--- title: 2026 It's A Snap! Baltimore Photo Contest description: Photo contest on the theme of Baltimore's Architecture; prizes up to a $500 gift card for photos taken within the Baltimore National Heritage Area. url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/3af67335-0895-43ca-8016-331ac035c5b4 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Prize/award organization: Baltimore National Heritage Area organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/baltimore-national-heritage-area deadline: "2026-12-31" location: Baltimore, MD, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: Grand Prize Winner receives a $500 gift card; winning photographers receive prizes and have images showcased on BNHA's social media and exhibited to the public. disciplines: - photography --- # 2026 It's A Snap! Baltimore Photo Contest **Hosted by:** Baltimore National Heritage Area **Type:** Prize/award | **Location:** Baltimore, MD, United States | **Deadline:** December 31, 2026 ## About This Program > "Baltimore's Architecture" ### About This Call SEEKING ASPIRING PHOTOJOURNALISTS AND SHUTTERBUGS! No matter your level of expertise. Bring it on. *** Minors (16 and up) are encouraged to participate with parental consent. *** This year's theme is "Baltimore’s Architecture". We are looking for photos that represent the unique beauty of Baltimore’s buildings, bridges, monuments, and other architectural feats. Interior and exterior shots are welcomed! No professional models, please. Winning photographers receive prizes, and the best images will be showcased on BNHA’s social media channels and exhibited to the public. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500 gift card. Photographs must be taken within the Baltimore National Heritage Area (map). All hi-res entries must be submitted electronically by December 31, 2026. Photos can be in color or black and white. Why is the contest period so long? We want to give you a chance to capture city life in every season, from Spring to early Winter. For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must secure a model release from the subject or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian and provide it to BNHA upon request. A model release is available on the heritage area’s website. ### Photo Contest Prizes The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500 gift card. First place - $400 gift card. Second Place - $300 gift card. Honorable Mention - $50 gift card. Photographers can only win one prize per contest. So submit your best. ### Conditions of Entry The contest begins April 1st, 2026 and ends December 31st, 2026 at 11:59 pm. By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest and states that they are 16 years of age or older. - Open to any amateur or professional photographer 16 years of age or older, except employees, board members, and advisory committee members of the Baltimore Heritage Area Association, Inc. and members of their immediate families and employees and family members of any photo contest sponsors. - Entrants under 18 years of age must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian. - All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of the Baltimore National Heritage Area. - The entrant must own the photo or rights to the photo. - Photographs must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2018. - Landscape (horizontal) layout recommended. - Cropped photos are eligible; digitally or otherwise enhanced or altered photos are not accepted. Minor adjustments (spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast, slight color adjustment) are acceptable. - Photographs should be taken at the highest resolution possible and no less than 300 dpi, in JPEG, JPG, or GIF format. High-resolution scans of non-digital photographs are acceptable. - Photos that have won any other contest's grand prize or first, second or third place overall are not eligible. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** Local - **Disciplines:** photography - **Age Requirements:** 16+ years old - **Note:** Open to any amateur or professional photographer 16 years of age or older, except employees, board members, and advisory committee members of the Baltimore Heritage Area Association, Inc. and members of their immediate families, and employees and family members of any photo contest sponsors. Entrants under 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent. Photographs must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2018. Photos that have previously won a grand prize or first, second or third place overall in another contest are not eligible. ### Additional Requirements - Hi-resolution photo entries, submitted electronically - Photos must be taken within the Baltimore National Heritage Area - A model release for any recognizable person in the photo (or parent/guardian release for a minor), provided to BNHA upon request ## Compensation & Benefits Grand Prize Winner receives a $500 gift card; winning photographers receive prizes and have images showcased on BNHA's social media and exhibited to the public. **Includes:** Prize Photographers can only win one prize per contest, so submit your best. ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 23, 2026 - **Deadline:** December 31, 2026 ## How to Apply Apply at: https://www.explorebaltimore.org/page/its-a-snap-baltimore-photo-contest