2025 Photo Contest: Capturing the Value of Geoprofessionals
The official rules of Geoprofessional Business Association’s 2025 Digital Photo Contest.
Eligibility
The Digital Photo Contest (“Photo Contest”) is open only to employees of GBA Member-Firms.
The Photo Contest is sponsored by:
Geoprofessional Business Association 
401 N. Washington St., Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20850
Entry Period
The Photo Contest begins at 12:00am EST on July 1, 2025 and ends at 11:59pm EST on August 31, 2025 (the “Entry Period”). Entries submitted before or after the Entry Period will not be eligible. GBA’s computer is the official time-keeping device for the Photo Contest.
What to Enter
GBA is committed to promoting the value of geoprofessionals and we want to see it through your eyes. For our 2025 Photo Contest, we’re asking you to submit photos and videos that capture Geoprofessional Vibrancy, Impact, and Professionalism. This theme reflects GBA’s strategic emphasis on showcasing the energy, influence, and integrity of the geoprofessional field. We want to see how you visualize the dynamic work, meaningful outcomes, and high standards that define your team and projects.
To ensure eligibility for the contest, please submit files no larger than 4MB at the time of entry. Higher resolution files may be requested should an entry be preselected to be awarded a prize or an honorable mention. Videos may be submitted via link from a file-sharing or video-hosting platform (e.g., Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive) with downloads enabled. All photos and videos should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. Entries that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast, etc.) will be disqualified.
Entries may originate in any format — including, but not limited to digital files, digital prints, color transparencies, color prints, or black and white prints — so long as they are submitted electronically in a .JPEG .jpg, or.png form. Multiple exposures that have been combined to produce a single “High Dynamic Range” image are acceptable. Video entries should be submitted as downloadable links to files in a common video format (e.g., .MP4, .MOV).
Entries should include metadata if possible. Submit the following information with your entry:
• Name of photographer (if different than the person submitting)
• Email address of photographer (if different than the person submitting)
• Category for Which This Photo is Submitted
• Name of location (ex: Bedford Town Hall – Construction Phase 2)
• City
• State/Province
• Country
• Detailed caption of subject matter
Previously published material for which non-exclusive rights were granted may be entered as long as you still maintain the right to grant us a license (see “Your Rights” below). You must be able to disclose when and where the photo appeared previously to Geoprofessional Business Association upon request.
If you choose to include people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary releases from the individuals depicted and must be able to provide copies of those releases to Geoprofessional Business Association upon request.
The following submissions are ineligible:
• Photos or videos that include logos or branded material.
• Images that exhibit unsafe work practices.
• Photos or videos that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright.
• Photos or videos that contain objectionable or inappropriate content.
• Images or videos that involve damage to the environment by the photographer.
• Images or videos taken more than three years prior to the beginning date of the Contest (July 1, 2025).
Geoprofessional Business Association shall determine entry eligibility in its sole and absolute discretion.
How to Enter
All images must be submitted via email to info@geoprofessional.org, with the subject line “2025 Photo Contest Submittal” and include in the e-mail all required fields, including name, email, and other information about your photo submission. Digital entries that are sent via mail will not be accepted.
You may enter one submission for each category, but you may not use an agency or automated system to enter. GBA reserves the right to reject any additional entries or entries that do not comply with these Official Rules. By entering, you indicate your unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, these Official Rules and GBA’s decisions, which are final and binding. You cannot win a prize unless you comply with all requirements in these Official Rules.
Entrants may be asked to supplement their submission (such as with a paragraph about their photo or the highest resolution version of their photo) anytime on or after September 1, 2025.
Judging
Entries will be judged on originality, composition, artistic merit, technical excellence, relevance to category and theme, storytelling and emotional impact, and demonstration of GBA values. Judging will be conducted by a panel of GBA employees and a group of guest judges to be selected by GBA at its sole discretion (the “Panel”). The Panel will evaluate all valid entries and pick the following winners in the following categories:
1. Overall (3 winners. 1 first prize, 1 runner-up, 1 second runner-up): You’ve nailed it. Your entries rise above the rest and encapsulate the geoprofessional vibrancy, impact, and professionalism in a stunning way.
2. Categories:
a. Vibrancy in Action (1 winner) – Capture the energy, teamwork, or excitement of daily geoprofessional life.
b. Impact in the Field (1 winner) – Show how your work positively influences people (quality of life, public safety), infrastructure, or the environment.
c. Professionalism (1 winner) – Spotlight safety, quality, leadership, or technical excellence in geoprofessional practice. Feature client or team engagement that advances project success through collaboration and communication.
d. Creative Composition (1 winner) – Share a striking, well-composed photo that artfully represents the geoprofessional world.
e. Video (1 winner) – Submit a short video clip (up to 30 seconds) that brings the contest theme to life. Videos may feature field footage, drone clips, lab scenes, or visual storytelling that highlights the value of geoprofessionals.
All winners and honorable mentions will be notified of their status within 14 days of September 1, 2025 and will appear on the www.geoprofessional.org website. All winners will also be showcased at an upcoming GBA event.
All judging decisions are final. Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging.
GBA will notify the winner via the contact information provided at the time of entry.
Potential Winner Requirements
Must be employed by a GBA Member-Firm throughout the duration of the contest.
Prizes
GBA will award the following prizes.
One (1) Overall grand prize winner will receive:
• A $100 Gift Card
• A photo mention in GBA’s NEWSlog
• Recognition at an upcoming GBA event.
• Winners Plaque
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences
One (1) Overall runner-up winner will receive:
• A $50 gift card
• A photo mention in GBA’s NEWSlog
• Runner-up Plaque
• Recognition at an upcoming GBA event
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences
One (1) Overall second runner-up winner will receive:
• A $50 gift card
• A photo mention in GBA’s NEWSlog
• Runner-up Certificate
• Recognition at an upcoming GBA event
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences
Five (5) Category Winners will receive:
• Recognition at an upcoming GBA event
• Category Winner Certificate
• Mention on GBA’s digital presences
Prizes will only be shipped to addresses in North America.
All winners are responsible for paying any income taxes and any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Any prize details not specified above will be determined by GBA, in its sole discretion. A prize may not be transferred and must be accepted as awarded.
Questions
Questions and inquiries about contest rules can be emailed to info@geoprofessional.org.
Your Rights
Your photos and videos help GBA highlight the value of geoprofessionals to our communities and to our world. Thank you for helping to further our mission.
GBA will retain all rights to any photograph or video you submit — including ownership.
If you submit a photo or video to the Photo Contest, you grant the Geoprofessional Business Association a royalty-free, nonexclusive right to:
• Display the photo or video on the Photo Contest submission website, the GBA website (www.geoprofessional.org), and on all GBA media outlets.
• Allow third parties to share the photo on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
Upon submission of your photo or video, you grant the Geoprofessional Business Association a royalty-free, nonexclusive right, in perpetuity, to:
• Use the photo or video on the internet and social media in support of our mission and strategic direction.
• Use the photo or video in GBA’s internal and external communications materials including but not limited to websites and web publications, fact sheets, fundraising publications, advertising, multimedia, presentation and membership services, and annual report.
• Provide your photo or video to other individuals and organizations for conservancy-related use in news stories, newsletters, reports, slide shows, displays, webpages, videos, membership premiums, and the like.
• Use, in connection with the Photo Contest, your name, city, state, and country of residence in promotions and other publications.
• Retain a digital copy of your photo or video that will be archived in the GBA multimedia library and accessible to GBA staff via GBA internal online multimedia archive.
General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Photo Contest is impaired in any way, GBA may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Photo Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Photo Contest; or (b) award the prize(s) from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. GBA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify and seek damages from any individual who tampers with the operation of the Photo Contest, violates these Official Rules, or acts in a disruptive or unsportsmanlike manner. GBA’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Proof of sending any communication to GBA by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by GBA. In the event of a dispute as to the owner of an online entry, the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter will be deemed to be the owner. The Photo Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.
Release and Limitations of Liability
By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless GBA, officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Photo Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Photo Contest; (b) technical errors; (c) printing errors; (d) late or undelivered mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Photo Contest; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property. You waive the right to claim any attorney’s fees and any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
Privacy and Publicity
Any information you submit as part of the Photo Contest will be used in accordance with GBA’s Privacy Policy. The information you provide when you enter is provided to GBA. Except where prohibited, you consent to GBA’s use of your name in any list of winners (if applicable) and for promotional purposes in any media without further payment or consideration.
Disputes
You agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Photo Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Maryland. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules, your rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of GBA in connection with the Photo Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Maryland, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of Maryland any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Maryland.
Questions
Questions and inquiries about contest rules can be emailed to info@geoprofessional.org.