With all the love our readers show for the annual DCist Exposed Photography Show, we figured this was right up your alley. FotoWeek DC is a new photography festival with the backing of just about every single photography related person and organization in the metro area. Founded by National Geographic and local fave photo shop Chrome Imaging, the week-long event will feature exhibits in nearly every gallery and museum throughout the city, countless lectures and workshops, and a big photo contest open to the public, with the winners honored at a gala at NGS headquarters at the end of the week.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait all the way until November to enjoy the festival, but you photographers out there can get involved now. Fotoweek opens their contest today, with categories for professionals, students and amateurs that range from Fine Art and Photojournalism to Sport and even Weddings; as well as an overarching Spirit of Washington category for all entrants. Four winners will be chosen in each of the specialized categories and put on display at a venue in Georgetown through the week.

This is a real opportunity for each of you with a camera and a bit of talent (and we know of a few of you out there) to get your work seen by some amazing names in photography. The jury panel is made up of Pulitzer Prize winners, photographers and photo editors from publications like National Geographic and the Smithsonian Magazine, as well as architects, designers and directors of museums — hey, even Tipper Gore! If that sounds intimidating, you’ll find a familiar face in at least one juror, DCist Arts Editor Heather Goss (Heather will also be co-curating a show during the festival with The Pink Line Project). Each entry costs between $10 and $25, depending on which category and how early you enter; see the web site for all the contest rules.