My AZA Visitor Photo Contest

Calling all visitors to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums! AZA's Visitor Photo Contest opens on July 22, 2022. We invite you to submit the best photo (one) from your visit (please, no human faces - animals and habitats only). The top winner will be featured as AZA's social media cover images on Facebook and Twitter. Other winners will be highlighted in social media posts and in AZA's digital Connect.

The photo should be taken in the last two years by visitors of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility. AZA staff will review the photos and the public will vote via social media to choose the winner out of the top ten (10). The winner will be featured for 30 days on AZA's social media cover image. Other exceptional photos will be highlighted on AZA's social media. The photos may also appear on AZA's website and/or other promotional materials.

Official Rules

The AZA Public Photo Contest is open only to individuals who are legal residents and physically located in the fifty (50) states in the United States or the District of Columbia and who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or staff and volunteers of AZA-accredited, certified related facilities or commercial members are not eligible to enter the Contest or win a prize. (Staff and volunteers may enter the Connect Photo Contest).

The Contest begins on or about 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, July 22, 2022, and all entries must be received on or before 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 8, 2022. Photos cannot include human faces.

Review the Official Rules here.

Format for Submission

Use the online form below to submit your entry. Submissions should include the name of the photographer, the AZA-accredited facility where the photo was taken, and the date the photo was taken in the file name. If possible, please include the species in the file name. Only one photo entry will be accepted per visitor, so send in your best image. If you submit more than one image, your first image submitted will be considered your entry. Pictures can include animals and zoo or aquarium scenes — please do not submit a photos including human faces.

Deadline

The deadline for entries is August 8.

Winners will be announced on August 22 on AZA's social media.

How To Submit

Format

TIFF, JPG or EPS; Maximum file size is 1 MB. Submit ONE image ONLY.
Include the name of the photographer, the AZA facility where the photo was taken, and the date the photo was taken in the file name.

License

By entering the contest, you grant to AZA, and its successors and assigns, the non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual right and license to use, display, reproduce, publish, transmit, and distribute your photograph on AZA's website, in our magazine, and/or in any other promotional materials. Your grant and license shall also apply to any reprints, revised editions, or derivative works in any media or format, whether now or hereafter known, including without limitation other kinds of print media and electronic media.

By entering the contest you also represent, acknowledge and warrant that (i) the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by you, and you are the sole owner of all right, title, and interest in and to your photograph, including the copyright; (ii) AZA's publication of your photograph as authorized herein will not violate or infringe any right, title, or interest of any person or entity; (iii) AZA's publication of your photograph will not violate any right of privacy or publicity nor create any other liability in tort and that you have obtained a valid model release from any identifiable, individual person who is the subject of the photograph; (iv) you are not a party to and your photograph is not subject to any contract or arrangement that would conflict with your permission herein; and (v) you agree to indemnify and hold harmless AZA against any damages, losses, or expenses occurring as a result of any claimed breach of warranty.

2022 My AZA Visitor Photo Contest Winner

Anwar Abdul-Qawi, wattle crane at the Philadelphia Zoo

Wattled crane

Download Wallpapers for Desktop, Mobile and Tablet

You can now download the 2022 Connect Photo Contest Winner and Honorable Mentions as backgrounds for your computer, phone, or tablet devices.

Do you have images to submit to the Connect Photo Contest? Staff and volunteers at AZA-accredited facilities are eligible to enter. Bookmark our contest page for next year's announcement and deadline.