Capture WA Photography Contest

21/07/2026

We’re cool like that 💅

13/07/2026

06/07/2026

Escape to the Bloedel Reserve 🌿✨

Our June 12th charity auction at PublicDisplay.ART isn’t just about the incredible “Elite 16” framed photographs hanging on the walls. We have also curated an exclusive lineup of silent auction and raffle packages designed to give you unforgettable Pacific Northwest experiences—all while directly supporting the International Rescue Committee.

Today, we are thrilled to highlight a crown jewel of our “Island Excursion” package: a year-long membership to the world-renowned Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.

Bloedel Reserve is a 140-acre sanctuary guided by a profound vision: that reciprocity with the land contributes to a healthy, sustainable, and inspired future. Their work is anchored in four beautiful pillars—Horticulture & Design, Conservation & Stewardship, Creativity & Inspiration, and Nature & Well-Being. They celebrate pure beauty by caring for the Reserve, building community, and deepening our relationships with the natural world.

This ethos beautifully mirrors what we are trying to achieve with CaptureWA in cultivating a connection to ourselves, to others, and to the planet, making them a perfect partner for this year’s benefit.

This incredible silent auction prize provides a full, Year-Long Membership for two household members and two guests, packed with exclusive, member-only benefits to help you connect with nature:
* 🌲 Unlimited Sanctuary: Free access to the breathtaking grounds all year round.
* 🤫 Serenity First: Access to member-only time slots on the Reserve.
* 🛍️ Curated Perks: Discounts on unique finds in The Shop.
* 🎟️ Insider Access: Invitations and ticket discounts for selected guided walks, lectures, and special events.
* 📬 The Inside Scoop: Regular E-Newsletters packed with rich behind-the-scenes stories, photos, and videos.
* 🗺️ The Ultimate Traveler Bonus: Reciprocal admission and benefits at stunning botanical gardens all across North America through the American Horticultural Society!

The catch: You must be present to win.

Get your tickets using our link in bio before they’re gone!

06/07/2026

Judge Spotlight: Charissa Soriano 📸✨

I first heard about Charissa through the IRC grapevine and was immediately captivated. Her work isn’t just photography; it’s a masterclass in storytelling.
Charissa is a documentary and portrait photographer who dedicates her lens to those who have historically been marginalized or silenced. She has a rare gift for using ordinary, quiet moments to capture the most profound concepts of life, such as home & belonging.
She doesn’t just take a photo—she takes time with her subjects, learning the heartbeat of their story to create images that, in her own words, “evoke truth and tenderness.”
In her personal work, Charissa explores themes of identity, memory, and the “in-between” spaces of the human experience. This makes her a perfect eye to help us select the Elite 16 for this year’s theme: Home & Belonging.

Charissa will be looking for the photos that don’t just look “pretty,” but those that make us feel the weight of what it means to belong.

Photographers, do you have a story that evokes truth? Submit your work at the link in our bio. 90% of all auction proceeds go directly to to help our newest neighbors find their own sense of home.

06/07/2026

This contest season’s theme may be “Home & Belonging,” but for the International Rescue Committee (), that’s a daily mission.

Since arriving in Seattle, they’ve been the first line of support for refugees, asylees, and survivors of trafficking as they rebuild their lives in WA.

Here’s a handful of the ways they turn “resettlement” into “home”:
🏠 Housing & Safety: Finding furnished homes and helping with rent.
💼 Economic Power: Job training, financial literacy, and career placement.
🌱 Education: Language classes, school enrollment for kids, and even community gardens through their “New Roots” program.
🫴 Community Support: Strengthening communities and preparing individuals to participate fully in American society.

The Payout: When you enter CaptureWA (especially the gallery event), you’re fueling these programs. No less than 90% of our proceeds go directly to this work. Let’s turn art into action.

Hit that Link in Bio to learn how to participate 👆