2026 American Photography 42

2026 American Photography 42

The Photography Program at California Baptist University is proud to announce that several student works have been honored by the jury of the 2026 American Photography 42 (AP42), one of the most prestigious and competitive annual photography competitions in the industry.

From more than 6,000 submissions received internationally, the work of four standout CBU students rose to the top:

• SELECTED for Publication in the AP42 Annual Book:

  • Jaydon Miller

  • Juliette Doan

  Their photographs are among only 368 images chosen by majority vote to be featured in the American Photography 41 hardcover book, set to be published in November 20226. Each winning image will be printed in full color with accompanying creative credits and will also be showcased in the official online and in-person exhibitions.

• CHOSEN for Inclusion in The ARCHIVE Online Collection:

  • Noelle Joy Gmyr - two works

  • Noah Witt

  These students earned the distinction of receiving at least four votes from the AP42 jury, placing them for permanent inclusion in The ARCHIVE—AI-AP’s exclusive online juried collection. This platform serves as a searchable professional resource for creatives and editors worldwide, offering lasting visibility and networking opportunities for rising photographers.

The jury for AP42 included top photo editors and creative directors from WIRED, Harper’s, Smithsonian Magazine, WSJ Magazine, The New Yorker, Apple, Lonely Planet, and The New York Times Magazine, among others.

To learn more about the Photography program at California Baptist University, visit www.cbuphotography.org.

SELECTED for the Book

CHOSEN for website

The AI-AP juried award annuals, offering high visibility and well-deserved recognition where it matters most, are still published in all their large-format, luxurious, hardcover glory, staying true to their founding principles of celebrating great photographers and illustrators, lavishly showcasing commissioned and personal work that's ahead of its time, while honoring the publications, creatives, and agencies responsible for assigning and utilizing the winning images. Students and schools are also celebrated right alongside established and emerging artists.

Founded in 1982 by a committee of esteemed illustrators and art directors, AI-AP was created as a direct alternative to other leading organizations and companies of the day, which it was thought were not recognizing unconventional, "cutting-edge" work that was being produced by unheralded artists who were pushing the boundaries of commercial work. See history here.

The acclaimed AI-AP books, objects of beauty and debate, published annually in November, are the first and foremost go-to resources for art directors, designers, photo editors, and art buyers who insist on assigning only the best original, thoughtful, and compelling pictures.