Summary
- VSCO has announced the first 25 photographers selected for The Fifty from more than 13,500 submissions.
- The project will ultimately feature 50 creators, one from every state in the United States.
- The first installations have begun in Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle, while the first 25 images will appear in Times Square starting October 16.
- Each selected photographer receives an honorarium and additional professional benefits from VSCO.
VSCO has announced the first 25 photographers selected for The Fifty, choosing them from more than 13,500 submissions for billboard and other large-format public displays across the United States.
The project will ultimately feature 50 photographers, one from each U.S. state, with the remaining 25 expected to be announced in early November. The first installations have begun appearing in Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle, while the first 25 images are also scheduled to appear on the NYSE digital billboard in Times Square starting October 16.
More than 13,500 submissions for The Fifty
The Fifty open call drew more than 13,500 submissions, which VSCO describes as the largest open call in its history. The first selected group spans different areas of photography, including portraiture, documentary photography, landscape, weddings and everyday life.
The project is built around featuring one photographer from every state in the place where they live and work, moving their images from a digital platform into large-scale physical public spaces.
The first 25 photographers
| State | Photographer |
|---|---|
| California | Lin Bvtcher |
| Colorado | Constance Jaeggi O’Connor |
| Delaware | Samantha Stetzar |
| Florida | Nat Segebre |
| Georgia | Zach Deloach |
| Idaho | Weston McGhee |
| Illinois | Hilary Higgins |
| Iowa | Isabella Bigley, Bella Jean Photo & Film |
| Kansas | Reed Hoffmann |
| Massachusetts | Austen Risolvato, Big Shot Bun Company |
| Michigan | Meg Loeks |
| Minnesota | Madeline J.G. |
| Mississippi | Chauncey Mangum |
| Missouri | Jess T. Dugan |
| New Hampshire | Shawna Gibbs |
| New Mexico | Curtis Ray Benally, Turkeyboy Photography |
| New York | Joana Meurkens |
| Ohio | Kate Sweeney |
| Rhode Island | Nico Amato |
| South Carolina | Gracie Herron |
| Tennessee | Madison Rensing |
| Utah | Axel Molina |
| Virginia | Hendrick Robles |
| Washington | Lauren Puyleart |
| West Virginia | Braiden Maddox |
What each selected photographer receives
Each photographer selected for The Fifty receives an honorarium, features across VSCO’s website and social channels, one year of VSCO Pro, a virtual portfolio review and access to a members-only workshop with The Freelance Photographer.
The public campaign materials do not state a specific honorarium amount. Display formats may also vary by state and can include other large-format placements rather than a conventional billboard in every case.
When the public rollout begins
The first campaign installations began rolling out during the week of the announcement in Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle. Starting October 16, the images from the first 25 photographers will also appear on the NYSE digital billboard in New York City’s Times Square, with additional installations rolling out across the country in waves.
The remaining 25 photographers are expected to be revealed in early November, completing representation across all 50 states.
What we think
The significance of The Fifty is not only the scale of the public display, but the fact that visibility is paired with compensation and professional support. For photographers, that makes the initiative more practical than exposure alone, although the public materials do not disclose the honorarium amount or the full licensing terms.
Frequently asked questions
How many photographers have been announced so far?
VSCO has announced the first 25 photographers selected for The Fifty. The remaining 25 are expected in early November.
How many submissions did The Fifty receive?
The open call received more than 13,500 submissions from photographers across the United States.
Where will the photographs appear?
The work will appear on billboards or other large-format public displays in the photographers’ home states. The first 25 images will also be shown in Times Square starting October 16.
What do the selected photographers receive?
Each selected photographer receives an honorarium, digital features from VSCO, one year of VSCO Pro, a portfolio review and access to a dedicated workshop.
Can photographers still submit work?
No. The submission window closed on September 10, 2026, and the project is now in the selection announcement and public rollout phase.
