Focus Areas

• Culture
• 1. Cultural Activities.

     Are you a foodie? Show us your Missouri cuisine. What music did your family enjoy? How did grandma and grandpa get about the city? Has anyone in your family worked in a now vanished business or institution (think mom and pop shop, one-room schoolhouse or VHS rental store)? What are your farming practices, or better yet, those of past generations? How did your people entertain themselves in the 19th, 20th or 21st century? Etc.

  2. Historically underrepresented groups.

     Action photographs and those with a story are preferred over studio and informal portraits. Did the subject(s) break barriers? Do something awesome? How did they triumph over adversity? Keep their culture alive? Etc.

• Events
• 1. Important events

     in Missouri history (1904 World’s Fair, 1911 Capitol fire, Great Flood of 1993, COVID-19 pandemic, etc.)

  2. Lesser-known events

     that affected our state (1875 grasshopper plague, 1968 Kansas City riots, 1985 “I-70” World Series, etc.)

  3. Local festivals

     (harvest, music, food, arts, etc.)

  4. Other events

     that had a public impact (local parades, grand openings, etc.)

• People
• 1. Not-so-famous Missourians

     whose achievement(s) affected more than just family. All the better if the subject is depicted mid-achievement. (The first woman to hold office in your county. A scientist demonstrating a breakthrough. An advocate for significant legislation. A town’s founder. Artists, authors, musicians—anyone who made an impact.)

  2. Famous Missourians.

     Again, action photographs and those with a story are preferred over studio and informal portraits.

• Places
• 1. Important sites

     (landmarks, battlefields, tourist attractions, etc.)

  2. Architecture

     (unique construction methods, historic homes, covered bridges, etc.)

  3. Natural Sites

     (outdoor destinations, state parks, etc.)