2026 Amateur Photography Entry Form

Submission Guidelines

Each photographer may submit up to three photos, either all in one category or spread across multiple categories.

Entry Fees:

• 1st photo: Free
• 2nd & 3rd photos: $10 each (additional photo fee)
• Maximum fee per entrant: $20 (for 3 photos)

File Naming Format

Each photo filename must follow this structure (use dashes, not spaces, underscores, or dots except before the file extension):

Example: Kids-with-green-eggs-and-ham-by-Dr-Seuss-2026-04-01.jpg

Photo Metadata

All photos must include metadata listing the artist and copyright. Entrants can watch a video or read a guide from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources on how to edit photo metadata before submitting.

Only photos meeting these criteria, submitted with a completed entry form, will be eligible.

Official Rules

Deadline for Entry

Photo submissions and completed entry/release forms must be submitted by Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

CCE Niagara will not accept late, incomplete, or non-compliant entries. CCE Niagara reserves the right to adjust deadlines due to circumstances beyond its control and will make reasonable efforts to notify entrants of any changes.

Content Standards

• Submissions must not contain inappropriate, indecent, obscene, or unlawful content (CCE Niagara has sole discretion on this).
• Photos must be original, previously unpublished, and created solely by the entrant no copyright or third-party IP violations.
• Photos previously entered in other contests or published elsewhere are ineligible.
• Photos must accurately reflect the subject/scene. Standard optimization (dust removal, cropping, exposure/color/contrast adjustments) is allowed; excessive digital alteration will result in disqualification.
• AI-generated photographs are not accepted.
• Photos may not include names, signatures, logos, or other identifying marks.

Categories

1. Agriculture & Rural Life
2. People & Portraits
3. County Fair Fun
4. Creative & Artistic Photography
5. Youth Perspective (under 18)

Eligibility

• Open to photographers of all ages/skill levels who are legal U.S. residents at time of entry.
• CCE Niagara employees and their children may enter but are not eligible to win prizes.
• Winners cannot win the same category again for three years.
• If entry fees aren't paid by the deadline, all photos after the first (free) entry will be disqualified.

Judging & Selection

• Judged by a panel of five, including at least one photographer, one farmer, and one educator.
• One winner selected per category (5 total).
• Judging criteria:
  • Visual effectiveness — 40%
  • Originality/creativity — 25%
  • Universal appeal — 25%
  • Message/theme — 10%
• CCE Niagara has sole discretion over winner selection; entrants waive rights to dispute results.

Prizes

• $25 cash prize per category winner.
• Winners notified by phone/email by September 8.
• Winners announced publicly via email, news release, and social media on/around September 8.