| Copyright | By entering the Contest, all entrants grant a royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive license to Authorized Parties, to reproduce, distribute, display and create derivative works of the entries in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to children aged 6-14 who are U.S. and Canadian residents only. See a list of other participating country editions. |
| Finish | 1 November 2010 |
| Entry fee | Free |
Finished
Categories:
- humor
- animals
- scenery
- people
Prizes:
- The Grand Prize winner in this contest will be selected from the First Place winners in each category and win a trip to Toronto, Canada.
- Then the four First Place Winners will go on to compete against other First Place Winners from National Geographic International Photography Contests for Kids being held worldwide. The best photo worldwide will win the Grand Prize in the worldwide contest, a trip to Washington, D.C. for the winner and his or her parent or legal guardian for five days and four nights, Approximate Retail Value of Grand Prize is $3,700.
Judging Criteria: Creativity 50%, Photographic quality 50%
Digital entries must be 5 megabytes or smaller, must be in JPEG or JPG format, and must be at least 1,600 pixels wide (if a horizontal image) or 1,600 pixels tall (if a vertical image). Digital entries need not be taken with a digital camera; scans of negatives, transparencies, or photographic prints are acceptable.
Photographs taken with digital camera or conventional films are eligible.
Minor burning, dodging and/or color correction is acceptable. Cropping is acceptable, as are fish-eye lenses. Any changes to the original photograph not itemized here are unacceptable and will render the Photograph ineligible for a prize.
This contest is also available in the following countries:
- NG KIDS BULGARIA: www.kids.nationalgeographic.bg
- NG YOUTH EGYPT: email [email protected]
- NG KIDS GREECE: email [email protected]
- NG KIDS HUNGARY: www.ngkids.hu
- NG KIDS INDONESIA: email [email protected]
- NG JUNIOR NETHERLANDS: www.natgeojunior.nl/photocontest.aspx
- NG YOUNG ADVENTURER RUSSIA: www.egmont.ru
- NG JUNIOR SLOVENIA: www.junior.si
- NG KIDS SOUTH AFRICA: www.ngkids.co.za
- NG KIDS SPAIN: www.panini.es
- NG KIDS TURKEY: www.nationalgeographic.com.tr/ngkids
- NG KIDS UNITED KINGDOM: www.ngkids.co.uk
- NG KIDS UNITED STATES & CANADA: kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/contests/photo-contest-rules
Official website: kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/activities/contests/kids-photo-contest/
Frequently asked questions — Free photography contests
Who can enter free photography contests?
Most free contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of experience level or equipment. Many explicitly encourage students, hobbyists, and emerging creators—always verify age requirements or thematic restrictions on the official contest page.
Are free photography contests really free?
Yes—entry is $0 across the board. Some contests offer optional paid perks like expedited feedback or printed certificates, but submission, judging, and basic participation remain completely free. Fee status is confirmed in the Quick Facts section on each PhotoCompete listing.
What prizes do free photography contests offer?
Prizes vary widely: cash awards range $100–$5,000, while non-monetary rewards include online features, publication credits, mentorship sessions, exhibition inclusion, or gear donations. Even without cash, free contests offer valuable exposure and portfolio-building opportunities.
How do I choose which free contest to enter?
Prioritize contests whose theme or mission aligns with your work. Review past winners to gauge style preferences, confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), and read rights clauses carefully—even free contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.