people, art helps us feel that. ”
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Virginia Climate Center Student Photo Competition! VCC thanks all students who participated and invite all to join us again next year!
Special thanks to our collaborators at the Associated College Press and National Scholastic Press Association for helping us to host the competition and to George Mason University Professor of Photography J Carrier for his photography expertise.
