Lightning illuminating the New York City skyline and Brooklyn Bridge at night

THE NORTHEAST, THROUGH YOUR LENS

When the sky
takes the stage.

Severe storms. Electric skies. Northern lights. Celebrate the Northeast’s most extraordinary weather through your lens.

FIRST EDITION · SUBMISSION DATES COMING SOON

NEW YORK CITY · LIGHTNING
Photo: Nicholas Isabella
THE ELIGIBLE NINE

NJ / NY / PA / VT / CT / MA / NH / RI / ME

A REGION WORTH LOOKING UP FOR

Big weather.
Your perspective.

A sculpted supercell. Lightning across the horizon. Northern lights filling the night sky.

Phone or camera, coast or countryside: the photograph and its story come first.

The idea behind the contest →

SIX AWARDS. NINE STATES.

Find your category.

Category guidelines →
01

Storm Photo of the Year

One exceptional photograph of severe convective weather: storm structure, a supercell, a shelf cloud, or another severe-thunderstorm scene.

02

Storm Photographer of the Year

A three-photo severe-weather portfolio judged on consistency, range, and storytelling across the eligible capture period.

03

Tornado Photo of the Year

A photograph of a tornado, supported by a precise capture time, general location, and verification context.

04

Lightning Photo of the Year

A single-exposure lightning photograph that captures the power, structure, or atmosphere of a thunderstorm.

05

Photojournalism Award

An accurate, contextual photograph documenting severe-weather impacts, response, or recovery, with a factual caption.

06

Solar Storm / Aurora Award

An authentic photograph of aurora or northern lights associated with geomagnetic activity, captured within an eligible state.

THE BEST SHOT IS THE ONE YOU COME HOME WITH

Great photographs. Good judgment.

Follow weather warnings, respect closures, and photograph from safety.

Read the safety standards →