Photo Contest returns for fourth year to highlight beauty, events and fun in Minneapolis parks

Sign up NOW for free photography classes taught by National Camera Exchange instructor – first class offered Sat June 1

Take your best shot! The Picture a Park Photo Contest has returned for the fourth consecutive year.  New this summer, several free indoor and outdoor photography classes are being offered, with the first class from 10am-Noon this Saturday, June 1, at Nokomis Recreation Center.

Learn how to take better photographs using your SLR, point and shoot or cell phone camera. Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so visitwww.minneapolisparks.org/photocontest and register today! Future classes will be held June 22 at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, July 20 at Minnehaha Falls, and August 3 at the Rose Garden.

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), People for Parks (PFP) and National Camera Exchange, the Photo Contest is designed to highlight photos taken year-round in Minneapolis parks.

Contest Categories
• Beauty in the Parks – Capture the everyday beauty within the parks, including wildlife, historic sites and breathtaking views.
• Events in the Parks – Photograph a whimsical event or community celebration in Minneapolis Parks.
• Fun in the Parks – Document a fun park activity, such as a concert, movie, bike ride or picnic.
• Photos by Youth – Budding photographers age 17 and younger can submit photos of their favorite Minneapolis Parks in any of the three subject areas – beauty, fun, events.

The next time you’re walking around the Chain of Lakes, riding your bike around the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, attending an event in the parks or simply playing in a neighborhood park with friends, bring a camera and take a few photos. Photo contest entries can depict people, activities, events, nature and places in the Minneapolis Park System from any time of the year.

The contest is open to amateurs of all ages, Minneapolis residents and non-residents, with categories for both youth and adults. Photos must be unpublished, color, and taken within the Minneapolis Park System. Photographs from all seasons are encouraged and accepted. Photographers can submit up to three entries. There is no entry fee.

Prizes will be awarded for contest-winning photos, including gift certificates, Annual Patron Parking Permits, and water park and winter recreation passes. A public vote will take place online in September to choose among a selection of entries as the People’s Choice Award winner. Photo contest winners also have the opportunity to have their photo appear on the 2014 Annual Parking Permit, distributed to nearly 7,000 park patrons.

All photos and entry forms must be submitted online by Sept. 2, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. through the National Camera Exchange website at www.natcam.com.

Complete contest rules and guidelines as well as previous contest winning photos are available for viewing online at www.minneapolisparks.org/photocontest.