Official Rules

2027 Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar Contest

Presented by Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio

 

The 2027 Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar Contest celebrates the beauty, wildlife, recreation, and community that make Candlewood Lake one of Connecticut's most treasured destinations. We invite photographers of all skill levels to share their favorite moments and help create the official 2027 Candlewood Lake Calendar.

 

By entering this contest, you agree to the following Official Rules.

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1. Sponsor

The 2027 Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar Contest is presented by Candlewood Lake Media Group in partnership with Candlewood Lake Radio.

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2. Eligibility

The contest is open to amateur and professional photographers of all ages.

Participants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to enter.

There is no residency requirement. However, all submitted photographs must have been taken on or around Candlewood Lake, Connecticut.

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3. Contest Timeline

Submission Period

Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Public Voting

Public voting will take place from October 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026.

Winner Announcement

Winners will be announced on November 2, 2026 through the Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio websites and social media platforms.

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4. Entry Fee

There is no fee to enter this contest.

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5. Submission Requirements

Each submitted photograph must:

• Be the original work of the person submitting it.

• Have been taken on or around Candlewood Lake, Connecticut.

• Be submitted as a high-resolution JPG, JPEG, or PNG file.

• Be suitable for professional print production.

• Not contain watermarks, logos, borders, or text.

Each photographer may submit up to FIVE (5) photographs during the contest period. 

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6. Photo Categories

Photographs may include, but are not limited to:

• Landscapes

• Sunrise & Sunset

• Wildlife

• Birds

• Boating

• Fishing

• Watersports

• Seasonal Beauty

• Community Events

• Waterfront Living

• Weather

• Recreation

• Local Landmarks

• Hidden Gems

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7. Editing Guidelines

Basic editing is encouraged and may include:

• Cropping

• Exposure adjustments

• Color correction

• Contrast adjustments

• Sharpening

• Minor cleanup

 

The following are not permitted:

• AI-generated images

• Images created primarily using artificial intelligence

• Fake or digitally created scenes

• Major additions or removal of objects that significantly alter the authenticity of the photograph

• Misleading composites that are not clearly disclosed

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8. Drone Photography

Drone photographs are welcome.

Participants are responsible for complying with all applicable FAA regulations and local, state, and federal laws.

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9. Copyright

Photographers retain full ownership and copyright of all submitted photographs.

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10. License to Use Submitted Images

By entering the contest, you grant Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:

• Display submitted photographs during the contest.

• Publish selected photographs in the official 2027 Candlewood Lake Calendar.

• Display submitted and winning photographs on the Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio websites.

• Share photographs across social media platforms for contest promotion and winner announcements.

• Use submitted photographs in future promotional materials relating to the Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar and this contest.

Photographers retain full ownership and copyright of their photographs at all times.

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11. Photographer Credit

Photographer credit will be provided whenever reasonably possible in the printed calendar, website, social media, online gallery, and promotional materials.

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12. Prizes

The winning photographers whose photographs are selected for inclusion in the 2027 Candlewood Lake Calendar will receive:

• Publication in the official 2027 Candlewood Lake Calendar

• Photographer credit with their published photograph

• Recognition on Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio's websites and social media platforms

• One (1) complimentary copy of the official 2027 Candlewood Lake Calendar

Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash.

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13. Public Voting

Beginning October 1, 2026, eligible photographs will be displayed in an online gallery for public voting.

Each voter may submit one (1) ballot using a valid email address or authenticated account.

Each ballot may vote for up to thirteen (13) favorite photographs.

Any attempt to manipulate the voting process, including but not limited to fake accounts, bots, automated software, purchased votes, duplicate voting, or other fraudulent methods, may result in immediate disqualification of the photographer and removal of associated votes.

Candlewood Lake Media Group reserves the right to investigate suspicious voting activity and remove fraudulent votes at its sole discretion.

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14. Winner Selection

Winning photographs will be determined by verified public voting.

The calendar will feature one (1) cover photograph and twelve (12) monthly featured photographs.

While public voting determines the winning entries, Candlewood Lake Media Group reserves the right to determine photograph placement within the calendar, including selection of the cover image.

If multiple top-voted photographs are substantially similar in subject, season, location, or composition, Candlewood Lake Media Group reserves the right to select an alternate photograph in order to produce a balanced calendar that represents the many aspects of Candlewood Lake throughout the year.

All contest decisions are final.

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15. People and Private Property

If recognizable individuals appear in a submitted photograph, the photographer is responsible for obtaining any permissions required by law.

Photographers are also responsible for ensuring they had permission to photograph private property where required.

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16. Disqualification

Entries may be disqualified if they:

• Are not original.

• Infringe upon another person's copyright or intellectual property.

• Contain offensive, defamatory, or unlawful content.

• Were created primarily using artificial intelligence.

• Include false or misleading information.

• Attempt to manipulate the public voting process.

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17. Limitation of Liability

Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio are not responsible for lost, delayed, incomplete, corrupted, or inaccessible submissions due to technical issues or circumstances beyond their control.

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18. Right to Modify or Cancel

Candlewood Lake Media Group reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the contest if unforeseen circumstances affect the fairness, security, or integrity of the competition.

Any updates will be posted on the official contest webpage.

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19. Privacy

Personal information collected during the contest will be used solely to administer the contest, communicate with participants, announce winners, and promote the Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar Contest.

Personal information will never be sold or shared with third parties except as necessary to administer the contest.

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20. Agreement

By submitting a photograph, you certify that:

• You are the photographer and copyright owner of the submitted image(s).

• The information you provided is accurate.

• You have read and agree to these Official Rules.

• You grant Candlewood Lake Media Group and Candlewood Lake Radio the rights described in these rules.

• You understand that submission does not guarantee selection for publication.

• You understand that all decisions regarding eligibility, voting, and calendar selection are final.

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Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the 2027 Candlewood Lake Photo Calendar Contest, please contact us.

Candlewood Lake Media Group

Email: candlewoodlakemedia@gmail.com

Website: www.candlewoodlakemedia.com

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We look forward to seeing Candlewood Lake through your lens and wish you the best of luck!