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How Does Chase The Light Work?

Image credit: Rush Sal

Registration is a $25 suggested donation that helps cover our cost to produce the event, and anything above that amount helps us raise critical funds that support scholarships and our annual calendar of free public programs. However, to remove financial barriers, you can register for free. If you’d like your own personal print of your selected Chase The Light image you can add $20 to your registration.

Image credit: Ravleen Kaur

Join participants across the globe in 48 hours of image-making worldwide. Make photographs between Saturday, June 13th, and Sunday, June 14th. Use hashtags #chasethelight2026, #pcnwchasethelight, and #photographiccenternw when posting to social media.

Image credit: Chris Lyon

Submit up to five photos taken during the photo shoot to be looked at by a panel of jurors. One image will be selected from each participant to be featured in a pop-up exhibition and print sale. Submission dates: Monday, June 15th by 12pm (noon) for digital and Wednesday, June 17th by 12pm (noon) for analog (all times are PST). Details about the submission process can be found here.

Image credit: Larry Norban

Join us Saturday, June 20th for the pop-up exhibition, print sale, and community celebration. All participants that submit will be included. This event is a great way to discover new photographers, expand your collection, meet other artists and support PCNW.

Jurors

Erin Spencer
Gallery Manager, Photographic Center Northwest

Judy Lee
Artist/Founder, weBelong

Amyia Chea-Carroll
Programs Coordinator, Seattle Art Museum

Lex Nikol
Photographer and Creative Director, citizenM

Thom Sempere
Associate Curator of Photography, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at University of Oregon

Kris Graves
Photographer, publisher, and board member of Blue Sky Gallery

Alanna Edwards
Curator of Art & Education Initiative, Surrey Art Gallery

Chase The Light Programming

Wondering what you’re going to do for your Chase The Light adventures this year? We have you covered with a myriad of photo walks designed to inspire. Participants must be registered for Chase The Light to join the walks and learn from these talented teaching artists. These are a great opportunity to embark on a creative adventure with fellow photographers.

We have an exciting range of programs that include:

Activate your creative side with Chase The Light and register for a free program today!

Chase The Light Programming

Wondering what you’re going to do for your Chase The Light adventures? We have you covered with a myriad of different workshops and photo walks around town that will inspire your creativity. The catch is you have to be registered for Chase The Light to learn from these talented teaching artists, so don’t delay as the global photo weekend is less than a month away! These programs are meant to help you make photographs to submit to Chase The Light while having fun with your peers! 

We have an exciting range of programs that include:

Want to explore Seattle at your own pace during Chase The Light weekend?

Check out our list of inspiring spots that we recommend to guide your adventure and spark creativity along the way:

  1. Start off at the Seattle Waterfront. Pier 66 or the new park at Pier 62 are great launch points. Stroll along the water to the Great Wheel, a perfect place to capture the city’s energy.

  2. Next, head to TASWIRA Gallery (open 11am -6pm), or Solas gallery (open Saturday only 1pm-5pm) and check out some art and photography to leave you inspired.

  3. Wander through the brick-lined Occidental Park, in Pioneer Square.

  4. Make your way to the city’s hidden oasis Waterfall Garden for dreamy photographs of water in motion.

  5. Finally, stop by Chatwin Arts Gallery from 2 – 5:30pm on Saturday June 14 to rest, hydrate, and chat with Adair Freeman Rutledge. Her exhibition, The Royals, is on view June 5 – July 5.

Our Labs are Open for Chase The Light

Image credit: Lilly Everett

Ready to bring your vision to life?

PCNW’s labs are open  for a festive weekend of creativity during Chase The Light! Whether you’re experimenting with cyanotype, perfecting analog prints, or polishing digital files, come hang out and work on your Chase The Light submissions for free on Saturday, June 13th and Sunday, June 14th (12–6pm).

Lab access is open to all registered Chase The Light participants, and we’d love for you to bring your friends along to join the fun. To reserve your space, just give us a call at 206-720-7222 or email frontdesk@pcnw.org starting one week before the big weekend. 

#MyHiddenGemCTL

Image credit: Josie Presley

We’re challenging you to show us your hidden gem—the spots that feel personal, underrated, and uniquely yours. Whether they are alley murals, misty side streets, quiet cafés, rooftop sunsets, ferry views, and neighborhood corners most people walk past, we want to see it.

How to Enter:

  1. Follow Photographic Center Northwest on Instagram (@photocenternw)
  2. Post your photo of a local hidden gem
  3. Use the hashtag #MyHiddenGemCTL 
  4. Tag a friend who should join the challenge

 

All skill levels are welcome to join the hashtag challenge! A panel of PCNW staff members will select the top three creative images, and winners will receive a tote bag filled with swag, books, and goodies. Winners will be notified via Instagram by June 30th, 2026. You must be registered for Chase The Light to receive your prize. Good luck!

Special Chase The Light Discounts!

Our 12th Avenue neighbor, Rhein Haus, is offering 10% off your total tab on June 15th until 11pm! Celebrate at PCNW, discover new artists and then pick up a coupon to take next door.

Our friends at Lucky Rabbet Framing are offering 10% off custom framing* so you can get your Chase The Light prints framed after the pop-up exhibition!

*Does not apply to gallery sales of Lucky Rabbet featured artists. 

Join Us!

Explore Chase the Light

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REGISTER
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How to submit