William G. Ericson Photography Competition and Scholarship

What, exactly, is the William G. Ericson Photography Competition and Scholarship?

The William G. Ericson Foundation, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation was incorporated in 2017. Its purpose is to further photographic art education.  The Ericson Foundation partnered with the Pasadena City College Foundation in 2022 and created the competition and scholarship program to honor the life work of "Bill" Ericson.

William G. Ericson (August 13, 1944 - August 5, 2017) was raised in a publishing family and spent his life in the business. His true passion and profession, however, was photography. He considered himself a photographer above all else. He carried lessons from his parents about the meaning of community.

After graduating from South Pasadena High School, Ericson earned an A. A. from Pasadena City College. He graduated with a B. A. in photography from University of California, Berkley. He went on to become a professional photographer who created iconic images for the motion picture and advertising industries. With his family he owned and published the South Pasadena Review, a weekly community newspaper, and The Quarterly Magazine, an upscale lifestyle magazine in the San Gabriel Valley featuring his photographs.

There are two divisions:  Beginner (PACCD High Schools) and Advanced (PCC students).  See the FAQ section below for eligible high schools.  Here's how you can enter the competition and qualify for scholarship funds:

• High School Students - speak with your counselor, photography instructor, or yearbook/newspaper advisor to get started.  You can access your online application HERE.  
    
• Pasadena City College Students - connect with photography faculty through the division of Visual Arts and Media Studies.  You can access the online application HERE.
• Get familiar with the competiion guidelines and categories.
• Photo submissions may be by analog or digital camera, black and white or color, and printed on high gloss photographic paper before submitting.  
• The student must take the photo and each student is allowed to enter only one photo in one category.  Group work is not permitted.
• Students must also write a 100-word maximum statement on how the scholarship funds will help to further their photography education.
• All submitted photos become the property of the PCC foundation and the William G. Ericson Foundation. The foundations reserve the right to display the photos and publish the photos to promote and publicize the contest.