2026 Community Calendar Photography Contest

Promotional image for the 2026 Community Calendar Photography Contest featuring a beach sunset scene.

Submit Your Best Shots!

Calling all Dana Point resident photographers! Capture the beauty, character, people, events, and scenic views that represent life in Dana Point! This is your chance to showcase your talent and share what makes Dana Point special through your lens.

Winning photos will be featured in the official 2026 City Community Calendar!

Eligibility

  • Open to Dana Point residents of all ages. All photographs must be taken within the City of Dana Point limits.

Submission Guidelines

  • Photo Format:
    • Must be in landscape orientation
    • Size: 8.5” x 11”
    • Resolution: 300 dpi (minimum)
    • File format: JPEG or PNG
  • Original Work:
    • Submissions must be original photographs taken by the entrant. AI-generated images are not permitted. Minor editing such as cropping, color correction, filters, or retouching (e.g., Photoshop) is allowed, but the integrity of the original photo must be maintained.
    • No copyrighted material unless the entrant owns all rights.
    • Entrants must sign waiver and disclaimer agreeing that the City of Dana Point may use submitted photographs royalty-free for promotional, print, digital, and social media purposes, including, but not limited to the City Calendar, website, and publications with photographer credit.
  • Subject Matter:
    • Photos must depict Dana Point’s people, events, landscapes, architecture, wildlife, or coastal scenes.
    • No commercial logos, watermarks, or added text allowed.
  • Number of Entries:
    • Each entrant may submit up to 3 photos.
  • How to Submit:
    • Submit entries by emailing econdev@danapoint.org.
    • Include with each submission:
      • Subject: 2026 Community Calendar Submission - NAME
      • Photographer’s full name (and parent name if a minor)
      • Contact information (phone number and email address)
      • Photo location (address or recognizable landmark)
      • Brief description (Max 3 sentences)

Deadline

  • All entries must be submitted by September 26, 2025 at 5:30pm.

Judging & Selection

  • Judging will be based on:
    • Relevance to Dana Point
    • Visual impact and composition
    • Creativity and originality
    • Technical quality
  • A panel of City staff and Arts & Culture Ambassadors will make final selections. 
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