Photo Contest

IUSD is excited to host a 50th anniversary photo contest to visually capture our District's vibrant history!  Below are the contest details and the contest rules.    

Who Can Enter the Contest:
Current and former students, staff and families, along with community members of all ages are invited to participate!

Contest Dates:
April 19 - May 23

All entries must be received through the online Google Form, by mail or in person by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Tuesday, May 23, 2022.

Contest Age Groups and Categories: 

  • Ages 12 and Up
    • In the 12 and up age group, only one (1) photograph per category, per entrant may be submitted; individual photographers can submit a total of six (6) photographs, but only one (1) per category. If more than two photographs are submitted per category from the same photographer, the entries will be voided and the contestant will be asked to resubmit only one photo. Categories for this age group include:
      • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
        • Students or teachers engaging in STEM activities
        • STEM related projects
      • Visual and Performing Arts
        • Students engaging in visual and performing arts performances activities and performances  
        • Visual and performing arts projects and works of arts, graphics, crafts, design, ceramics, digital media, drawing and painting
        • Arts educators teaching students 
      • Athletics 
        • Students engaging in athletics and related activities such as practices and competitions 
        • Coaches working with students
      • IUSD Community
        • Student life on campus, including clubs, ASB, spirit days, pep rallies, events, assemblies, etc.
        • IUSD PTA activities
        • Irvine Public Schools Foundation activities 
        • Parent/family volunteers in action
      • Architectural
        • IUSD schools and facilities (No people included in the shots)
        • Athletic fields,  pools, gyms and other related spaces 
      •  Historical 
        • Photos from 1972-2012 that celebrate IUSD's legacy of educational excellence 
        • May include students, teachers, families, PTAs, activities, events , schools, facilities and other IUSD related images
           
  • Ages 11 and Under
    • There are no defined categories for this age group. However, it is suggested that students take photos that relate to IUSD. Above are examples of the categories that are listed in the 12 and Up age group that may be helpful.  Students in this age group may submit up to six (6) photos. Student's parent or legal guardian must complete a separate form for each photo submitted.

View the Photo Contest rules below for both age groups for more information and requirements. 

How to enter:

Submissions:

  • Online Google Form - Entrants may submit photos online through our Google Form.  You must have a Google or gmail account and be signed in to access the Google submission form. If you do not have a gmail or Google account, click here for directions to obtain a free account.   
  • Mail or In Person - Entrants may also submit high-quality photos on a flash drive by mail or in person to the IUSD District Office, attention IUSD Public Information Office: 5050 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92604. Please note, entrants should not submit original or hardcopy photos by mail or in person, as IUSD cannot guarantee their return or that they will be scanned and entered in the contest.  High quality scanned photographs of the original non-digital photo are acceptable. For those submitting entries by mail or in person, click here for the downloadable PDF submission form. One (1) form per entry must be completed and submitted. 

Contest Winners:
All winners and runner-ups will be announced the week of May 23, 2022.

  • In the ages 12 and above Photo Contest group, one (1) winner and two (2) runner ups will be selected from each of the six (6) categories listed above. 
  • In the ages 11 and under Photo Contest group, one (1) winner and (2) runner ups will be selected.

Age group and category winners will be: recognized at a future Board of Education Meeting, have their photos displayed during the IUSD State of the District on October 19, 2022, their photos will be displayed long-term at the District Office, and photos will be posted on IUSD’s website and social media sites.

All photos submitted that meet the contest rules will be displayed by group and category on the District’s 50th anniversary webpage.  

If you have Photo Contest questions, please email Communications@iusd.org. 

IUSD 50th Anniversary Photo Contest Rules

Photo Contest Dates

The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) 50th Anniversary Photo Contest (“Photo Contest”) begins April 19, 2022 and ends May 17, 2022.  By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest.  

Who May Enter

Participants of all ages may enter the Photo Contest in one of two groups:

  • Ages 12 and up, which includes six (6) categories described below.
  • Ages 11 and under, which includes general guidance for photo submissions. 

See group instructions below.   

***Participants under the age of 18, must have parent or guardian permission to participate and submit photos (see entry form for required parent/guardian permission and verification).  Students in the 11 and under age group must have parents submit photos on their behalf.*** 

Categories

Ages 12 and Up 

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: (Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past 10 years - 2012 to the present.)

  • Photos that represent IUSD students engaging in science, technology, engineering or mathematics activities.
  • This category may also include images of STEM related projects.

Visual and Performing Arts: (Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past 10 years - 2012 to the present.)

  • Images may include students engaging in visual and performing arts activities.
  • Images may also include Visual and Performing Arts projects and works of art.
  • Visual Arts include graphics, crafts, design, ceramics, digital media, drawing and painting.
  • Performing Arts include music, choral/signing, theater and dance.

Athletics: (Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past 10 years - 2012 to the present.)

  • Images may include IUSD students engaging in athletics and other related activities and competitions.

IUSD Community: (Photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past 10 years - 2012 to the present.)

  • Student life on campus, including clubs, ASB, spirit days, pep rallies, events, assemblies and more.
  • IUSD PTA activities.
  • Irvine Public Schools Foundation Activities.
  • Parent/family engagement and/or volunteer activities.

Architectural: (No people included and photographs must have been shot by the entrant within the past 10 years - 2012 to the present.  Contest participants may not enter or photograph IUSD schools during school hours or when students are on campus.  Contest participants must have permission from school principals or district officials before entering and taking photos inside IUSD schools and/or facilities.) 

  • May include IUSD schools and facilities outside or inside.
  • IUSD athletic fields, pools, gyms and other related spaces may also be submitted.

IUSD Historical Photos: (Images in this category must be from 1972-2012) 

  • Photos that celebrate our legacy and may include IUSD schools, facilities, teachers, students, parent/family volunteers, activities, events and other related historical images.  

Ages 11 and Under Group

  • There are no defined categories for this age group.  However, it is suggested that students take photos that relate to IUSD, similar to the categories listed above in the 12 and up age group.

Photo Contest Rules

Entrants and photos that are not compliant will not be included or considered as part of the photo contest.

  • For photos in which a person is recognizable, you must secure a Model Release Form from the subject(s) or, in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or legal guardian must sign the release form. All contest entrants must provide a model release form to IUSD upon request. You may obtain a copy of the release form by clicking here. (Please note, architectural and historical photo categories are exempt from obtaining a model release form.)
  • In the 12 and up age group, only one (1) photograph per category, per entrant may be submitted; individual photographers can submit a total of six (6) photographs, but only one (1) per category. If more than two photographs are submitted per category from the same photographer, the entries will be voided and the contestant will be asked to resubmit only one photo. Use the online entry Google Form also found on the IUSD website at iusd.org/50. Complete a separate form for each photo submitted.
  • In the 11 and under age group, entrants may submit only up to six (6) photographs per student.
  • For those submitting entries by mail or in person, click here for the downloadable PDF submission form.  One (1) form per entry must be completed and submitted.
  • Captions must be specific (e.g. Northwood High School Front Exterior; University High School Band performing at home football game, etc.) 
  • Digital photographs should be taken at the highest resolution possible. Photographs must be in a .jpeg, .png or .jpg format. Files submitted must be a minimum of 2 MB and a maximum of 10 MB. The finalists will be asked to submit a high-resolution file of at least 300 dpi.
  • Cropped photos are eligible in all categories. Minor adjustments, including spotting, dodging and burning, sharpening, contrast and slight color adjustment or the digital equivalents, are acceptable for all six categories. No altered images.
  • Entrants are prohibited from submitting entries that:
  • Contain material that is copyrighted, protected by trade secret or otherwise subject to third party proprietary rights, including privacy and publicity rights.
  • Contain material that is unlawful, obscene, defamatory, libelous, threatening, pornographic, harassing, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, give rise to civil liability, violate the law, or is otherwise inappropriate.
  • Publish falsehoods or misrepresentations that could damage IUSD.
  • Are in support of, or opposition to, any political candidate or ballot measure.
  • Contain religious messages or advocate or promote religious beliefs.
  • Advocate, promote or represent the sale or use of tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, firearms or weapons.

How To Enter

Submissions:

  • Online Google Form - Entrants may submit photos online through our Google Form.  You must have a Google or gmail account and be signed in to access the Google submission form. If you do not have a gmail or Google account, click here for directions to obtain a free account.   
  • Mail or In Person - Entrants may also submit high-quality photos on a flash drive by mail or in person to the IUSD District Office, attention IUSD Public Information Office:
    5050 Barranca Parkway
    Irvine, CA 92604

    Please note, entrants should not submit original or hardcopy photos by mail or in person, as IUSD cannot guarantee their return or that they will be scanned and entered in the contest.  High quality scanned photographs of the original non-digital photo are acceptable. For those submitting entries by mail or in person, click here for the downloadable PDF submission form. One (1) form per entry must be completed and submitted.

Photo Rights:

By entering the contest, entrants grant IUSD a royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any educational, promotional, publicity, exhibition, archival and all other standard IUSD purposes. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. IUSD will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

Entry Deadline:

All entries must be received through the online Google Form, by mail or in person by 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

Judging and Winners:

Judging will be conducted by the Public Information Office and will include representatives from the Superintendent’s Office and Education Services.  

  • In the ages 12 and above Photo Contest group, one (1) winner and two (2) runner ups will be selected from each of the six (6) categories listed above.   
  • In the ages 11 and under Photo Contest group, one (1) winner and (2) runner ups will be selected.

All winners and runner-ups will be announced the week of May 23, 2022. Decisions of the judges will be final.  

Category winners will be: recognized at a future Board of Education Meeting, have their photos displayed during the IUSD State of the District on October 19, 2022, their photos will be displayed long-term at the District Office, and photos will be posted on IUSD’s website and social media sites.

All photos submitted that meet the contest rules will be displayed by group and category on the District’s 50th anniversary webpage.  

Please do not contact IUSD about the status of entries. IUSD Public Information Office staff will notify contest winners and runner ups based on contact information submitted with photo entry.  Additionally, winning photos will be announced on the IUSD website and social media sites.