Contest Rules, Guidelines & FAQ
The City of Manassas wants to know, “What do you love about Manassas?” Show us and you will be entered into a chance to win a $250 grand prize. See below for rules, guidelines and frequently asked questions.
“What Do You Love About Manassas”
PHOTO CONTEST RULES & GUIDELINES
Eligibility
- Contest is free to enter.
- Entrant must be at least 12 years of age and a U.S. resident.
- City of Manassas employees and contest judges are eligible to enter but are not eligible to win prizes.
Format and Submission
- Photographs must have been taken in Manassas, Virginia.
- Contest runs from June 27, 2022, through September 30, 2022. The theme of the contest is “What Do You Love About Manassas”
- Participants may submit up to five (5) photographs. An entry form is required for each photograph.
- Photographs must be submitted as a digital image. Entries can be uploaded via the Photo Contest Entry Form.
- All photographs must be a minimum of 300DPI or the highest resolution available on your smart phone. Please submit files in TIFF, JPEG, or PNG format. Minor digital enhancement is acceptable. Borders, frames, special filters, text and signatures are not allowed.
- All photographs must be accompanied by a completed entry form, either electronic or paper. If the photograph includes a recognizable person or persons in a non-public location, the model release section of the entry form must also be completed. Photographs cannot be returned.
- The City of Manassas reserves the right to remove any pictures from the contest that are deemed unsuitable.
Copyright and Usage
- By signing the official entry form and/or submitting an image electronically, you are stating that you are the owner and copyright holder of the photograph submitted. You also represent and warrant that the photograph is your original work. If your photograph contains identifiable people in a non-public location, you are stating that you have permission from all of the models and have a completed the model release form section of the entry form.
- By completing this form, you hereby grant the City of Manassas, contest sponsors, contest promoter and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries the right to use this photo entry for publishing, illustration, advertising, trade and promotion, or any other use in any medium for any purpose of the City of Manassas. You hold the City of Manassas harmless from any and all liability that might arise out of or result from the foregoing use. Your entry signifies that you will abide by all rules set forth for this contest.
Photo Restrictions/Model Contact Information
- When shooting photographs for the contest, please check with the location to see if they allow indoor photography.
- All photographs must be accompanied by a completed entry form, available here. If the photograph includes a recognizable person or persons in a non-public setting, the model release section of the entry form must also be completed. DOWNLOAD MODEL RELEASE FORM
Judging/Prizes
- Only entries which have met the Format and Submission criteria outlined above will be eligible for judging.
- A panel of judges will select the winners. Winning photographs will be based on overall composition and technical skill.
- A $250 grand prize will be awarded to the grand prize winner. A $150 second place prize will also be awarded. Honorable mention prizes may also be awarded. Entrants may only win one prize. The City of Manassas reserves the right to not award any prize.
- Winners’ names may appear on the City of Manassas website.
Other
- By signing the entry form and/or submitting a photograph electronically, participants accept and agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of contest judges, whose decisions are final. By submitting a photograph, participants agree to release the City of Manassas, contest sponsors, contest promoter and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries from liability of any kind or nature for any loss, claims, damages, or injuries of any kind associated with acceptance, possession, participation in, or use of any prizes.
- Because of the number of anticipated entries, we are unable to respond to questions concerning receipt of an entry.
PHOTO CONTEST FAQ
- Is there an entry fee to submit photographs?
No. Entry is free.
- Do I have to live in Manassas to enter?
No, the contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 12 years and older. Contest judges and employees of the City of Manassas are welcome to submit photos but will not be eligible for prizes.
- Can I submit photographs from neighboring cities?
No. All photographs must have been taken in Manassas, Virginia.
- What are the contest dates?
The contest begins June 27, 2022, and ends September 30, 2022.
- How can photographs be submitted?
Photographs can be uploaded to our website using the Photo Contest Entry Form
- Are there size or format requirements?
All photographs must be a minimum of 300DPI or the highest resolution available on your smart phone. Please submit files in TIFF, JPEG, or PNG format. Minor digital enhancement is acceptable. Borders, frames, special filters, text and signatures are not allowed.
- How many photographs can I enter?
You may submit up to five (5) photographs. An electronic or paper entry form is required for each photograph.
- Can I use photo-editing tools to enhance my photographs?
Minor enhancements are acceptable. Borders, frames, special filters, text and signatures are not allowed.
- Who will own the copyright of photographs submitted and how will they be used?
Photographers will retain the copyright to their photographs, but by entering them in this contest hereby grant the City of Manassas, contest sponsors, contest promoter and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries the right to use this photo entry for publishing, illustration, advertising, trade and promotion, or any other use in any medium for any purpose of the City of Manassas. Photographers hold the City of Manassas harmless from any and all liability that might arise out of or result from the foregoing use.
- Can I submit photographs that contain my family and friends?
Yes! If your photograph contains identifiable people, you must fill out the model release form section of the contest entry form. Download Model Release Form Here.
- Will my photographs be returned to me?
No, unfortunately we cannot return photographs.
- How will the winners be decided?
A panel of judges will select winners based on overall composition and technical skill.
- What can I win?
A $250 grand prize will be awarded to the grand prize winner. A $150 second place prize will also be awarded. Honorable mention prizes may also be awarded. Entrants may only win one prize. The City of Manassas reserves the right to not award any prize.
- When will the winners be announced?
The winners will be contacted individually in October 2022, and their winning photographs will be displayed on the City of Manassas website at choosemanassas.org.
- I want to enter, but I am unsure of what kinds of pictures to take.
No problem! Click here for our suggestions page, filled with ideas that will help you to get started.