Pet Photography Contest

Parade Magazine's Dress Your Pet Photo Contest

Here are some questions being asked by entrants. Hurry to enter, it ends 11/30/2007.

Click on the questions listed below to reveal the answers:
Home | Official Rules | Snapshot FAQsShould I mail-in my photo, submit it online or do both?

Please do not submit the same photo via mail-in and also online. Due to the volume of mail PARADE receives, the preferable means of entry is online, but please note this does not mean you will have a greater chance of winning submitting your photos one way or the other. Please see official rules for more details.

How many photos may I enter into the contest?

You may enter as many photographs as you like, but they must be submitted one at a time. Hard copy photos must submitted 1 per envelope.
What format should I use? And how big can the image be?

Please submit images that are less than 5 megabytes (MB) in JPEG (.jpg) format. For your reference, most photos taken with digital cameras will be 1MB or 2MB. Mail-in entries should be no larger NO LARGER THEN 5X7 (for both the photo and envelope).

If submit my photo via mail-in, will you return it to me and/or confirm that your received it?

Unfortunately, PARADE will not be able to return your photos if you chose to mail it in nor can we confirm receipt of your photo. If you submit your photo via online, you will be able to see it within the contest gallery. (To do this, you should search for it within the contest gallery with the picture name or user name you provided.)

If my photo has a dog and a cat, should I submit it in each category?

Please submit your photos in the category that it best represents (and only in one category). If you photo has more then one animal, please submit it in the "other animals" category.

If I already submitted a Pet Photo to PARADE, will it automatically be part of the photo contest?

NO, you must enter the photo through the contest page. If you previously submitted a photo to snapshot or for another contest, please upload the photo again to the contest photo gallery.

What criteria will be used to judge my photo?

All entries will be judged on or about December 14, 2007 he “Judging Date”) by a panel of judges comprised of Parade.com editorial and marketing staff. The judges will score entries within three potential categories: Dogs, Cats, Other Animals based on the following criteria: photo quality (25%), interest of subject matter (25%), visual appeal (25%) and consistency with theme “Dressed Pets” (25%). The entry with highest overall scores in each of the three categories: Dogs, Cats and other Animals will be declared the potential winner (in the event of a tie, the entry with the higher score in the ‘photo quality’ criteria will prevail).

The contest is called "Dress Your Pet Photo Contest." Can I submit a photo taken with people and other images?

Yes, but the theme is Pets so that’s how we will be judging the photo.

Who can enter the contest?

You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States/D.C. and at least 13 years old. The contest is not open to employees of PARADE and their immediate families.

What’s the deadline for submissions?

Online entries must be received by November 30, 2007 5PM E.S.T. Mail-in entries must be postmarked by November 30, 2007 5PM E.S.T., and received no later than five (5) days later..
When will the judging take place?

All entries will be judged on or about December 14, 2007.

Do I retain the rights to my photo after it is submitted?

Yes, as the photographer you retain the copyright ownership of your photo.

Can I enter my photo in other contests or get it published again somewhere else?

Yes, as the photographer of the photo, you retain the copyright of your photo and may do with it as you wish.

I use an online photo service. Can I just send you a link to my photo?

No. Because of the volume of entries we receive, you must send us the actual image file as a JPEG (.jpg), not a link or other type of file. Other formats may not be readable. If an image file is not readable, it will not be considered.

Should I "stuff" or "zip" my file?

No. If your file is the proper size (less than 5 megabytes) and the recommended format (JPEG), then there is no need for additional compression.

I used a photo software program (such as Photoshop) to alter my picture. Is it OK to submit it to the contest?

Yes, it is OK to submit altered photos.

What happens if my photo is selected as a winner?

You will be notified by mail and/or telephone.

How can I find out who won?

For a list containing the name(s) of the winner(s), send a self-addressed stamped envelope, within six (6) months of the Judging Date, to: PARADE Publications c/o Winner List – Dress Your Pet Photo Contest, 711 Third Ave., NY, NY 10017.



For help and frequently asked questions on uploading to PARADE’s Snapshot section, please click here.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter and for full rules, including alternate method of entry, visit www.parade.com/dressyourpet. Starts 5:00 PM E.S.T., 10/24/07 and ends 5:00 PM E.S.T., 11/30/07. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. 13 years and older, except employees of Sponsor and their immediate families and those living in the same household. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Void outside the 50 United States and D.C. and where otherwise prohibited. A.R.V. of three grand prizes: $1000 per category (cats, dogs, other animals). Sponsor: Parade Publications, 711 Third Ave., NY, NY 10017.