2026 Capture Image Competition Rules

Everything you need to enter, compete, and succeed. Review key rules and guidelines below.

Enter Competition

⚠ Key Rules

  • ANY image that receives a merit (score 80+) is ineligible for future entry into any PPA of PA image competition

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not permitted EXCEPT FOR THE AI FUSION CATEGORY

Entry Fees

  • $20 per image — PPA of PA Member

  • $25 per image — Non-Member (Early Bird Registration $20.00 before June 1)

  • 10$ per image for individual critiques

Submit Your Images

Photographic Competition Overview

Entrants must have captured and/or created the original exposure(s). All elements within the image must have been created or captured by the entrant. Digital backgrounds or other elements not created by the entrant are NOT permitted.

Categories

Portrait

  • General Portrait — families, groups, couples, adults, relationships, models, fashion portraits, artistic figure studies

  • Child Portrait — birth through 16

  • High School Senior — over 16

  • Animal Portrait — controlled environments

Illustrative

  • Landscape — mountains, cityscapes, sunsets, waterfalls

  • Nature — wildlife, plants, zoo/safari images

  • General Illustrative — conceptual or abstract

  • Commercial — product and marketing images

Reportage

  • Real-life storytelling or events

  • Only basic edits allowed

  • Only single-capture images accepted

    • PPA of PA’s Image Competitions are open to anyone. Members of PPA of PA, whose current year dues are paid 30 days prior to the competition, are eligible for awards.

    • There is no limit to the number of images an entrant may submit.

    • No photograph, or any other entry which has previously received a merit (score of 80 or higher) in a prior PPA of PA Inspire or Capture competition shall be eligible for awards in future competitions.

    • Images that were accepted into PPA’s International Photographic Competition (IPC) or received a Merit through PPA’s Merit Image Review (MIR) are eligible for awards (provided all other eligibility criteria is met).

    • DescrArtificial Intelligence (AI) is not permitted ... EXCEPT FOR THE AI FUSION CATEGORYiption text goes here

  • Upload specifications

    • 4,000px longest dimension

    • sRGB or Adobe RGB1998

    • JPEG quality 10

    • 100 to 95 Exceptional

    • 94 to 90 Superior

    • 89 to 85 Excellent

    • 84 to 80 Deserving of a Merit

    • 79 to 75 Above Average

    • 74 to 70 Average

    • 69 & under Below Exhibition Standards

    • Maximum 8 per category

    • ANY image scoring 80+ cannot be re-entered

  • Categories

    • Wedding Portrait

    • Wedding Candid

  • AI Fusion

    • Show starting image + AI-created version

    • NOT eligible for PA artist merits

    Creative

    • Artistic technique images

  • Trophy Judging Process

    • Head-to-head judging

    • 80+ required

    • Member requirement

    INSPIRE Awards

    • Best of Category

    • Best of Show

    • ASP Elite Award

    • CPP Award

    • Non-member Best of Show

    CAPTURE Awards

    • Best of Category

    • Best of Show

    • Non-member Best of Show

    1. Earn at least 1 service merit

    2. Attend Inspire/Capture or education event

    Categories

    • Photographer of the Year

    • Wedding Photographer of the Year

    • Artist of the Year

The Image Competition Committee reserves the right to change the category of an entry if necessary. All decisions are final. Please contact an Image Competition Committee member with questions. Revised 6/1/2025