- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Local Photographer Earns Top Honors at Chicago Competition
Mike Baker's creative image 'Launch to the Next Outpost' recognized as Best of Show and second place overall.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:52am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Local photographer Mike Baker was awarded the Image of the Month and Best of Show honors by the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA) for his creative photograph 'Launch to the Next Outpost'. Baker's image was also selected as the second-best photo out of all entries submitted to CACCA's annual competition, recognized for its originality, creativity, and strong visual impact.
Why it matters
The CACCA competition is a prestigious regional event that draws talented photographers from across the Chicago area, making Baker's achievement a significant accomplishment that highlights his skills and the creative vision he brings to his work.
The details
Baker's award-winning photograph 'Launch to the Next Outpost' was entered into CACCA's Individual Creative Contest, where it received the top honor of Best of Show for November 2025. The image was then judged to be the second-best photo of all entries submitted to CACCA over the past year, with the judges praising its originality, creativity, and strong visual impact.
- Baker's photo 'Launch to the Next Outpost' was awarded Best of Show in November 2025.
- The image was selected as the second-best overall entry at CACCA's year-end competition in 2026.
The players
Mike Baker
A local fine arts photographer and the president of 3rdEye Photographic, who concentrates on producing unique and striking photographic works.
Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA)
A regional association that runs monthly photography competitions for its thousands of members across nearly 35 camera clubs in the Chicago area.
Photogenesis Camera Club
A camera club in Naperville that Baker belongs to, which is a member of the CACCA association.
What they’re saying
“It's an honor to have 'Launch to the Next Outpost' recognized across CACCA's community of talented photographers. The image reflects my approach to elevating everyday architecture — transforming a familiar space into something imaginative and unexpected. To be selected as Image of the Month/Best of Show and then awarded second place overall at CACCA's year-end competition is deeply meaningful.”
— Mike Baker, Photographer
What’s next
Baker plans to continue sharing his photographic knowledge and passion with other members of the Photogenesis Camera Club, and will likely enter more of his creative works into future CACCA competitions.
The takeaway
Mike Baker's award-winning photograph 'Launch to the Next Outpost' demonstrates the power of creative vision and technical skill in elevating everyday subjects into striking, imaginative works of art. His success in the prestigious CACCA competition highlights the vibrant photography community in the Chicago area and the opportunity for local artists to gain regional recognition.
