WV Rivers Coalition 35th Anniversary Photo Contest

WV Rivers Coalition 35th Anniversary Photo Contest: Rules and Guidelines 

Overview 

In celebration of our 35th year as West Virginia's statewide clean water advocacy group, WV Rivers Coalition is excited to announce a photo contest highlighting the beauty and importance of West Virginia’s rivers and streams. Winning photos will be featured in our 2025 calendar, with photographers acknowledged for their work. 

Contest Theme 

The theme of the contest is “Wild and Wonderful Waters.” We’re looking for stunning, original photographs that capture the essence of West Virginia’s rivers and streams -- whether it’s a tranquil scene, wildlife, recreation, or the connection between people and water. 

Eligibility 

• The contest is open to all photographers, amateur or professional, of all ages. 
• Photographs must be taken within the state of West Virginia. 

Submission Guidelines 

• Submission Period: The contest will run from September 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2024. 
• File Format: Photos must be submitted in JPEG format. Files should be high resolution. Only photos formatted in landscape will be selected for the calendar. 
• Entry Limit: Participants may submit up to three (3) photos. 

Photo Requirements 

• Originality: All photos must be original work, taken by the entrant. Previously published photos are welcome, provided that the entrant has the full rights to the image and grants WV Rivers Coalition permission to re-publish the photo in our 2025 calendar and related promotional materials. 
• Content: Photos must depict rivers, streams, or water bodies within West Virginia. Submissions must not contain any watermarks, borders, or signatures. 
• Editing: Minimal editing is allowed (e.g., cropping, color correction). 
• Permissions: If your photo includes identifiable people, you must obtain their permission to submit the photo and provide a signed release form upon request. 

Judging Criteria 

• Relevance to Theme: How well the photo captures the theme “Wild and Wonderful Waters.” 
• Composition: The visual balance, framing, and focus of the photo. 
• Creativity: Originality and artistic expression. 
• Technical Quality: Clarity, sharpness, and overall image quality. 
• Public Voting: The cover photo will be selected by the public through online voting. Sign up for WV Rivers Updates or follow us on social media to be alerted when the voting goes live on October 4, 2024. 

Prizes 

• Grand Prize: The grand prize winner’s photo will be published on the cover of the 2025 WV Rivers Coalition calendar, with a full-page feature inside. The winner will also receive a $100 cash prize and a one-year WV Rivers Coalition membership. 
• Monthly Winners: Twelve photos will be selected for each month of the calendar. Each monthly winner will receive acknowledgment in the calendar, a free copy of the calendar, and ten 35% off coupon codes for their own WV Rivers Calendar to share with family and friends. 
• Honorable Mentions: Up to ten honorable mentions may be selected and featured on our website, blogs, and social media. 

Announcement of Winners 

• Winners will be notified via email by October 11, 2024. 
• The official announcement will be made on WV Rivers Coalition’s website and social media platforms in October 2024. 

For any inquiries regarding the contest, please contact us at wvrivers@wvrivers.org. 

We look forward to seeing your beautiful and inspiring images of West Virginia’s rivers and streams!