TACOMA PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
ANNUAL SPRING FAIR PHOTO CONTEST
APRIL 11-14 & 18-21, 2024
21st Anniversary

Each year the Tacoma Photographic Society invites local photographers to compete in the TPS Annual Spring Fair Photo Competition.  All entries are judged by local professional photographers and are displayed at the Washington State Spring Fair in April, located in Puyallup, WA.  This competition accepts printed images only.  Projected images and illustrations are not allowed.  All parts of the photos must be the sole work of the photographer and made in camera including images used for composites.  All editing must be done by the photographer.

Prize Awards:

The TPS reserves the right to make adjustments to the awards based on the number of photos and their subjects entered into each year's competition.

Note: This contest is not affiliated with or sanctioned by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) or NWCCC.

 Entry Requirements:

• Who Can Enter: Amateur Photographers who derive less than 50% of their income from photos.
• Category: Open to any subject. Please remember this is a family fair. Inappropriate subject matter will be disqualified (no nudes, violence, etc).
• Photos may be from film or digital, but must originate in the maker's camera or cell phone.  No vector images. Photos must be edited by the maker.
  
• NO FRAMES - A front mat frame is allowed.
• No canvas, acrylic or metal prints.
• No name and title may appear on the FRONT of the image or it will be disqualified.
• Photos entered in prior TPS Annual Spring Fair Photo Competitions are NOT eligible.
• Minimum size is 8” x 10” (not including the mat frame) & Maximum size of 16” x 20” (including the mat frame).
• Entry Fee: $10.00 per photo. If paying by check, make it payable to Tacoma Photographic Society and include it with your photos.
• Photos MUST BE mounted on a stiff backing (matboard, cardboard, etc.) in order to hang on the display rack.
• Photos MUST HAVE a title and the maker’s name, address, and phone number on the BACK UPPER RIGHT corner of each image.
• Photo Limit: You may enter up to five (5) prints per maker.
• Should your print become damaged during display, TPS may decide to remove your print from the exhibition. Ensure your print is rigidly attached to the backing and any front matboard is also rigidly attached.
• Entry Fee:  $10.00 per photo.  Make checks payable to Tacoma Photographic Society or TPS and include payment with your photos OR pay online with PayPal. 
• Be sure to include a copy of your PayPal receipt with your photos.
• Please type in all of your name and all image names in the PayPal order screen at the bottom.
  
  

Entry/Registration Brochure - To download the Entry/Registration Brochure, click here, OR click on the large brochure image below.  Please fill out the Entry/Registration form, and include two of the panels (that are labeled for return) in the envelope with your photos.

Personal Check - If you prefer to pay by check, make it payable to the Tacoma Photographic Society or TPS and it MUST BE INCLUDED in the envelope with your photos.

PayPal Payment - Pay for your photos through PayPal  (click on the PayPal logo at the bottom of this page) 

• There is a 5-photo limit at $10 per photo for a maximum total of $50
  
• The deadline for receiving your photos is Wednesday, March 20 no later than 5 pm.  Your check or PayPal receipt must be included with your photos.
• The Entry/Registration brochure must be included with your photos.

Delivery of Photos

• It is up to the entrant to ensure his or her photos are delivered to one of the following locations prior to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
• All photos must be enclosed in a package that will protect the photos from damage.
• All photos must have the name, address and phone number of the maker or designee clearly printed on the outside of the packaging.
• All photos must have a copy of the entry forms of all photos enclosed with the entries.
• If paying online, all photos must have a copy of the receipt of payment enclosed.
• If paying by check, check must be made payable to the Tacoma Photographic Society or TPS and enclosed with the photos.

Please check the business hours for these drop-off locations. Click on the blue business names below to go to their websites.

• Robis Lakewood Camera - drop off only 
  10015 Gravelly Lake Drive Southwest
  Lakewood, WA 98499
  20% discount for printing contest photos

• Speedy ePhoto - drop off only
  11702 Pacific Avenue
  Tacoma, WA 98444
  10% discount for printing contest photos
  
  
• Washington State Fair - Mail or drop off
  110 9th Avenue Southwest
  Puyallup, WA 98371
  
  
• Glazer’s Camera - drop off only
  811 Republican Street
  Seattle, WA 98109
  
  
• Kenmore Camera - drop off only
  6708 NE 101st Street
  Kenmore, WA 98028

You may also bring your photos to our monthly Projection or Print Competition meetings. 

• Projection meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of the month 6:30-9 pm at Curtis High School at 8425 40th Street, University Place, WA 98466.
• Print meetings are held on the 3rd Thursdays of the month 7-9 pm at the Waller Road Grange at 2708 East 64th Street, Tacoma.

Tacoma Photographic Society will make every effort to take care of your photos, however Tacoma Photographic Society will not take responsibility or liability for any photos which become lost or damaged at any time including while in transit, during judging, or during exhibition.

Return of Prints

Without your photos, there would not be a photo competition so we know you will understand that no photos will be released from the photo competition before Sunday, April 21.  You may pick up your photos (without paying admission) at the Fairgrounds, in the Showplex Building (west section) on Sunday, April 21, no earlier than 7:30 pm and no later than 7:55 pm. The building closes promptly at 8 pm with no exceptions.

To help our team get your photos ready for you, please include your return instructions on the entry form in your package with your photos.

If you prefer to have the Tacoma Photographic Society mail your photos back to you, please include a stout envelope/box with sufficient postage stamps, and a return address label addressed to you. NO CASH!

If you prefer to pick up your photos at the Fairgrounds, you may do so, without paying admission.  Go to the Showplex Building (west section) on Sunday April 21 between 7:30 pm & 7:45 pm.  The gates close promptly at 8 pm with no exceptions.  The address is: 110 9th Avenue Southwest, Puyallup, WA 98371.  You will not be allowed into the Fairgrounds before 7:30 pm free of charge.

Online Payment/PayPal