Photo Credit: 2025 CHAMPION Sunrise Old Barn on Oak Grove Lane by Loretta Robinson

Calling all photographers! Show us your best shots featuring Albany and Linn County. We’ll award a Champion and Reserve Champion for the overall contest, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for each of our six categories. We will award one prize in the Student category for the best photo. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by public vote via a survey. 

We’re seeking fresh, original images that capture the heart of Albany and Linn County. Whether it’s lively community events, local flavors, or hidden treasures, your photos help highlight what makes our region truly special. Selected images may be featured in our marketing materials, including websites, social media, visitor guides, and promotional content, inspiring travelers to discover and experience all Linn County has to offer.

Who can enter?

The contest is open to all ages, all levels, whether you're an amateur, a professional, or a hobbyist. Photos can be taken either with a professional-grade digital camera or a smartphone.

• Downtown
  Highlight Albany’s charming downtown district with shots of our local businesses, restaurants, and buildings. Take candid photos of friends and family exploring downtown. 
• Restaurants
  Visit a local restaurant or a unique foodie or drink venue and let people know what delicious rewards await them. Attend the Albany Farmers’ Market and capture the bounty. Please refrain from submitting photos of home cooking or backyard potlucks. 
• Events
  Linn County is full of fun events all year long! Capture moments from local happenings like the Albany Mushroom Festival, “Stand By Me” Day in Brownsville, or the Annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival.
• History
  With four nationally recognized historic districts and architectural styles from the mid- 1800s to the 1950s, Albany has a plethora of historic buildings! 
• Locations
  Feature Albany's iconic parks, trails, small businesses, and other outdoor or urban haunts. Consider the Historic Carousel & Museum, one of Linn County’s eight covered bridges, or the Monteith Riverpark.
• People 
  Visitors love to see people enjoying themselves, but we know it can be hard to get the shot right and get strangers to sign release forms. Consider enlisting your family and friends! Please remember that all photos featuring people require a signed Model Release Form by the model or their Parent/Guardian. Do not submit photos of strangers for whom you cannot receive a signature.
• Youth
  This category is for participants 17 and under. Youth are free to enter and can submit photos based on any of the other six categories. We limit youth entries to 10 photos maximum per participant. Parental consent is required and can be provided in the 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form.

• Original Work: We ask that your work be original, not previously submitted to this or any other contest, and be taken in 2024, 2025, or 2026, and specifically feature Albany and Linn County.
• Formats: JPEG, PNG, minimum 300 dpi, and at least 1MB in size.
• Composition: Standard rectangular portrait or landscape images are preferred (square or panoramic images are more challenging to use in ads).
• Editing: Basic adjustments (contrast, color, cropping) are permitted, but no digitally added effects, such as montages or double exposures.
• AI: Submissions generated or enhanced using AI are not considered valid entries and will be DISQUALIFIED.
• Water Recreation: All photos depicting water recreation must be compliant with Oregon regulations regarding life jackets.
• People: Any photo featuring a recognizable individual or group requires a signed Model Release Form for contest eligibility. The Model Release Form is included in the 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form. PDF files are available to print. Hard copies are also available at the AVA office.
• Drone Photos: We love your drone photos; however, due to changes in FAA regulations, we are unable to accept any photos taken with a drone without a copy of a valid and current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Please refer to the Drone Photography Release Form for additional details. This form will be included in the 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form for those submitting drone footage to sign and upload a copy of their license. 

  
  

Enter the contest by filling out the 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form. Each photographer may submit up to 15 photos, except for the Youth category, which is limited to 10 photos. Awards include a Champion and Reserve Champion for the overall contest, as well as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. The People’s Choice Award will be decided by public vote through a survey.

Please prepare your photos by naming the files in the following format (avoid using all caps or punctuation):

Title (no duplicates) at Location (if not in the title) by Your Name Category

Examples: Sybaris Bistro in Albany by Lonna Capaci, Restaurants or Albany Civic Theater by Alicen Arsenault, Locations

Entry Fees:

• $2 per photo
• One-time $3 service fee for online payments
• Up to 15 photos may be submitted per entrant
• The $3 service fee applies once per online payment transaction. If additional photos are submitted later and paid for online, the $3 service fee will apply again. Payments made by cash or check do not incur the service fee and must be mailed or dropped off at the Albany Visitors Association. Please enter the final number of photos you plan to submit before completing your online payment.

Payment Methods:

• Submit your payment online
• Mail or drop off cash or check payments to the AVA Office
  • 122 Ferry St. SW, Albany, OR 97321

Youth Entries

Youth (17 and under) may enter up to 10 photos at no cost. No payment is required for youth submissions.

Why is there a fee?

As a nonprofit, the Albany Visitors Association invests staff time and care each year to ensure the contest runs smoothly and remains accessible. The $2 per photo fee helps support the program while encouraging participation and shared investment. This rate has remained unchanged for nearly twenty years. The $3 service fee helps offset the cost of digital payment processing, which was added in response to participant requests

Additional Notes

Fees may be waived upon request if they present a barrier to participation

All entries, fees, and signed releases must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.

• Phone: 541-928-0911
• Email: Info@AlbanyVisitors.com
• Address: 122 Ferry St SW, Albany, OR 97321

We look forward to seeing your photos—and good luck!