A CALL FOR PHOTO SUBMISSION - Share your hiking stories along the trails
Welcome to our very first NSHC First Outdoor Photo Contest to celebrates the joy of exploring Washington’s trails through your Photography. From mountain summits to forest paths of PNW, we want to showcase the moments to the world that you captured and connect us to the nature through your art of photography. We are thrilled to view your hiking stories along the trails.
Our winning photographs will be featured in our 2026 NSHC Calendar and our official website (https://nshchikingcommunity.org) and Social Media, giving photographers the opportunity to share their vision of the outdoors all year long. Contest winners will also receive special prizes and recognition for capturing the spirit of hiking in the Pacific Northwest.
# Winners will:
- Receive prizes
- First: REI Gift Card worth $300.00
- Second: Patagonia Gift Card worth $200.00
- Third: Woodland Zoo ticket for 4 person (Family Combo)
- Bonus Category Instagram (Public Choice): Movie Tickets for 2 (Couple Combo)
- Be featured in the 2026 NSHC Calendar, official website and Social Media Instagram and facebook
- Winners will be notified via email
# Photo Contest Categories
- Main Category: Nature/Hiking Trail
(Photos can be of nature, trail or landscape showcasing the beauty of PNW and mention the trail
name.)
- Only 3 photos allowed to submit per participant
- Bonus Categories (unlimited entries allowed):
Instagram (Public Choice) – Follow @nshc.outdoors on our Instagram and tag
@nshcphotohike2025 to enter
The highest number of likes with comments will be announced as a Instagram (Public Choice)
winner
# Photos Contest Rules:
- The contest is open to all photographers, amateur or professional.
- Entrants must be 18 years or older or have parental/guardian consent if under 18.
- NSHC member, contest judges, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.
- Photos must be original, taken by the entrant, and not previously published or submitted to other contests.
- Photos can be of nature, wildlife, trail or landscape showcasing the beauty of PNW you captured along the trail and mention the trail name. Entrants must have permission from any recognizable individuals appearing in their photos.
- An official entry form must be completed for each photograph submitted. Only 3 photos allowed to submit per participant, however unlimited for Instagram category.
- Drone or aerial photography is not accepted.
- AI-generated or AI-altered images are not permitted.
- All photographs must follow Leave No Trace principles.
- Entries showing unsafe, off-trail, or environmentally harmful behavior will be disqualified.
- All photos must be taken in Washington State.
- Entries that violate privacy or contain inappropriate, offensive, or unsafe content will be disqualified.
# Submitting Photos
- All entries must be submitted electronically via this official pollunit platform
- Format: JPEG, high resolution encouraged up to 3 MB only
- Limit: Maximum of 3 entries allowed per participant
- Deadline: Nov 09th, 2025, 8:00 p.m. PST
# Judging & Prizes
Entries will be evaluated based on:
- Originality
- Composition
- Technical quality
- Artistic merit
- Overall impact
A panel of judges selected by NSHC will review photo submissions.
All judging decisions are final.
# At NSHC, our mission is rooted in:
Community – Bringing people together to experience, appreciate, and share a deep passion for the outdoors and conservation.
Well-being – Believing in the power of nature to heal and nurture a healthy, happy life.
Inclusivity – Ensuring everyone feels welcome and safe in the outdoors.
This contest is more than a celebration of photography—it’s a chance to tell the story of our trails, our people, and our shared commitment to protecting the places we love.
For questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact:
📧 nepalseattlehikingcommunity@gmail.com