Terms and Conditions

The Sublime Photo Awards is a prestigious international competition celebrating photographers’ artistry, skill, and passion worldwide. Established in 2023, our goal is to recognize and showcase outstanding photographic talent across a diverse range of genres and styles.

These terms and conditions (“Terms”) govern your participation in the international photography competition (“Competition”) organized by Sublime Photo Awards (“Organizer”). By entering the Competition, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

Any reference to the “Entrant”, “you'” or “your” includes you in your capacity as the original creator of the photograph entered into the Competition.

You agree to be bound by these Terms when you complete your entry application.

Please direct any questions about these Terms to the Awards Organizers at contact@sublimephotoawards.com

Terms and Conditions

1. Definitions

Entry Fees: fees associated with submitting entries to the Competition.
Categories: the distinct award categories offered by Sublime Photo Awards.
Winners: individuals selected and acknowledged as receiving an award or prize.
Entrant: the person named in the Competition application who is referred to as “YOU” in their personal capacity.
Awards: refers to the cash prizes and recognition awards granted to winners.

2. Purpose

The Sublime Photo Awards aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding photographic talent by offering awards and recognition to deserving entrants across various categories, including:

▪︎ Monetary Awards;
▪︎ Recognition Awards;
▪︎ Individual Certificates and Badges.

3. Access and Content

3.1. Some images on this website may not be appropriate for viewers under 18 years of age. If you are under 18, you are advised to exit the webpage immediately.

3.2. Certain images on this website may be sensitive or delicate to some cultures. Viewer discretion is advised. Examples of Inappropriate and Sensitive Content Include:

▪︎ Nude or explicit images;
▪︎ Documentary images depicting sensitive topics;
▪︎ Images containing depictions of people that may be considered culturally sensitive;
▪︎ Documentary images covering sensitive culture or social topics.

4. Eligibility

4.1. The Sublime Photo Awards welcomes professional and amateur photographers to participate in the Competition.

4.2. Entrants must be individuals aged 18 years and over at the time of entry.

4.3. Employees of Sublime and individuals serving as judges for the Competition are not eligible to enter.

4.4. Participation is open to photographers from any country worldwide, except for residents of the following States (Prohibited Jurisdictions) where it is prohibited by law to hold photography contests:

a. Maryland;
b. Colorado;
c. Nebraska;
d. North Dakota; and
e. Vermont.

Arizona entrants

4.5. In Arizona, contests involving the purchase of a product for entry must be registered with the state’s Attorney General. Therefore, residents of Arizona may participate in the Competition but are limited to the free entry option.

4.6. Sublime Photo Awards acknowledges the legal restrictions in certain jurisdictions and declares that the Competition is void where prohibited by law.

4.7. This includes the US states mentioned above and other areas where local laws prohibit or restrict participation in photography contests.

Free entry options

4.8. To ensure compliance with legal regulations, Sublime offers a free entry option for all entrants.
4.9. Each photographer can submit one photo in one, two, or three categories at no cost.

Prohibited Jurisdictions

4.10. Any attempt by persons from prohibited jurisdictions to apply or pay for additional photo entries is strictly prohibited and illegal.
4.11. The Awards organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entrant who fails to meet the eligibility criteria.

5. Entry Fees

5.1. Upon submission of your entry, you will be required to pay the following Fees:

Single Photo Entry

a. Eligible entrants may submit one photo in one, two, or three categories free of charge.
b. Single photo entries are not eligible for cash prizes.

Multiple Photo Entries

Final Deadline – December 10, 2024

a. Entrants may submit 2 photos for an entry fee of US$18, 3 photos for US$24, 4 photos for US$31, 8 photos for US$43 or 12 photos for US$55.
b. Entrants wishing to enter additional categories must pay US$5 for each category. No more than 3 categories are accepted for each photo.

5.2. Entries will be considered submitted only upon payment of the required entry fees.

Payment

5.3. Payment of Competition Administration Fees may be made online via a secure payment portal on the Website using Stripe or PayPal.
5.4. Entrants will receive a confirmation email upon successful payment.

Refund policy

5.5. Participants will only be eligible for a refund in the event of Force Majeure circumstances where the competition may be cancelled.
5.6. In all other cases, the fee is non-refundable.

6. Entry Requirements

Online Submission Portal

6.1. Entrants must upload their entries exclusively through the official competition website at www.sublimephotoawards.com to participate in the Sublime Photo Awards.

Submission Guidelines

6.2. Images must adhere to the following specifications:

▪︎ Color space: sRGB, 8-bit
▪︎ Maximum file size: 4 MB per file
▪︎ Longest side: 3000 pixels
▪︎ File format: JPG
▪︎ No watermarks, logos, copyright information, or signatures should be present on the images.
▪︎ Photographs should be borderless, except for Polaroids and specific techniques where borders are integral to the message.
▪︎ Both film and digital photography are accepted.
▪︎ Computer-generated images (AI or other technologies) are not permitted.

6.3. Failure to meet these requirements will result in disqualification.

Approved Devices

6.4. All devices capable of taking photographs are accepted in any category, including analog cameras, digital cameras, drones, cell phones, and scanners.
6.5. We encourage freedom and experimentation in capturing images.
6.6. Please note that highly experimental photos are best suited for the Creative category.

Digital Manipulation

6.7. Digital manipulation is allowed, including the removal of elements from the photo.
6.8. Adding elements, photoshop-type effects and HDR are allowed only in the Creative category.
6.9. Entrants must specify the level of editing when uploading their images.

File Naming Convention

6.10. File names should follow this format: Last name + First name / Category / Photo title.
6.11. Use the slash character (/) to separate elements.
6.12. Avoid using symbols or spaces such as @, #, or % in file names.
6.13. Use English letters and numbers only.

Photograph Date

6.14. All submitted photos must have been taken within four years before the final submission deadline.

Previous Submissions

6.15. Images that have won prizes in other competitions or submitted to other competitions are eligible for submission.
6.16. Both published and unpublished work is accepted.
6.17. While previously submitted work is allowed, new work is encouraged to promote creativity and fresh ideas.
6.18. Photographs that have been awarded grand prizes or honorable mentions in previous editions of the Sublime Photography Awards will not be accepted for consideration in the current or any future editions of the awards.

7. Categories

7.1. The Sublime Photo Awards offers nine (9) award categories. The categories are listed and explained on the website.

You understand and agree

7.2. Photographers are allowed to submit the same photo to one, two, or three categories. However, they may not submit the photo to more than three categories.
7.3. Photos that do not explicitly fit a category will be disqualified.
7.4. A fee applies for each category entered.

8. Awards

Monetary Awards

8.1. Cash prizes are awarded as follows:

▪︎ US $500 for the first-place grand prize winner.
▪︎ US $300 for the second-place grand prize winner
▪︎ US $200 for the third-place grand prize winner.

8.2. Cash prizes will be paid in USD via PayPal.
8.3. Any fees incurred for foreign currency transfers will be deducted from the winning amount.
8.4. There are no alternative prizes available for winners.
8.5. Winners are responsible for paying taxes based on their country’s laws.

Recognition Awards

8.6. Each category will have 10 “honorable mentions”.
8.7. Sublime will publish the Grand Prize Winner’s details on their social media channels at their convenience, without a defined time.

8.8. Both grand prize winners and honorable mentions will receive:
▪︎ An individual certificate.
▪︎ A badge identifying their place (First place, Second place, Third place, or Honourable Mention).

8.9. Entrants uploading only one photo will be eligible for recognition awards only. They could achieve:
▪︎ Honorable mentions (without cash prizes).
▪︎ Inclusion in Sublime’s winner gallery.
▪︎ An individual certificate.
▪︎ Social media exposure on Instagram.
▪︎ An Honorable Mention badge.

8.10. Photographers uploading two or more photos (paid entries):

▪︎ Grand prizes (with cash prizes) or Honorable Mentions.
▪︎ Inclusion in Sublime’s winner gallery.
▪︎ An individual certificate.
▪︎ Social media exposure on Instagram.
▪︎ Either a Grand Prize badge or an Honorable Mention badge.

Pre-Selection Stage.

8.11. Instructions on providing original/native high-resolution files will be provided to confirm the submission.

Judging Criteria

8.13. Sublime Photo Awards employs a rigorous judging process conducted over several weeks by a distinguished panel of experts worldwide.
8.14. Each entry is rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the lowest score and 10 the highest.
8.15. Scores are tallied, and winners are selected based on the overall score derived from the cumulative votes of the jury.
8.16. To maintain impartiality and fairness, all photographers’ identities are concealed from the jury during the evaluation process.
8.17. The judges are instructed to assess each photograph based on the following criteria:

▪︎ Relevance to Category
▪︎ Technical Ability
▪︎ Level of Composition
▪︎ Message
▪︎ Creativity
▪︎ Overall Impact

8.18. In the event of a tie between two or more photographs, the jury will conduct a re-evaluation, assigning each entry a score from 1 to 100 to determine the winner.
8.19. You understand and agree the scores obtained through the survey and judging process are final. Results cannot be reassessed or debated.

Disqualification Criteria

8.20. Sublime Photo Awards reserves the right to disqualify any entry without prior notice under the following circumstances:

▪︎ Plagiarism or Copyright Infringement;
▪︎ Inappropriate Content; and
▪︎ Violation of Terms and Conditions;
▪︎ Photos depicting harmed or manipulated animals;
▪︎ Photos with commercial content promoting products or services not affiliated with Sublime Photo Awards;
▪︎ Photos generated through AI or other technologies; and
▪︎ Photos containing personally identifiable information.

8.21. Sublime Photo Awards and its affiliated entities assume no responsibility for materials submitted violating competition rules or copyright regulations.
8.22. Sublime Photo Awards will investigate claims of copyright infringement. They will remove and disqualify submissions found to violate copyright and/or Competition terms and policies to maintain the integrity of the Competition.
8.23. Sublime Photo Awards is not liable for any damages resulting from images submitted violating rules and regulations.

Award timeline

8.24. Winners of the Sublime competition (grand winners and honourable mentions) will be announced nine (9) weeks after the final submission deadline.
8.25. Notification of winning status will be emailed to the email addresses in the entry form.
8.26. Additionally, winners will be publicly announced on the Sublime website and Sublime’s communication channels.
8.27. If a winner cannot be reached within 21 days from the time notification was sent and fails to return all required information in a timely manner, they will forfeit the monetary prize.
8.28. However, the winners will retain the social recognition award, which includes recognition on social media platforms and the Sublime website, along with an individual certificate and badge.
8.29. The monetary prize will be added to the prize pool for the next edition of the Sublime Competition.

9. Entrant responsibilities

As an Entrant, there are certain expectations and undertakings required of you, including but not limited to the following, and you agree to:

Publicity and promotion

9.1. To participate in award events and related activities, if applicable without any remuneration being due.
9.2. To grant permission for publicity, endorsements, and promotional appearances related to the Sublime Competition without any remuneration being due.
9.3. Allow the use of photos for promotional purposes without any remuneration being due.
9.4. Share the award(s) on your social media account.

Digital file submission

9.5. You understand and agree

i. Winning entrants must supply a high-resolution digital file (minimum 2500px on the longest side @300dpi).
ii. Original RAW file (or files) must be supplied upon request
iii. The original file will solely be used to verify image ownership.
iv. Failure to meet these eligibility criteria will disqualify winning entrants without the option to appeal.

9.6. Excellent photos may be published on the Sublime Photo Awards website (sublimephotoawards.com) or social media accounts.
9.7. Provide a photo (photographer) and appropriate copy for publication on the Sublime Photo Awards webpage or social media accounts.

10. Intellectual Property

You understand and agree

10.1. All intellectual property rights related to the Sublime Photo Awards, including the information and data we collect, belong to the Sublime Photo Awards.
10.2. While you own the intellectual property of photos you enter into the Competition, you assign, including by way of a present assignment and assignment of all rights that may arise in the future, all intellectual property rights related to any materials that arise in relation to your participation in the Sublime Photo Awards.

Award promotions

You understand and agree

10.3. The Sublime Photo Awards may use your public information in any way in any material that promotes the Awards.
10.4. To allow the Competition Organisers to contact you to provide comments about the Awards, take photos or video footage of you, your photos, and your representative(s), and use any of the material collected as part of your participation.
10.5. If we use any of the materials listed above, you grant us a royalty-free, perpetual and irrevocable licence to use the materials for promotional purposes.
10.6. This allows us to share your photo on our Website, social media, and any other marketing platform.

11. Amendment and Termination

11.1. We reserve the right to amend or terminate the Competition due to technical issues or any other causes beyond the technical team’s control.
11.2. If such a situation arises, participants will be notified via email unless the technical issue prevents it.
11.3. In such cases, or if email notification is not feasible, Sublime Photo Awards will also provide notification via its webpage or social media channels.
11.4. In the event of amendment or termination, all application fees will be refunded to participants.

12. Privacy

12.1. As part of your participation in the Awards, we collect personal information from entrants when they register for the Competition or submit entries. This information may include:

▪︎ Name and last name;
▪︎ Email address;
▪︎ Contact details.

12.2. Our Privacy Policy manages any personal information you provide at https://sublimephotoawards.com/privacy-policy/
12.3. By submitting your entry and participating in the Competition, you consent to use your information to administer the Awards, send you marketing material, and invite you to be part of our initiatives, including case studies, polls/surveys, and to improve our services without any remuneration being due.
12.4. If you want to access or correct the personal information we hold about you or wish to withdraw your consent to receive Awards, please contact the Award Organizers at contact@sublimephotoawards.com

13. General conditions

13.1. We reserve the right, at any time and in our sole discretion to

a. request entrants to provide proof of identity and/or proof of valid entry.
b. disqualify any entrant we have reason to believe has breached any of these terms and conditions or
c. disqualify any entrant engaged in any unlawful or other improper conduct or any conduct calculated to jeopardize the fair and proper conduct of the Awards process.

Entries

13.2. Entries are accepted at the time of receipt by us.
13.3. We will not be held liable for any entries not received for any reason during the application period.

Award items – certificates / trophies

13.4. We are not liable for any Award item that may be lost, stolen, forged, damaged or tampered with in any way after it leaves our possession.

14. Force Majeure events (events outside our control)

14.1. A Force Majeure is an event outside our control that delays or hinders our ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
14.2. A Force Majeure includes but is not limited to fire, flood, earthquake or similar natural disasters, riot, war, terrorism, civil strife, labor disputes or disturbances, industry-wide material or services shortages outside our reasonable control, an outbreak of pandemic disease, governmental regulations, communication, technology or utility failures, computer virus or unauthorized tampering.

14.3. Sublime Photo Awards shall not be deemed in breach of this Agreement for delay in performing, or failure to perform, any of its obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure results from Force Majeure events.
14.4. Upon the occurrence of any Force Majeure Event, Sublime Photo Awards shall give notice to Entrants of its inability to perform or of delay in completing the Awards Services and shall propose revisions to the schedule for completion of the Services or termination services and this Agreement where it is determined that performance is not possible because of the duration of effect of the Force Majeure event.

15. Limitation of Liability

15.1. Sublime Photo Awards strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information on the Site. However, we make no warranties or representations regarding its accuracy, correctness, reliability, or completeness. Sublime assumes no liability or responsibility for any omissions or errors in the content, including typographical and technical errors.
15.2. We are not liable for any damages or losses arising from entrants’ use of the Website, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages. The Website is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including but not limited to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
15.3. We are not responsible for incorrect, inaccurate, or incomplete information caused by users or technical issues. This includes technical failures, such as lost network connections or computer malfunctions.

15.4. We aim for 24/7 Site availability but aren’t liable for downtime. It doesn’t guarantee uninterrupted access or virus-free services.
15.5. Entrants agree to fully indemnify Sublime with respect to all royalties, fees, and any other monies owed to any person by reason of breaching any terms and conditions outlined herein.
15.6. To the extent permitted by law, we are not liable for any loss (including indirect and consequential loss) or damage or personal injury suffered or sustained in connection with the Awards, including the supply of goods or services by any person to the Competition winners, and where applicable to any persons accompanying the Award winners.
15.7. We and our media partners assume no responsibility and are not liable for any misuse of images by external third parties.
15.8. You will indemnify us and our officers, employees or agents against any loss or liability from any claim or action arising from a breach of these terms by you or your use of the materials or information supplied by you under these Terms.

16. Governing Law

16.1. These Terms shall be governed by and construed under the laws of Chile without regard to its conflict of law principles.

17. Severability

17.1. If any provision of these terms and conditions is found invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
17.2. Any provision’s invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect or impair the validity, legality, or enforceability of any other provision.
17.3. If any provision is determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to replace such provision with a valid, legal, and enforceable provision that fully reflects the original intent of the parties.
17.4. These severability terms shall apply to all entrants, irrespective of their geographical location, in the photography competition.

Thank you for reading these Terms and Conditions. By proceeding with your Entry application, you are deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these terms.

Welcome to the Sublime Photo Awards.

Best of luck with your entry.