TEXAS STATE PARKS 2023 PHOTO CONTEST RULES  

1. All entries must be taken at a Texas State Park or Natural Area.  
    
2. All entries must be uploaded to the “Texas State Parks Photo Contest” contest page, or tagged in Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TexasStateParks and #TexasParks100, between January 1, 2023 and November 27, 2023 (11:59 PM CST).  Note that an individual’s social media account privacy settings may affect entries. 
    
3. Let us know how you want to be credited if we use your picture in TPWD publications. (See “Rights to Photos”) 
    
4. Each participant may enter multiple photos.

  
ELIGIBILITY  

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) photo contests are open to all participants, except for TPWD employees and their immediate family, regardless of residence or citizenship, so long as the laws of their jurisdiction allow participation. 
   
PRIZES  

1. There will be four seasonal winners selected by a panel of TPWD judges (See “Judging Criteria for Winning Photos”)
   • Each seasonal winner will receive:
     • A Texas State Parks Pass valued at $70
     • A $100 gift card from H-E-B donated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation 
        
2. There will one overall contest winner selected though the following process:
   1. A panel of TPWD judges will select photos that best showcase Texas State Parks to submit to public vote. (See “Judging Criteria for Winning Photos”)
   2. The public will be given the opportunity to cast a vote on the Texas State Parks Woobox website. Voting will be announced on the TPWD website and via TPWD social media.
   3. The person whose photo wins the most votes will receive:
      • A Texas State Parks Pass valued at $70
      • A $500 gift card from H-E-B donated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation
      • A VIP curated experience within a Texas State Park worth an estimated value not to exceed $300. This includes two nights lodging for up to two people at a Texas State Park facility and one activity guided by Texas State Park staff. Dates subject to park availability. Does not include transportation or meals. Must be used by December 31, 2024.

 Judging Criteria for Winning Photos   

TPWD staff will choose winning photos that illustrate positive experiences at Texas State Parks. Judging will be based on composition, creativity, originality, and overall impression. Winners will be announced on the TPWD website and via TPWD social media. 

TPWD retains the sole discretion over the selection of, and decision not to select, any particular entry as a winner. TPWD shall determine the winner eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions made by judges are final.  

Winners will be contacted on or about December 2023 via email or through their social media accounts. Winners will be required to respond to TPWD via email within 7 days or an alternate winner will be selected.  

TPWD may require a higher quality resolution of the winning photograph. If a suitable resolution is not available, an alternate winner may be selected.  

Winners under the age of 18 must have signed consent form by a legal parent or guardian before they are eligible to have their photographs published in the pages of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.   

Other Terms and Conditions   

All photographs must be your own work, and you must own the right to distribute the image.  

Photos entered in the 2023 Texas State Parks photo contest may not have been entered in previous TPWD photo contests.  

You must have the consent of those whose faces are visible in the image. Upon request, you may be required to provide a release for each individual in the photograph.   

All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast, etc.) will be disqualified. Multiple exposures that have been combined to produce a single High Dynamic Range (HDR) image are acceptable. Images that do not meet these requirements may or may not be judged at the judging panel's sole discretion.   

TPWD reserves the right to refuse photographs that contain nudity, violent or offensive material or trademarked or copyrighted images.  

TPWD is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected or incomplete entries or technical errors or difficulties.  

TPWD reserves the right to adjust the contest deadline if necessary.  

By entering, participants thereby release and hold harmless TPWD, its employees and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the Contest or any prize won. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations apply.  

By participating in this contest, you agree to these terms and conditions subject to the conditions below.  

Rights to Photos   

You will retain all rights to any photograph you submit -- including ownership if applicable. By entering the 2023 Texas State parks photo contest, you grant TPWD a nonexclusive right and royalty free license, in perpetuity, to:  

Publish the images for TPWD purposes in any format, including on TPWD’s website, social media accounts and in TPWD’s publications or presentations, such as newsletters, brochures, magazine issues, fundraising appeals, public service announcements, grant proposals, reports, awards, thank-you cards, displays, mailings and invitations.  

Use, in connection with the Photo Contest, your name, city, state and country of residence in promotions and other publications.  

Keep the files provided and archive the images on disk or in other electronic forms, so that your photos can be used to support our mission and be properly credited.  

As conditions of this permission, TPWD shall credit all photographs with the caption “© Person's Name” when the full name is available, or by the participant’s social media username when the participant’s full name is unavailable.