Amazing child photographers emerge from National Geographic photo contest
National Geographic is recognizing some of the most talented child photographers in the world, with the announcement of the winners of the 2014 National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids.
Thirteen-year-old Grace Chung from Saratoga, Calif. won the international grand prize for her up-close portrait of a gecko in the Amazing Animals category. Chung has won a five-day, four-night trip to Washington, D.C., and a tour of National Geographic headquarters.
As the grand prize winner of the U.S. competition, Chung will also receive a "National Geographic Costa Rica Family Adventure". Other first place category winners from the U.S. will receive a 20.1-megapixel digital camera, an 8GB memory card, and several copies of the National Geographic Kids books.
A total of 16,752 entries were received from all parts of the globe for the international contest, including Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. Three of the four international runner ups were from the United Kingdom.
"More than ever, photography is a great way for people - and especially kids - to show their perspective on the world," said Rachel Buchholz, editor of National Geographic Kids in a press release. "What they produce is funny, creative and sometimes surprising, and we're excited to see our contest grow more and more each year."
2014 Winners List
Grand Prize Winner, 1st Place Amazing Animals Category
Grace Chung
Age 13
United States
Runner Up, 1st Place Dare to Explore Category
Ben Duursma
Age 13
United Kingdom
Runner Up, 1st Place Weird But True Category
Olivia Bertie
Age 14
United Kingdom
Runner Up, 1st Place Wild Vacations Category
Olivia Moll Pinnell
Age 11
United Kingdom
Honorable Mention
Amazing Animals Category
Marija Okrlar
Age 14
Slovenia
Dare To Explore Category
Damla Nermin Ince
Age 13
Turkey
Weird But True Category
Jack Girton
Age 12
United States
Wild Vacations Category
Mihail Nikolaev Kamenov
Age 12
Bulgaria
