2025 Contest FAQs

Do I need to take a photo of a specific type of animal?
No, we’re accepting submissions of all types of animals, pets or otherwise. For example, it can be your kittens or puppies, farm animals or animals at your local zoo. The more variety the better!

Can I edit my photos?
No, we will not accept photos that have been edited using Photoshop or any other program. 

Whose photos can I submit?
You can only submit photos that you took yourself. Submission of AI-generated images or another person’s photos is not permitted.

Do you want vertical or horizontal photos?
We’ll accept both, but a vertical (portrait) photo will be a better fit on this year's calendar.

Is the calendar focused on preparing your animals for an emergency?
No, this is a play on preparedness for everyone. The calendar will cover different ways people and animals can prepare for disasters. But having a plan for your pet is an important part of being prepared! 

Can people be in the photos?
No, the focus should be on the animals. 

Should I send a photo with a caption on it?
No, please send your photo without words or a caption. We’ll add that here so they all have the same font and size in the calendar. 

What’s the prize?
Winning photos will be featured in the 2025 Get Ready calendar. There are no other prizes.

What kind of calendar is it?
We are creating a calendar for APHA’s Get Ready campaign that features winning photos and preparedness tips.

Do you own my photo? What will you do with it?
You will retain ownership of your photo. But by submitting your photo you are granting APHA unlimited, irrevocable, uncompensated licensing rights to your photo. That gives APHA permission to use it for things like marketing, promotion, editorial use and communication, etc. We may sell or give away a calendar or T-shirt, etc., that has your photo on it to promote preparedness. 

How will photos be judged? Who picks the winners? How many winners will there be?
The photos will be judged for quality, applicability to preparedness and general appeal. A committee from APHA’s Get Ready team will pick the winning photos.

What size photo should I submit? 
The better quality your photo is, the more likely you can win. The best photos are larger than 1MB. When you email your submission, make sure you submit the largest file size possible. You can find instructions on how to do this online.

When will the winners be announced?
The contest is open for submissions June 24-July 12, 2024. Winners will be announced on the Get Ready website after the contest closes. 

How do I submit my photo? 
Contest entries should be submitted via email to GetReadyContest@apha.org. Include your name, address and phone number as well as the name of the animal, if applicable. Photos should be attached as the largest file size available and in .jpg (JPEG) format to your email. 

Where’s the fine print?
As in any contest, we have legal rules and regulations. Check them out on the photo contest information page

Disclaimer
Please don’t hurt the animals! Photographers should maintain the safety of the animals — and themselves — when taking their photos.


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