NBMHC Photography Contest

Emphasis on local content is required for this contest, with a clear connection to the community highlighted in the photo description. In recognition of North Bay’s 100th anniversary, photographers of all skill levels are invited to explore the profound relationship between architecture and the natural elements of air, water and land. 

Architecture is more than just the creation of structures — it is a dialogue between human ingenuity and the natural world. The built environment interacts with air, water, and land in profound ways, shaping and being shaped by the forces of nature.

This contest invites photographers to explore and capture these dynamic relationships, through the lens of time, showcasing how design and environment intersect to create meaningful and enduring spaces. It offers an opportunity to capture the unique ways in which architecture interacts with its environment.

Whether you focus on historic landmarks that have endured the elements for decades or contemporary designs that push the boundaries of sustainability, your photos should tell a compelling visual story about the connection between human-made structures and the natural world.

Entries will be accepted from two age groups.

1. Youth- 17 and under.
2. Adult 18 and older.

The contest will be launched on Feb. 28, 2025, and end on Oct. 14, 2025, at 4:00PM (“Submission Deadline”). Entries received after the Submission Deadline will not be considered.

All entries can be submitted to:

e-mailed to heritage@cityofnorthbay.ca.

or by regular mail to:

The Municipal Heritage Committee
The Corporation of the City of North Bay 200 McIntyre Street East
P.O. Box 360
North Bay, ON P1B 8H8

Contestants are required to submit the photograph with a completed Photograph Release Form. The Photograph Release Form is to include:

• The contestant’s personal and contact information including age.
•  Details regarding the photograph, including:
• The photograph title/caption.
• Location or address.
• Date and time.
• Photograph format (electronic or print).
• Image quality (black & white or colour).

Contestants must include a brief written explanation of their submission, highlighting its connection to the elements of air, water, and/or land. How does the photo illustrate the relationship between architecture, the environment, and the forces that shape our surroundings?

*Where the subject of the photo is a person, a Model Release Form will be required.

Photographs may be submitted either in print or electronic format such as a jpeg or png file. File size should be a minimum of 1MB.

The photograph must be taken within the municipal boundary limits of the City of North Bay.

A panel of judges will be appointed by MHC consisting of members of the MHC or their designates which may include citizens with photographic or heritage expertise, to form a judging panel subcommittee.

Adult (18 and older in 2025):

• 1st Place: $400
• 2nd Place: $150

Youth (17 and under in 2025):

• 1st Place: $400
• 2nd Place: $150

Winning photographs will be featured on the City of North Bay's website and social media platforms.  Tourism North Bay will also share through their social platforms and may use for future marketing of the City with proper credit provided. 

All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency.

Prizes must be accepted as awarded and are not transferable or convertible to cash. MHC reserves the right to substitute a prize or a prize component with one of equal or greater value. There is a limit of one (1) prize per winner in this contest.

For a photo in which a person is recognizable, you must secure a model release from the subject, or in the case of a minor, the subject’s parent or guardian and provide it to MHC upon request. A sample model release is available on the MHC's website, found here (or at www.cityofnorthbay.ca/heritage).

Entrants whose photos depict other people’s work (such as sculptures, statutes, paintings, and other copyrightable works) may need to obtain a release from the rights holder and provided it to MHC upon request. A sample art release is available on the MHC's website, found here (or at www.cityofnorthbay.ca/heritage). Photos that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright, are not eligible.

Photos that contact objectionable or inappropriate content, as determined by MHC in its sole discretion, are ineligible for this contest.

The contestant retains the rights in his or her photograph, however, by entering the contest, the contestant grants to MHC (and those authorized by MHC) a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive licence to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any MHC purposes, including but not limited to advertising and promotion in any media. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer’s credit as feasible. No person, partnership or corporation including but not limited to MHC and The Corporation of the City of North Bay will be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

A winner of the contest may be required to appear in publicity related to the contest, including but not limited to the City’s social media channels.

By entering the contest, the entrant or the entrant’s parent or guardian consents to MHC’s collection, use and disclosure of the entrant’s personal information for the purposes of administering the contest as described in these rules.

All entrants hold the prize sponsors, MHC, The Corporation of the City of North Bay, its Mayor, Councillors, directors, officers, employees, judges and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with the entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize.

The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries or other claims incurred as a result of the entrant’s participation in the contest or the winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect or failure in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft, destruction, or for anything or cause beyond their control.

The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received, on the application of judging criteria, and on the number of eligible votes received by each entry.

MHC may cancel, modify or suspend the contest or amend these Official Rules for any reason whatsoever. The entrant may not amend these Official Rules in any way.

The photograph, in its entirety, must be a single work of original material taken by the contestant. By entering the contest, the entrant represents, warrants and acknowledges that the submitted photograph is an original work created solely by the entrant, that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, right of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph. The contestant further represents and warrants that he or she has not used any form of editing software in order to alter or enhance the image as taken. The contestant further represents and warrants that the photograph must be taken within the municipal boundary limits of the City of North Bay.

Questions and inquiries about the contest rules can be emailed to heritage@cityofnorthbay.ca.