Theme and Deadlines

Seasonal Theme: Up

Deadline: Midnight June 21, 2025

The season's theme can be taken in a variety of ways with no obvious subject. If, for example the theme was “Flicker.” Someone could take a photo of a flickering campfire, light reflecting on the water, starlight, an interesting scene behind a fan that causes a flickering appearance, or an actual flicker (a species of bird). All these entries and many other variations would be acceptable. As part of the entry process, you will be asked to write a short description of what inspired the photograph and how it relates to the season’s theme. For the flickering campfire example above, the description might be, “The flickering campfire provided silhouettes of campers enjoying a perfect summer night.”

Submission Guidelines

Each participant must submit both the original unedited image and the final edited version. If you choose not to edit your photo you will submit the same file twice (with different names in the submission box for unedited and edited version.)

Submitted images must be taken within Stagecoach State Park, Adams SWA / Blacktail Conservation Easement, Sarvis Creek SWA, or BLM/Forest Service. Please note that Adams SWA / Blacktrail Conservation Easement is closed seasonally from December 1 to June 30 for elk winter range. Additionally, some areas are open seasonally to hunting. State Park passes are required for entry into Stagecoach State Park. A valid hunting license, fishing license, or wildlife pass is required for entry into Blacktail Conservation Easement and entry to the Sarvis Creek SWA. Passes may be purchased at the park office.

Please be aware that drones may NOT be flown within the State Park, or Adams SWA / Blacktail Conservation Easement or Sarvis Creek SWA.

Photos should be in a high-resolution format (png, jpeg, tiff, or heic).

Any people within a submitted photograph should not be identifiable.

Submissions must be the original work of the entrant.  

AI-generated or excessively manipulated images are not allowed.

Participants can submit an unlimited number of photos, but a $10 fee is required for each submitted photo.

Do not approach wildlife disturbed nests, dens, or otherwise cause stress to animals. Remember if an animal changes its behavior because of your actions, you are too close.

All applicable laws and regulations must be adhered to.

Entry Fee

A $10 entry fee applies per photo submitted. Payment instructions will be provided upon registration.

Judging Criteria

A panel of three judges will review all submissions, and their decisions will be final. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria at five points each per judge for a total possible score of 45 points. A minimum score of 27 is required to win. If no entry receives the minimum points the contest will be declared invalid and no winner will be announced. Photos will be judged on the following three parameters:

-Adherence to the theme and location requirements (photos must be taken within Stagecoach State Park or contiguous Public Land) 15 points;

-Creativity and originality 15 points;

-Technical quality (lighting, composition, sharpness, etc) 15 points.

Prizes

Seasonal winners will receive:

A $20 gift card for use in Stagecoach State Park’s gift shop,

The photo will be featured on the contest webpage for the following season,

The photo will be automatically entered into the annual grand prize drawing.

Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Copyright and Usage Rights

Participants retain full copyright of their submitted images.

By entering, participants grant Friends of Stagecoach State Park the right to use submitted photos for promotional, marketing, and social media purposes with credit to the photographer.

Deadlines

All entries must be submitted by midnight on the final day of the season as specified in the seasonal theme announcement. Late submissions will not be accepted.

General Terms

By participating, entrants agree to abide by all contest rules. Entry of your photograph grants Friends of Stagecoach State Park the right to use your photograph on our website and other literature. You will be given attribution. Participants will retain the ownership of their photograph and the right to use them.

Any submission found to be in violation of these rules may be disqualified.

Organizers reserve the right to modify or cancel the contest if necessary.

Eligibility

The contest is open to photographers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and subjects. There are no age or residency restrictions. We may contact a parent or guardian of entrants under the age of 18.

Information collected as part of the contest entry will not be sold or provided to any third party. Friends of Stagecoach State Park will only use provided contact information to contact participants of winning or if there are questions related to a submission. All information will be deleted after the entry is no longer eligible for further contest consideration. Contact information for winning photos may be retained for up to one year for consideration for the annual grand prize. We ask that no personally identifiable people be within the submitted photographs to preserve people’s privacy.