Photo Contest Frequently Asked Questions

Are you attending a National Public Lands Day event?  Grab your camera and take pictures of people participating in NPLD.  Your photos could win you cool REI prizes! Submit your photo entries to the NPLD 2012 Volunteers in Action Photo Contest.  To learn more about the contest, read the FAQs below.

General Information --- Submitting an Entry --- Don't Forget --- Contact NPLD --- Complete Rules

General Information

Cool, I love taking photos. How do I know if an event qualifies as a National Public Lands Day project?

• All official National Public Lands Day (NPLD) 2012 sites are posted on our website at, www.publiclandsday.org. If you do not see your event, or one you are attending, please contact us at npld@neefusa.org  or (202) 261-6479.

How do I know if I am eligible?

• The NPLD 2012 Volunteers in Action Photo Contest (the “Contest”) is open to all legal United States residents ages 14 years and up. Check the official rules for more details.

I am participating in a registered NPLD 2012 event. What should my photograph(s) show?

• We are looking for photos of Volunteers in Action. Photos should reflect, in a visually interesting and creative way, people participating in a volunteer project, recreational activity or educational activity at the project site. Photos must include people!

What prizes are available for winners?

• There will be three (3) prize packages awarded, one each for first, second and third place. Prize packages include camping gear from the contest sponsor, REI. Prize details are as follows:

First Place: Outdoor camping package with an approximate retail value of $625, including a backpack, sleeping bag and tent with footprint.

Second Place: Outdoor camping package with an approximate retail value of $200, including a backpack and tent with footprint.

Third Place: Outdoor day-hike package with an approximate retail value of $95, including a backpack, lunch container and water bottle.

• Prizes are generously being donated by REI.

• Finalist’s photos may also be used on the NPLD 2013 promotional materials. Check out the 2012 winners on this year’s NPLD promotional materials.

• For additional prize details, please view the contest rules.

Do I need the individual(s) permission to be in the photo?

• A very important question! All identifiable individuals in the photo must complete a media release form. For example, if the image shows five (5) different people, then the photo would have five release forms. Entries that do not have a media release for each subject will automatically be disqualified.

• Download the media release form online. To submit the media release form, scan and email the completed from to contests@neefusa.org or mail releases to:

• All media release forms are due by the submission deadline of 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Are there any restrictions on who may enter the contest?

• The contest is open to amateur photographers only.
• The photo contest is open to all volunteers except for the employees Employees of NEEF, Lutzker & Lutzker, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., Northrop Grumman and Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), and each of their respective affiliated companies or agents and the immediate family members of, and any person domiciled with such employees.

When does the 2021 NPLD Volunteers in Action photo contest end?

• All entries are due, or must be postmarked if mailed, by the submission deadline of 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

Submitting an entry

How do I enter the 2012 NPLD Volunteers in Action Photo Contest?

• Follow the steps to submit your photo(s).
• You may also submit photographs by mail to the address below:

• If you submit photographs by mail, enclose a 3 by 5 inch card containing the following information for each submission: photographer's name, address, phone number, email and name and location of the NPLD site, along with short description (100 words or less) of the work being performed.
• All digital photographs must be at least 300 dpi and 4 inches by 6 inches. Printed photographs for submission must be 4 inches by 6 inches and may be either color or black and white. 
• Images may not be composites, multiple exposures or digitally manipulated beyond the reality that existed when the image was made, except for reasonable dodging and burning.
• Submitted photos will not be returned. 

I can’t decide which photo to submit, can I send more than one entry?

• Each participant may enter up to three submissions, though only one can be chosen as a winner.

My event does not occur on the official NPLD date of September 29, 2012. Can I still submit entries to this contest?

• Several NPLD events occur on a date other than September 29, 2012. You may submit photos from events on other dates. Just make sure your event is registered as an NPLD event.

Don’t forget!

All digital entries must be submitted by 11:59pm EST on Thursday, November 6, 2012 and all mailed entries must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, November 6, 2012.  All mailed entries should be sent to:

How to contact NPLD

Who can I contact with additional questions?

• For questions contact us at: (202) 261-6479 or contests@neefusa.org.

Rules

No purchase necessary. All contest participants must be residents of the U.S. and meet all eligibility requirements. Void where prohibited.

Complete rules are available here.