FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

WHERE DO I GO TO SUBMIT A PHOTO?
Login or Create an Account
Submit a Photo

Release Form

HOW MANY PHOTOS MAY I SUBMIT?
Students may submit up to three photos per category. 

DO MY PHOTOS NEED TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE OR FORMAT?
Yes. All photos must be at least 500KB in size or larger. File types can be jpg/jpeg, png, or tif/tiff.

CAN I ENHANCE MY PHOTO?
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 Contest Rules menu for further details.

WHY IS THE IMAGE SIZE IMPORTANT? DOES THE PHOTO NEED TO BE AT LEAST 500KB?
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. The photo contest will not accept file sizes less than 500KB. Winners will be included in the upcoming Jostens Look Book -- Jostens yearbook featuring the best yearbooks​​​​​.

DO I NEED SIGNATURES FROM EVERYONE IN THE PHOTO?
Absolutely, yes. You need signatures from anyone who is personally and substantially identifiable in the photo (including crowds, groups, athletes, or bystanders who attend other schools). Subjects that are minors must have a parent or legal guardian's signature. Photos submitted without a completed photo release will not be accepted in the competition.

MY PHOTO HAS ANOTHER SCHOOL IN IT, DO I NEED THEIR SIGNATURES? HOW CAN I GET THEM?
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 for gathering signatures.

DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT ALL MY PHOTOS AT ONCE?
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.

ARE PHOTO WATERMARKS ALLOWED?
No. Photos with your signature, name, or logo on the photo will not be accepted into the contest.

WHICH CATEGORY DO I ENTER MY CHEERLEADING PHOTO IN?
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.

WHAT IF I UPLOADED PHOTOS A WHILE AGO BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONES?
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.

COULD I USE THE SCHOOL RELEASE FORM INSTEAD?
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 photo release form.

WOULD A DIGITAL SIGNATURE BE OKAY?
A signed digital signature is fine. A typed signature will not be accepted into the contest.

DO I NEED TO BE ON THE YEARBOOK STAFF TO WIN?
No, you do not need to be on the 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.

I AM AN AMERICAN CITIZEN LIVING ABROAD. AM I ELIGIBLE?
Yes, North American citizens living abroad ARE eligible to enter the contest. United States and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) can participate regardless of where they live.

I AM AN EXCHANGE STUDENT ATTENDING AN AMERICAN OR CANADIAN SCHOOL. AM I ELIGIBLE?
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 prizes.

I AM AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR THE CONTEST?
Sorry, no. This contest is only offered in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec).

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LANDSCAPE CATEGORY?
As much as we appreciate the artistry and talent of our landscape photographers, we have made the decision to remove this category from our contest. The Jostens Photography contest seeks to recognize student photojournalists for the high-quality work they create for their yearbooks and/or student publications, making landscape photography less relevant to this goal. Removing this category in 2025 allowed us to introduce two new categories – Performing Arts and Series - Portfolio – and provide yearbook photographers more opportunities for recognition.

WHAT IF I GET A GREAT PHOTO BUT I CAN'T SUBMIT IT BY MARCH 1ST?
Sorry. This deadline is non-negotiable. We apologize, but we cannot accept photos after closing the website. 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, 13 years or older. See Contest Rules eligibility for further details.

WHEN DO WE FIND OUT WHO WON?
In April, winners will be announced with a posting on our Jostens Adviser and Staff Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. The winners' announcement will be followed with an email to the winning student photographer, copying their school yearbook adviser and Jostens representative.

MY SCHOOL DOES NOT WORK WITH JOSTENS, AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?
Yes. Jostens is happy to welcome students from all schools into the photo contest. See Contest Rules for details.

CAN I SUBMIT THE SAME PHOTO TO OTHER CONTESTS?
Yes. You may submit your photo(s) to any photo contest.

DO MY PHOTOS NEED TO BE FROM THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR?
From the contest rules page: All photos must have been taken by the entrant within two (2) years before the date of entry and must not have been entered in a prior Jostens Photo Contest. Learn more at Contest Rules.
 

If you have further questions, please contact your Jostens Representative or linda.sue@jostens.com.

Share