Photo above: Tiny Adventurer by Crystal Rodli, 1st Place Winner for People 2024,

The Photo Contest is now closed. Come back here to see the winners, which will be announced in mid-April. Thank you to everyone who participated! We go so many great photos. It will be some difficult decisions for the judges.

A panel of judges will review entries anonymously and look at criteria like category fit, originality, and composition. They’ll also select:

• Champion
• Reserve Champion
• People’s Choice (chosen by public vote through a Survey Monkey poll)

• Champion: $300
• Reserve Champion: $150
• People’s Choice: $75

All first, second, and third-place winners in each category will receive a certificate and a Pix Theatre gift card. All participants will receive a certificate. 

Winning photographs will be:

• Shown in a professional video at the Pix Theatre (before feature films)
• Featured on the AVA website and YouTube channel
• Displayed at the Albany Amtrak Station

Winners will be announced in April 2025.

We’re seeking fresh, original images that capture the heart of Albany, Linn County, and the Willamette Valley. Whether it’s breathtaking landscapes, 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 our area has to offer.

• Downtown
  Showcase your favorite downtown sights. 

• Food
  Capture tempting treats—whether it’s a restaurant meal, local foodie event, or the bounty of the Albany Farmers’ Market.

• Events
  Think Antiques in the Streets, Twice Around Christmas Parade, Veterans Parade, Christmas Storybook Land, Historic Home Tours and more.

• Historic Albany
  Albany boasts four nationally recognized historic districts and several architectural styles spanning the mid-1800s to the 1950s; the photo opportunities are endless!

• Landmarks
  These can include places like the Linn County Veteran’s Memorial, one of the 8 covered bridges in our county or one of Albany’s beautiful parks. These all hold cultural, historical or natural importance to the community

• People 
  Show folks enjoying Albany. Tip: Because you need signed model releases for recognizable faces, it may be easier (and more fun) to use friends and family. 

• Scenic
  Capture the beauty of our area in any season—rustic barns, farm stands, wildflowers, wildlife, or stunning Willamette Valley mountain and river views.

• Youth
  Calling all photographers 18 and under! Prizes will be awarded for the best photograph and one for micro-video - our exciting new category, details below!
  Parental consent is required to participate see the Photographer Release and Under 18 Consent Form.
  
  
  
  

New This Year for Youth (18 & Under): Micro-Video!
In addition to submitting your photos, we’re introducing a micro-video category—5- to 10-second clips that capture a moment, mood, or memory in a flash. These bite-sized videos are perfect for Reels or social media. Most phones shoot great video, but remember to keep file sizes manageable--no 4K, please! Make sure your clip is eye-catching, and you just might snag our first-ever Youth Micro-Video prize!

Remember: You need a Model Release Form for people in your photos or videos. If your subject is under 18, you will need a parent to sign the release. When filming people, keep your content to friends and family. This will make it much easier to gather the signatures.  

Smartphone Photos
Photographers of all skill levels are welcome to enter. Don’t worry if you don’t have a fancy camera—most smartphones made after 2010 capture photos well over 1 MB, and that will work for our contest. 

• Original Work: Taken in 2023, 2024, or 2025, featuring Albany or Linn County.
• Formats: JPEG, PNG, minimum 300 dpi and at least 1MB in size.
• Composition: Standard rectangular portrait or landscape is preferred (square or panoramic images are harder to use in ads).
• Editing: Basic adjustments (contrast, color, cropping) are allowed, but no digitally added effects like montages or double exposures.
• Water Recreation: Must follow Oregon’s life jacket regulations if water activities are depicted.
• People: For recognizable faces, a signed Model Release Form is required.
• Drone Photos: We love your drone photos, however, due to changes in FAA regulations, we are not able to accept any photo taken with a drone without a copy of a valid and current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. See the Drone Photography Release Form for more information.

  
  

Enter the contest by filling out the Submission Form. Each photographer may submit up to 15 photos, except for the Youth category, which is limited to 10 photo or video submissions. 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 Food or Albany Civic Theater by Alicen Arsenault Landmark

Send Fees and Forms:

• Mail or drop off your $2-per-photo entry fee (exempt for youth), a completed Photographer Release and Under 18 Consent Form, and any necessary Model Release Forms to:

  Albany Visitors Association
  122 Ferry St SW
  Albany, OR 97321

  Use our after-hours mail drop slot if needed. 

• $2 per photo (cash or check only).
• Free for students and youth (no entry fee).

All entries, fees, and signed releases must be received by 5pm on Friday, March 7, 2025.

• Phone: 541-928-0911
• Address: 122 Ferry St SW, Albany, OR 97321

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