By David Markham
The Picture Your JCPRD photo contest returns for a third year with a new sponsor, new judges, and new prize options. The 2026 contest begins Sept. 1. It’s free to enter, and the final submission deadline is Oct. 30.
“You don’t have to be a professional photographer or use expensive gear to get great photos in our parks,” said Multimedia Specialist Ryan Fitzgerald. “Phone photos are welcome and if people have some great shots from the last few years in their collection, we would love to see them. We want to see your authentic moments while enjoying JCPRD facilities and we encourage everyone from amateurs to professionals to participate!”
Bedford Camera & Video of Overland Park recently stepped up to sponsor this year’s contest.
“Bedford is one of the only camera stores in this region and serves as a central hub for the KC photography community,” Fitzgerald said. “We expect an increase in the number of submissions to our contest due to this visibility. The Bedford staff have a lot of experience judging photo contests and will also help us to narrow down our potential winners.”
The contest debuted in 2024, and encourages the public to snap photos at JCPRD programs, events, parks, or facilities for a chance to win prizes and showcase the best of our community.
Picture Your JCPRD is open to photographers of all ages, with the exception of JCPRD employees and their immediate family members. To be considered, submissions must be uploaded to JCPRD.com/2202/Picture-Your-JCPRD.
The 2025 contest drew more than 300 entries from over 88 entrants. See last year’s winning entrants at JCPRD.com/2295/Picture-Your-JCPRD—2025-Winners.
As in past years, contest entries will be accepted in three categories:
- Landscapes which capture the natural beauty of JCPRD parks.
- Recreation & Activities highlighting various recreational activities available in our parks. Whether it’s sports, hiking, picnicking, or playground fun, show how you (and your furry friends) enjoy our places and spaces.
- Wildlife showcasing the diverse wildlife that inhabits our parks. Whether it’s a bird in flight, a deer grazing, or any other animal, we want to see the fauna that calls our parks home.
“Don’t worry if you are having a hard time choosing the best shot,” Fitzgerald said. “Participants are allowed to enter up to three photos per category for up to nine total photos per participant.”
Bedford’s sponsorship also adds another option for how contest winners can take their prize.
For each category, JCPRD will award three prizes. First prize can be taken as a $500 JCPRD gift card, a $300 Bedford gift card, or a $250 Visa gift card. Second place winners will have a choice of a $200 JCPRD gift card, a $150 Bedford gift card, or a $100 Visa gift card. Third place can be taken as a $100 JCPRD gift card, a $75 Bedford gift card, or a $50 Visa gift card.
In addition to these prizes, a new overall best photo award has been added courtesy of Bedford’s sponsorship for this year’s contest and will be selected from the three first place winners. This photo will receive a $500 Bedford gift card along with their choice of a first place prize as listed above.
Entries will be judged on creativity, composition, relevance to the category, and overall impact.
The 2026 submission deadline is Oct 30. To enter, visit JCPRD.com/2202/Picture-Your-JCPRD and follow the submission instructions. To ensure the best quality for judging and future use, only high-resolution JPG images will be accepted.
Here’s some other important contest information entrants should be aware of:
- All photographs must have been taken within the past three years in one of JCPRD’s parks or facilities (see JCPRD.com/facilities for a list of eligible locations) or at a JCPRD sponsored class, program, or event. All photographs must be original images taken by the entrant and cannot have been previously published. Photos should accurately reflect the subject matter and scene as it appeared and should not be digitally altered beyond standard optimization.
- Each entrant may enter up to three photos in each category. Photographs must be submitted in JPG format using .jpg as the file extension. Files must be high resolution of at least 3.2 megapixels or greater. If there are patrons/participants in the submitted photo(s) that are under the age of 18, you must affirm that you have been granted permission by the individuals pictured to submit this photo.
- By entering the contest, photographers grant JCPRD the right at its discretion to edit, adapt, use, and distribute submitted images, in whole or in part, without payment or any other consideration in perpetuity; and to identify the photographer by name and city of residence. Other than these usage rights, participants retain all rights to any photographs submitted – including ownership if applicable.
- Photo entries could be used across JCPRD marketing materials, including but not limited to social media, websites, and print materials like brochures, camp guides, and flyers.
Complete contest rules can be found at: JCPRD.com/2202/Picture-Your-JCPRD.
“The JCPRD Photo Contest is always a fun time for the marketing team, but this is extra special because it is our first year partnering with Bedford Camera & Video,” said Fitzgerald.
