• 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form

    We’re excited to announce the return of our Summer Photo Contest—an annual invitation to capture the people, places, and traditions that connect generations across the South Sound.

  • Here for Generations

    As communities across the country commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this July, we’re reflecting on the stories, experiences, and connections that continue to shape our local communities.

    This year’s theme, Here for Generations, celebrates the moments that bring people together and the places that help define what it means to call this region home. From longtime community traditions and local celebrations to family farms, historic landmarks, natural landscapes, and everyday moments of connection, we want to see the stories that continue to shape Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties.

    Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to submit images that reflect the history, character, and future of our communities. Selected photos may be featured in Community Foundation publications, social media platforms, and future storytelling efforts.

    Contest End Date: August 10 at midnight PDT

    General Categories:

    1. Community Celebrations & People: What traditions, gatherings, and shared experiences bring your community together? Share photos that capture the people and moments that create connection across generations.

    2. Landscape & Wildlife: What places help define our region? Share images of waterways, forests, farmland, wildlife, parks, or cityscapes that reflect the beauty and identity of the South Sound.

    3. Nonprofit Mission in Action: How do people care for one another in your community? Capture nonprofits and community organizations making a difference through service, support, and action.

    4. Youth Category (Ages 0-17): What makes your community special to you? Youth photographers are invited to share their perspective. A Parental or Guardian Permission Consent Form is required.

    Prizes: 

    The first-place winner in each category will receive a $250 cash prize and a canvas of their winning photo. Second-place winners will receive $100, and third-place winners will receive $50. All winners may choose to receive their prize as cash or direct their award as a grant to a nonprofit they care about.

    Submission Guidelines: 

    • The photo contest is open to residents of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties, as well as photographers from outside these areas whose photos were taken here. There is no fee to enter.

    • There is a limit of five photographs per entrant. 

    • Entrants to the Youth Category (Ages 0-17) must provide permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate as part of their submission. 

    • Print entries are not accepted. Only electronic files submitted via our photo contest entry form will be entered into the contest. 

    • Standard processing of the original file is acceptable. See below for more details.  

    • The electronic file name must include the entrant’s first initial and last name, i.e., JSmith.jpeg (include a number if submitting more than one—JSmith1.jpeg)  

    • The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound reserves the right to disqualify any entry deemed unsuitable for consideration due to objectionable content, such as profanity, nudity, drug, alcohol or tobacco use, or cruelty to persons or animals. 

    Image quality: Minimum 3600 x 4800 pixels  

    Format: .jpeg or .png accepted

    Image Editing Restrictions

    • Acceptable image editing of the original file examples include:
      • 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.Examples include:  
      • 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  

    Special Note: Your photo submission authorizes the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound to use your image in marketing materials. You are responsible for obtaining permission to photograph subjects featured in your submission. All photos must be original work taken by the entrants. No third party may own or control any materials the photo contains, and the photo 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 submitted photos other than the prize awards outlined in the contest rules. Photo credit opportunities may or may not apply and are at the discretion of the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound and its media partners. 

    Click here to access a PDF of the 2026 Photo Contest Guidelines.

  • Entrant Information

    Please fill in all required fields below to enter the Photo Contest
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Please Select Your Primary County of Residence:*
  • Are you entering the Youth Category (Ages 0-17)*
    • Photo Contest Consent Form for Youth Category 

    • Photo Contest Consent Form

      Must be completed by youth's legal parent or guardian in order to be considered for the Youth Category. If one is not completed, your submission will be disqualified.

    • I am the parent or legal guardian of the minor child whose signature appears below. I hereby give my consent to the minor entering the Community Foundation of South Puget Sounds' 2024 photo contest. I have read and accepted the Community Foundation's rules on my and my child's behalf.

      For questions about the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound's Photo Contest or the Consent Form, we invite you to reach out to the Foundation's Philanthropy & Communications Officer Mary Lam-Witcher (she/her) by email at mary@thecommunityfoundation.com. 

    • Youth Date of Birth*
       - -
    • Format: (000) 000-0000.

    • Thank you for completing the Consent Form! You may now continue with your photo submission(s) for the photo contest by selecting the "Next" button below. Please note that this button will only populate once all of the required fields above are completed.

    • Photo Contest Photo Submission 

  • Submit Your Photo

    Max of 5 photos per entrant is allowable
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