Newport News "Zoom In" Photo Contest
The Newport News Photo Contest is back for 2025! Enter your photo for a chance to win a $500 cash prize, be featured on our website, and attend our National Travel and Tourism Week Luncheon on May 6th, 2025. The contest is open now through April 30th, 2025 and the winner will be announced May 1st, 2025 by a panel of judges. This year's theme is Community Spirit and should tie in with a webpage on the Visit Newport News website. Whether it's a shot of a family enjoying a concert at the Port Warwick Summer Concert Series for the Events & Festivals page, a group of friends enjoying a pizza at Bird Girl Bottle Shop for the Food & Drinks page, or a candid of a couple enjoying a sunset at Newport News Park for the Parks & Nature page, a photo that highlights the best of the Newport News during the year of our All-America City win will be considered entry-worthy!
Photo Contest Entry Form
Photo Contest Rules & Guidelines
Eligibility
- Contest is free to enter.
- Entrant must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. resident.
- Newport News Department of Communications employees, Newport News Tourism employees, and contest judges are not eligible to enter.
- Photos previously submitted to any prior Zoom In on Newport News Photo Contests are not eligible for this year's contest.
Copyright
- 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, you are stating that you have permission from all of the models and have a completed model release form in your possession.
- Although photographers retain the copyright to their photographs, by entering them into this contest, they permit unrestricted usage by the City of Newport News and the Newport News Tourism Office exclusively to promote the city, without receiving any fee or compensation. This applies to winning and non-winning entries. All entries, once uploaded electronically, become the property of the Newport News Tourism Office.
Photo Restrictions/Model Contact Information
- When shooting photographs for the contest, please check with your location to see if they allow indoor photography.
- All photographs must be accompanied by a completed electronic entry form. If the photograph includes a recognizable person or persons, the model release section of the entry form must also be completed.
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 $500 cash grand prize will be awarded to the grand prize winner along with an invitation to the National Travel & Tourism Week Luncheon on May 6th, 2025. Entrants may only win one prize. The Newport News Tourism Office reserves the right to not award any prize.
- Winners' names may appear in news articles and on the Newport News Tourism Office 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 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.
For questions, call 757.886.7777 or 888.493.7386.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee to submit photographs?
Do I have to live in Newport News to enter?
No, the contest is open to all U.S. residents ages 12 years and older. Contest judges and employees of Newport News Department of Communication Employees are not eligible to enter.
Can I submit photographs from neighboring cities?
No. All photographs must have been taken in Newport News, Virginia.
What are the contest dates?
The contest begins February 14, 2025, and ends April 30, 2025.
How many photographs can I enter?
You may submit up to five (5) photographs. An electronic form is required for each photograph. Photos previously submitted to the Newport News Photo Contest are not eligible for this year's competition.
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, they permit unrestricted usage by the City of Newport News and Visit Newport News exclusively to promote the city, without receiving any fee or compensation. This applies to winning and non-winning entries.
Can I submit photographs that contain my family and friends?
Yes! If your photograph contains identifiable people, you must fill out the model contact information on the entry form.
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 $500 cash grand prize will be awarded to the grand prize winner along with an invitation to the National Travel & Tourism Week Luncheon. All entries will be considered for a feature on the Visit Newport News website.
