Jurors for My Mint Star
A heartfelt thank you to our jurors for their time and participation.
Open to all photographers who live in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
My Mint Star Mobile Photo Contest
Show us your best shot and win amazing prizes!
In celebration of ANNIE LEIBOVITZ / WORK, The Mint Museum, Biggs Camera, and The Photo Classroom invite you to participate in a photography contest celebrating the stars in your life.
Whether it’s your mother, best friend, mentor, coach, or coworker, we want you to capture the people who inspire, support, and uplift you—the way Annie Leibovitz captured icons and everyday heroes alike.
Enter for a chance to win a Nikon ZF + 40mm f2 lens, classes from The Photo Classroom to learn your new rig, Mint memberships, and be spotlighted on our platforms.
Whether you’re a longtime hobby photographer or just starting out, this is your chance to showcase your talent and win incredible prizes.
Submission period: June 9–27.
CONTEST RULES
How to enter:
Capture a photo with your cell phone that reflects your unique perspective and highlights the “star” in your life.
Tag @TheMintMuseum, @BiggsCamera, and @ThePhotoClassroom on Instagram and use the the hashtag #MyMintStar
Include a short caption sharing why this person is your star
Submit your entry below!
Submission Period: June 9–27
Winners Announced: August 4
(Please note, only selected finalists will be contacted; those not chosen will not receive individual notifications.)
For questions about your entry, please contact clayton.sealey@mintmuseum.org or chelsea.hidalgo@mintmuseum.org
-
Makayla Binter is a creator, organizer, and catalyst based out of Charlotte, NC. Originally from Upstate New York, she moved to NC to get her degree in Biology and Studio Art at Davidson College in 2020. In August of 2022, she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Urban Design from UNC Charlotte and has collaborated with organizations like Converse, The Carolina Panthers, The Charlotte Hornets, Sierra Nevada, Adobe, Urban Outfitters, TD Bank, Ally and the ACC, Champion, and Nike. She currently works as the Creative Catalyst for a local 501c3 non-profit organization, Charlotte Is Creative.
-
Meshaal Malik is a portrait photographer based Charlotte, NC and Long Island, NY. She draws inspiration from her roots in Pakistan. Specializing in fashion and beauty, she loves collaborating with small businesses. She has been featured in exhibitions and magazines over the past decade. Meshaal keeps it simple, capturing diverse stories through her lens. She is dedicated to showcasing diversity and supporting small businesses through her photography. She is reshaping fashion and beauty photography, making a lasting impact on the industry.
-
Kevin “Surf” Mitchell is a nationally renowned creative professional specializing in videography, photography, and installation art. He is best known for his acclaimed photography series Couch Surfing, which documents and explores the lives of traveling artists across the country. Mitchell’s work has been featured by major national and local media outlets and organizations, including Apple Inc., Apple Music Live (Shot on iPhone campaign), Queen City Nerve (formerly Creative Loafing), BET, Dreamville, Universal Music Group, and other prominent record labels and brands. A proud Charlotte native, Mitchell continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling through innovative and culturally resonant creative work.
-
Representing one of our generous sponsors, Biggs Camera, Tomlinson is a Charlotte-based photographer and owner of Flaming Chicken Studio.
-
Corine Olarte VanderVoort (she/they) is a queer Filipina immigrant photographer. She promotes radical self-acceptance by providing transformative photoshoot experiences where people feel empowered to embrace their full, multi-dimensional selves—acknowledging their professional side, creative spirit, and moments of vulnerability. Their commitment to holistic empowerment extends through the Eat Like an Artist™ Community Initiative, which actively challenges the “starving artist” myth through both its podcast and its in-person community club for women and non-binary creatives in photo + video production in Charlotte, NC.