Photo Submission Contest – 2026 Visitor Guide

October 31

Hosted by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit Grand Rapids

We’re looking for stunning outdoor photos that capture the beauty, culture, and spirit of Itasca County! Submit your best vertical (portrait orientation) shots for a chance to be featured in our 2026 Grand Rapids Area Visitor Guide and win Chamber Bucks to be used at any Chamber member business!

🏆 Prizes

1st Place – $250 in Chamber Bucks + Photo featured on the cover of the 2026 Grand Rapids Area Visitor Guide
2nd Place – $150 in Chamber Bucks + Photo featured inside the guide
3rd Place – $75 in Chamber Bucks + Photo featured inside the guide

📷 Photo Submission Guidelines

Orientation: Photos must be portrait (vertical) to fit the Visitor Guide cover layout.
Location: All photos must be taken outdoors in Itasca County, MN.
Content: Highlight scenic landscapes, seasonal beauty, outdoor recreation, our culture, or local landmarks. People may be included, but avoid close-ups.
Image Quality: High-resolution photos (300 DPI minimum) preferred; smartphone photos accepted if they meet quality standards.
Branding: No visible brand names, logos, or watermarks. If a selected photo contains brand logos, they will be digitally removed.
Original Work: You must be the original photographer and hold full rights to the image.

📅 Deadline for Submissions

Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST

📬 How to Submit

Email your photo(s) to: jennifer@grandmn.com
Subject line: 2026 Photo Contest Submission
Include:

Your full name
Contact information
Location where the photo was taken within Itasca County (this can be general, but describe as best as you can)
A brief description or title of the photo

Limit 5 photo entries per person.

⚖️ Judging Criteria

Photos will be evaluated by a selection panel based on:

Uniquely highlighting the natural beauty and essence of our topography and landscape, culture, and/or local landmarks.
Relevance to tourism and the outdoor Itasca County experience
Originality
Composition & visual impact
Ability to achieve photo quality and clarity

📝 Disclaimers

By entering, you grant the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Grand Rapids, and Thousand Grand Lakes a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use your submitted photo(s) in the Visitor Guide and related marketing materials (print, web, social media, etc.) used in promotion of our area.
Brand name logos, if visible in winning photos, will be edited out prior to publication.
Chamber Bucks are redeemable at participating Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce member businesses. For a listing, visit grandmn.com

Questions?

We look forward to seeing Itasca County through your lens!

Details

Date:: October 31