Students may submit up to three photos per category. There are nine categories for high school and one category for middle school.

Yes. All photos must be at least 500KB in size or larger. File types can be jpg/jpeg, png, or tif/tiff.

Yes. Photo editing programs may be used to enhance the technical aspects of the photo in ALL categories. Photo editing examples include cropping, correction of white balance, brightness/contrast and exposure, and switching to black & white. 

Photo Illustration category photos can be posed or electronically enhanced to illustrate a topic or idea. Examples of electronic enhancement include using filters, altering colors, adding/removing objects or people, or combining photos. See RULES menu for further details.

Yes! Winning photographs will be used in print and online. One of the most exciting opportunities for contest winners is to be showcased in print, which requires a higher resolution than images shown on screens. File sizes less than 500kb will not be accepted in the photo contest. Winners will be included in next year’s Jostens Look Book -- our yearbook featuring the best yearbooks and photography.

Absolutely, yes. You need signatures from anyone that is personally and substantially identifiable in the photo (including crowds, groups and athletes or bystanders who attend other schools). Subjects that are minors must have a parent or legal guardian signature. Photos submitted without a completed model release will not be accepted in the competition.

Yes, you need signatures from everyone recognizable, including at other schools. Contact the other school’s administrative office and ask for the email address of the coach. You can then email the other school’s coach for assistance in identifying people and/or gathering signatures.

No. Photos can be uploaded at any time during the submission period. You can wait to submit your photos until you are sure that you have your strongest collection but be sure to submit an application for each photo by March 1, end of day.

No. Photos with your signature, name or logo on the photo will not be accepted into the contest. 

If it's a photo of cheerleaders on the sidelines at a sporting event, enter under the Sports Sidelines category. If it's a photo of a competitive cheerleading team or half-time show, then enter under Sports Action.

You can see what you've uploaded. It's easy! You can view your entries by clicking on My Applications on the left-hand side of the submission page. Double-check your entries before submitting to be sure you are sending us your strongest work.

The school already has a signed release form for their students to be pictured anywhere the district sees fit. Would a copy of the school release form suffice?

Unfortunately, no. Releasing photos to the school is not the same legality as releasing images to Jostens. Each photo will require a Jostens release form.

A signed digital signature is fine. A typed signature will not be accepted into the contest.

No, you do not need to be on yearbook staff to win the photo contest. On the entry form you can fill in another teacher's information. This could be your photography teacher. Please be sure to list the teacher who is most involved in your photography development. If you win an award, this teacher's name will also be listed with your photo credit.

Yes. You may submit your photo to any photo contest.

Yes, North American citizens living abroad ARE eligible to enter the contest. United States and Canada Residents (excluding Quebec) can participate regardless of where they live.

Sorry, no, foreign exchange students are not eligible. Unfortunately, we are not legally able to award prizes to exchange students as winners need to pay taxes on the value of their prize.

Sorry, no. This contest is only offered in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

Sorry. This deadline is non-negotiable. We apologize, but we cannot accept photos after the website is closed. Photos from this year can be submitted to next year's Photo Contest if the photographer at the date of entering the photo contest is enrolled as a middle school, junior high school, or high school student, of 13 years or older. See RULES, eligibility for further details.

Winners will first be announced in April with a posting on our Jostens Adviser and Staff Facebook (@jostensadviserandstaff) and Instagram (@jostensyearbook) channels. The winners' announcement will be followed up with an email to the winning student photographer, copying their school yearbook adviser and Jostens representative. 

Yes. Jostens is happy to welcome students from all schools into the photo contest.