1. ELIGIBILITY
All photographers aged 18 and older are eligible to participate. Employees of Aerial Media and their immediate family members are not eligible.
2. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- All photos must be original work created by the submitting photographer
- Images must be in JPEG, PNG, or WebP format
- Maximum file size: 50MB
- Minimum resolution: 2000 pixels on the longest edge
- No watermarks, signatures, or borders allowed
- Basic post-processing (exposure, contrast, color correction) is permitted
- No AI-generated or AI-altered images are allowed
- Composites, sky replacements, or adding/removing elements are not permitted
3. LEGAL & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
- All images must be captured legally and safely
- Must comply with all local laws and regulations in your country
- Photos taken in restricted areas or violating local laws are not permitted
- No identifiable persons without their written consent
- Wildlife photos must be taken ethically without disturbing animals or their habitat
4. DRONE REGULATIONS
Entrants using drone or aerial photography equipment must comply with all applicable regulations in their country, including but not limited to:
- FAA regulations (United States)
- CAA regulations (United Kingdom)
- EASA regulations (European Union)
- Local permits and authorizations where required
Failure to comply with applicable drone regulations will result in immediate disqualification.
5. SUBMISSION LIMITS
- Maximum 3 entries per photographer per contest
- The same image cannot be submitted to multiple contests
- Previously winning images from any Aerial Media contest are not eligible
6. RIGHTS AND USAGE
- Photographers retain full copyright of their images
- By entering, you grant Aerial Media a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to share and feature your image for promotional purposes, including social media, website, and marketing materials
- Full photographer credit will always be given when images are used
- Winning images may be featured in our gallery and publications
7. JUDGING CRITERIA
Photos will be judged on:
- Technical Excellence (30%): Focus, exposure, composition, image quality
- Creativity & Artistry (35%): Originality, artistic vision, storytelling
- Overall Impact (35%): Emotional response, memorability, wow factor
8. JUDGING PROCESS
- All entries will be reviewed by our panel of professional photographers
- Judging decisions are final and not subject to appeal
- Winners will be notified via email within 7 days of judging completion
9. DISQUALIFICATION
Entries may be disqualified for:
- Violation of any contest rules
- Submission of images not owned by the entrant
- Providing false information
- Any form of cheating or manipulation
- Use of AI generation or AI alteration tools
- Use of composites, sky replacements, or unauthorized element removal/addition
- Non-compliance with applicable drone or aviation regulations
10. GENERAL CONDITIONS
- Aerial Media reserves the right to modify contest rules at any time
- In case of technical issues, Aerial Media is not responsible for lost or corrupted submissions
- By entering, participants agree to all terms and conditions