2025 Contest Rules
Cost:
REGISTRATION FEES
$69 - Contestant - ASMP, NANPA and OPPA Members
$99 - Contestant - Non-Members
$29 - Contestant - Students
$10 - Judging Event (non-contestant)
Contestant fee includes:
Entrance in the contest.
Discounted gear rental from Pro Photo Supply. Available on a first come, first served basis.
Free coffee, drinks, and snacks!
Instant feedback on your images from POD Leaders and Judges.
Prizes for each category winners, honorable mentions, plus the craft awards.
How to Enter:
To enter, submit up to five original images created between 3pm April 25th and 4pm April 26th, 2025 within the designated area of Portland Squared, in the form of a jpg digital file. Contestants are allowed to enter a maximum of FIVE entries total. All files submitted must follow the naming convention and size specification guidelines provided. All entries must be received by April 26th, 2025 at 4pm.
All submitted images must be the original creations of the entrants; the sole work of the entrants and all persons, places and/or objects appearing within all submitted Images must be fully and properly released. By entering, all entrants agree to grant ASMP Oregon, Pro Photo Supply and Portland Squared the right to use their images in any publicity or promotions (including, but not limited to, a PDXSQ book, website(s) and gallery show). All entrants waive any claims against ASMP Oregon, Pro Photo Supply and Portland Squared affiliates concerning their respective rights in the images submitted in this Contest. Incomplete entries or entries not satisfying these Official Rules will be automatically disqualified.
AI:
All images must be originally created in camera. Retouching is allowed (except for the Documentary category) however, no use of 2nd party AI images or regenerative fill.
Eligibility:
The contest is open to Students, Emerging and Professional photographers registered prior to the event. All Portland Squared 2025 POD Leaders, committee members, and volunteers have the option to compete in the volunteer category. Judges and moderators are prohibited from competing.
Judging Criteria:
All entries will be judged. A 3-member independent panel will judge all eligible entries. In the event that a judge cannot fulfill the contest duties, they will be replaced at the sole discretion of the ASMP Oregon Board. All judging will be conducted “blind” (no names will be displayed on the photographs while they are being judged). Judges have the right to re-categorize images if they see fit. Live judging of the entries will begin April 26th, 2025 at 6pm, with final decisions to be announced that day. The decisions of the judges are final and binding in all respects. By participating, all entrants agree to be bound by the Official Rules. Eligible entries will be judged on the basic elements of merit, including - impact, creativity, composition & design, color balance, center of interest, lighting, subject matter, and story-telling.
Major Categories include:
• Editorial Portrait (Found or brought subjects allowed)
• Creative Storytelling (This is for Produced images with models, lighting, props…that sort of thing)
• Documentary (true stories/non-fiction; no compositing; NPPA rules)
• Urban Landscape (the built environment; predominate elements are man-made)
• Natural World (the natural environment; predominate elements are naturally occurring
• Portlandia: Keep Portland Weird
CRAFT Categories - excellence in craft and technique and are flagged during the category judging.
• Best use of Light
• Best use of In-Camera Time & Motion (Blur or Stop Action)
• Best use of Composition
• Best use of Black & White
• Best Volunteer Photograph
The judges will choose Craft awards from all entries combined. A single image can only win one major category but is eligible to win Craft awards. ASMP Oregon reserves the right to refuse any entries that it deems, in its sole discretion, to be inappropriate for any reason. Entries in the Documentary Category may not be altered beyond journalistic standards.
Prizes:
One prize bundle, provided by our sponsors, will be awarded in each major category along with one prize awarded for one or more honorable mentions in each major category.
No cash redemptions. Prizes are non-transferable and no substitutions will be allowed. ASMP Oregon and Portland Squared reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value if prize is unavailable. Winners will be notified at event reception on April 26th, 2025. The winners must claim prizes within 60 days of notification. All prizes not claimed within the 60 days will revert back to the ASMP Oregon board for redistribution.
Winners List: A list of winners will be posted at www.PDXSquared.com
General:
Entrants shall be responsible for all entry-related costs. By accepting the prize, winners agree to the use of their respective name, likeness, biographical information, Image and/or Final Print, in whole or part, in combination with any other materials, in any media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, for purposes of advertising, trade, or promotion of Portland Squared, Pro Photo Supply, ASMP, ASMP OR, or future ASMP OR photo competitions without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. By entering and/or accepting a prize, all entrants agree to release and indemnify Portland Squared, Pro Photo Supply, American Society of Media Photographers, Inc., ASMP OR, and their respective Board members, directors, employees, volunteers, representatives and assigns, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, agencies, divisions, and affiliates (the “Released Parties”) from and for any and all liability, for loss, harm, damage, injury, cost or expense whatsoever including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death which may occur in connection with, preparation for, travel to, or participation in Contest, or possession, acceptance and/or use or misuse of prize or participation in any Contest-related activity and claims based on publicity rights, copyright/trademark infringement, moral right, defamation or invasion of privacy (including but not limited to any claims from any persons depicted within any submitted Images or any claims from representatives of any places or objects depicted within the submitted Images) and merchandise return or delivery. By entering, all entrants waive any claims against the Released Parties concerning entrants’ rights in their submitted Images and/or Final Prints. The Released Parties shall not be responsible for any damages, taxes, or expenses that winners might incur as a result of this Contest or receipt of prize. All taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winners. The Released Parties shall not be responsible for any loss or damage to any submitted Image or Final Print.
Personal Release:
By registering, all participants grant ASMP, Pro Photo Supply, and Portland Squared, and his/her legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish photographs, still or moving, for editorial, trade, advertising, and any other purpose and in any manner and medium; and to alter and composite the same without restriction and without inspection or approval. Participants hereby release ASMP, Pro Photo Supply, and Portland Squared and his/her legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability relating to said media.