Photography Contest & Annual Calendar

2028 Contest is Open!

The 2028 contest is open through Monday, September 6, 2027. 

Enter your photos taken in a City of Madison park! Photos meeting the requirements may be submitted through Labor Day for consideration in the following year's calendar. 

• Judging takes place in September. 
• Winners are announced in the fall. 
• Winners receive one complimentary calendar per winning photo.

Winning Tips

• People and action in the park, typically scores higher than just beautiful scenery.
• Wildlife and also showing the park, is a winning combination.
• Lake view and also showing the park or showing the park with people even better. 

Photography Contest Requirements

• Photographs must be taken in a City of Madison park or park facility, such as Goodman Pool, Forest Hill Cemetery, City of Madison Golf Courses, Warner Park Community Recreation Center and Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Please see Parks A to Z for the listing of parks.
• The photo may not be altered beyond light edits or enhancements; major alterations will not be accepted.
• You may submit up to three (3) images per season (spring, summer, fall and winter) for a maximum of 12 photos.
• Photographs must be the highest resolution possible.
• Photographs must be submitted by the photographer or parent or guardian of a child under 18.
• If a person or people are recognizable, permission must be granted.
• The contest is open to all, including City staff.
• Only horizontal/landscape mode digital photos will be considered.

By entering a photo, you are verifying

• The image is your own.
• The photo has not been altered beyond minor light editing/enhancements.
• The photo is not subject to any third-party agreements.
• No laws were violated in obtaining the photo.

The Fine Print 

By submitting a photo or photos to be considered for the 2027 Madison Parks calendar project, you give the City of Madison, through the Madison Parks Division, consent to the use of these photographs for any purpose consistent with the City of Madison Park Division's missions. These uses include, but are not limited to, illustrations, bulletins, exhibitions, videotapes, reprints, reproductions, publications, advertisements, brochures, website pages and social media postings and any promotional or educational materials in any medium now known or later developed. You further represent that any persons depicted in said photographs have consented to the use of their likeness for this purpose. You further acknowledge that neither you nor any other person or organization depicted in these photographs will receive any compensation, etc. for the use of such pictures, etc., and hereby release the City of Madison and its officers, agents, officials, and employees from any and all claims which arise out of or are in any way connected with such use.