Keep your cameras at the ready as you explore and experience the best of Canada and the West Coast this summer – the Amateur Photographer of the Year contest is back for 2024, with more than $6,000 in prizing!

The West Coast Traveller’s biggest annual contest is back! The Amateur Photographer of the Year contest, powered by the West Coast Traveller and Black Press Media, returns for its sixth year, with a travel trunk’s worth of prizes to be won.

From mountain peaks to vibrant cities, your own backyard to the vacation of a lifetime, we can’t wait to see where your travels have taken you!

In addition to bragging rights as the Amateur Photographer of the Year, the grand prize features round-trip airfare for two to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton or Calgary, courtesy of . The package, valued at $2,686, also includes a two-night stay for two in a deluxe room at any and two nights of Aurora viewing for two people from .

The first-place prize from , valued at $1,300, includes a for two, featuring admission to: the Banff Gondola, Golden Skybridge, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Columbia Icefield Skywalk, Maligne Lake Cruise, Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Open Top Touring! You’ll also enjoy $600 toward a stay in a two-bed cabin at , in Lake Louise, Alta.

Second place, valued at $1,000, will take you to for a legendary B.C. river rafting adventure! Enjoy two nights in a cabin at Kumsheen Resort paired with a full-day Thompson River paddle or power rafting trip, and three meals for two adults.

Third place is $1,000 towards a luxury yacht rental from .

Also up for grabs are a $200 grocery gift card for the People’s Choice Award winner and a $100 grocery gift card for one lucky voter in the People’s Choice Award category.

So, with so many prizes to be won, how do you enter?

First, browse the categories in this year’s contest:

• Scenic Canada – Scenic or landscape photography captured anywhere in Canada
• People & Portraits – Portrait-style photography of a person or group of people (must have permissions of those in the photo)
• West Coast Travel – Photos taken along the West Coast of North America – BC, Alberta, Yukon, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.
• Wildlife & Nature – Photos captured of animals, wildlife, plants etc.
• Local Gems – Images taken of local spots, hidden gems or anything that symbolizes where you live in BC, Alberta or Yukon
• #InstaFavs – Instagram favourites (including mobile phone photography)

Second, select your best photos and enter today – here’s how it works:

Simply visit , where you can choose the appropriate category(ies) and upload your photo, being sure to include where the photo was taken and your name.

Upload a minimum of five photos to one or more categories to qualify for prizing, ensuring you select the appropriate category for your entry (note that duplicate entries and entries submitted in the wrong category will be rejected).

Be sure to read the for full details.

Learn more at