2026 Best In Show Photographic Print Competition

Best in Show 2026, the largest amateur photographic print competition in the area, returned to Champaign-Urbana in what is now the 25th year! This competition was open to amateur photographers in Champaign County and the surrounding 11 counties and is the largest such competition in east-central Illinois with more than 300 entries. Scroll down to see all the winners! 

In addition to the Champaign County Camera Club (CCCC), there were eleven sponsors of the Best in Show competition.The Urbana Park District assisted with all phases of the event including submission collection, hanging the prints, and communicating with participants. For information about Urbana Park District programs, call 217/367-1544 or visit the UPD website at urbanaparks.org. We gratefully acknowledge Lincoln Square Mall for providing the space for the show. Images were displayed in the mall Saturday, February 7th through the morning of Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at noon. Larry Kanfer Gallery and Illini Studio provided funding for the top image awards. Trophy Time donated all place-winner ribbons; Prairie Gardens, International Galleries, Dixon Graphics and Art Coop also provided prizes. MTD provided advertising space. The generosity of all these businesses is important to making this such a popular public event. CCCC thanks to them all for their generosity.

All competitors were eligible for the competition’s top prizes, except those entered in the Club category who receive ribbons only.

A huge “thank you” to our judges!

The Best in Show competition depends on having competent and knowledgeable judges donate their services. This year’s judges were no exception and included:

Jodi Adams - Jodi has been enchanted with photography since a very young age. In 2008, she completed her degree in photography at Columbia College Chicago. Since then she has added yoga instruction, skydiving and occupational therapy to her repertoire  as well! Through her rich experiences, she has honed her ability to see beyond the conventional surface and explore the ever-changing landscape of the natural world. Jodi’s work can be found at the Allerton Park Cafe, Bohemia on Main in Urbana, Amara Yoga & Arts, Vital Flow Massage in Urbana, Yoga Off the Square in Monticello, and at the Illinois State Museum Gift Shop in Springfield. Or visit her website at http://www.jodiadams.net.

Craig McMonical - Craig has been a photographer for over thirty-five years. He received his BFA from Ohio University in 1983, and his MFA from the University of Illinois in 1987. Craig was on the staff of the University of Illinois from 1985-2002, and taught Parkland College from 1994 until retiring in 2015. He has also taught classes on the history of photography for OLLI here in Champaign. Craig has lectured on photography and his own work at Washburn University in Kansas, at Central Michigan University, and for the National Society of Arts and Letters, and curated or juried more than a dozen photography and art exhibitions for institutions such as Krannert Art Museum and Parkland Art Gallery, not to mention our own Best in Show! In addition to several national exhibitions, his work has appeared in the collections of the Mulvane Museum, Krannert Art Museum and the Museo de la Fotografia in Argentina.

Holly Birch Smith - Holly is a business & brand photographer based in East Central Illinois. She collects lobsters, loves socks, and is obsessed with iced & hot tea. She’s owned Holly Birch Photography for 19 years and has worked with many local, regional, & national brands to market their products and services with high-quality, eye-catching images. She thrives on helping both small and large businesses with their product, marketing, website, and social media photo needs. She lives in Mahomet with her husband Aaron, their children Max & Hadley, and their cats, Lucy, Moo, & Benny.  See her work and learn more about her at http://www.hollybirchphotography.com.