Innovia Foundation is pleased to open its seventh annual photo contest under the theme: America 250. As we reflect on America at 250, we invite you to share photographs that celebrate what makes our region so special — capturing your community’s civic pride, history, and everyday moments that reflect hope and possibility for the future.

Contest closes Friday, July 31 at 11:59 p.m.

General Categories:

People 

Who makes up your community? Share images of the leaders, workers, kids, or residents that give your community life.  

Landscape/Wildlife 

How does nature enrich your community? Share photos of the farmland, lakes, mountains, forests, wildlife, or other natural wonders in your community.   

Arts and Culture 

What makes your community vibrant? Share images that showcase the arts and culture of your community.  

Community 

What makes your community unique? Share photos of iconic events, celebrations, or places that define your community.  

Nonprofit Mission in Action 

Who serves your community? Share images of your favorite nonprofit in action.

Youth Category (Ages 0-17)

What do you love about where you live? Take a photo and share with us. Open to photographers ages 0-17.

Prizes:

1st place overall will receive a $1,000 grant to your favorite 501(c)3 nonprofit of your choice, a canvas print of the winning image, and showcasing on the Innovia website. 

1st place in each category will receive a $200 grant to your favorite 501(c)3 nonprofit of your choice, a canvas print of the winning image, and showcasing on the Innovia website. 

2nd place in each category will receive a canvas print of the winning image, and showcasing on our website. 

3rd place in each category will receive showcasing on our website. 

Submission Guidelines:

• Entry is free and open to residents of Innovia Foundation’s 20-county region (click here to see a map of the region). There is a limit of five submissions per entrant. 
• Entrants to the Youth Category (under 18) must provide permission from a parent or legal guardian to submit. 
• No print entries accepted. Only electronic files submitted via our photo contest submission portal will be entered into the contest. 
• Normal processing of the original file is acceptable. See below for more details.
• Electronic file name must include entrant’s first initial and last name, i.e. JSmith.jpeg (include number if submitting more than one—JSmith1.jpeg)  
• Innovia Foundation reserves the right to reject any entry deemed not suitable for consideration due to objectionable content such as the use of profanity, nudity, drug, alcohol or tobacco use, or cruelty to persons or animals.

Image quality: Minimum 3600 x 4800 pixels  

Format: .jpeg or .png (up to 250MB)  

Normal processing of the original file is acceptable. That includes:  

● cropping 

● minor adjustments to color, white balance, tone, lighting levels and curves, shadows and highlights, saturation, contrast, sharpness 

● moderate dodging and burning 

● stitched panorama 

● sharpening, removal of dust spots and moderate reduction of image noise

Photographs that have been digitally or otherwise altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified. That includes:  

● AI generative fill, expansion, or image creation

● HDR frame stacking 

● images that have been manipulated by the addition, removal, or alteration (painting over, cloning, or blurring) of anything in the original subject and scene that were photographed 

● borders, signatures or watermarks 

● changes in color so significant that the processed colors are widely different from the original colors  

Note: Your media submissions authorize Innovia Foundation to use your media in marketing materials. You are responsible for obtaining permission to photograph or record subjects featured in your submission. All photos and/or videos must be original work, taken by the entrants. No third party may own or control any materials the photo contains, and the media must not infringe upon the trademark, copyright, moral rights, intellectual rights, or rights of privacy of any entity or person. No compensation will be provided for the use of submitted media, other than prize awards outlined below. Media credit opportunities may or may not apply and are at the discretion of Innovia Foundation and its media partners.