Suggested Searches

Wallops 80th Anniversary
Amateur Photography Contest

Theme: View from the Shore: NASA Wallops Turns 80

In celebration of NASA Wallops Flight Facility’s 80th Anniversary, we invite amateur photographers (18 years of age and older) to participate in a photo contest capturing the spirit, science, and scenery of Wallops. Show us your unique perspective!

Submission Form

An oyster catcher on the shore at Wallops Island.
An oyster catcher on the shore at Wallops Island.
NASA/Danielle Johnson

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
  • Winners Announced and Online Gallery Launch: October, 2025

Eligibility

  • Open to adults 18 years of age and older in the United States and U.S. Territories.
  • Adults must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to receive prizes.
  • Amateur photographers only (defined as earning less than 20% of total income from photography).

Photo Guidelines

  • One entry per photographer is allowed.
  • All photos must be taken from public property; no access to restricted areas is permitted.
  • Submit a brief description of where the photo was taken.
  • Cropping and resizing are allowed; however, color manipulation, filters, or adding/removing elements are not permitted.
  • High resolution required: 300 DPI minimum (typically 3 MB or larger) to ensure print quality.
  • Photographer must be the sole copyright owner; photos must be submitted by the original creator.
  • Entries must not infringe on any third-party rights.
  • Photos containing identifiable people will not be accepted.
  • Photos that violate NASA Wallops regulations, depict unsafe acts, or are deemed inappropriate or obscene will be disqualified.
  • All submitted photos become the property of NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) and may be used in future promotions, marketing, and outreach, with photo credit always given to the photographer.

How to Submit

The contest and registration are free, but all participants must submit their entries online. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on September 30, 2025.

  • Entries must be submitted by the original creator.
  • Complete the online entry form and upload your photo.
  • Upload a high-resolution digital copy of your photo along with a brief description.
  • Incomplete entries will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified.

Judging

NASA WFF subject matter experts will select the top submissions from each theme’s category to determine which pieces will be awarded First Place, Second Place, Third Place, and Honorable Mention in each theme category. One winner will also be selected in the Wallops Employee Choice Award and Wallops Employee Award categories.

Theme Categories

  1. Wallops Wildlife & Nature – Showcase local flora, fauna, and landscapes.
  2. Eyes on the Sky – Capture celestial events or rocket trails from public viewing areas.
  3. Coastal NASA – Explore the intersection of science and the sea.
  4. Everyday Wallops – Depict the local culture and community’s connection to NASA.
  5. Historic Reflections – Creative interpretations of Wallops’ legacy.
  6. Science in Motion – Abstract or dynamic representations of movement and discovery.

One entry from the First-Place winners will be selected as Grand Prize.

Notification of winners will be made as soon as possible. Subject matter experts from NASA WFF will oversee all judging.

Awards

A grand-prize winner will be selected from the First-Place winners. First place, Second place, Third place, and Honorable Mention winners will be selected for each theme category. One winner will also be selected in the Wallops Employee Choice Award and Wallops Employee categories. Fulfillment of all prizes is subject to mission and operational activities.

Grand Prize

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

First Place

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

Second Place

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

Third Place

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

Honorable Mention

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

Wallops Employee Choice Award

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

Wallops Employee Category

  • Certificate
  • NASA Exploration Package (posters, pens, stickers, patches, and lapel pins)

OPSEC & Safety Guidelines

  • DO NOT photograph from inside secure or restricted areas.
  • DO NOT include classified materials, computer screens, or employee badges.
  • DO NOT display license plates or sensitive infrastructure.
  • DO get creative with public spaces — beaches, trails, and skies are excellent subjects!

Important Notes

Authenticity

By submitting your entry, you certify that the submission is your own original work and does not infringe upon any third-party rights. Copyright infringement is a serious matter. By signing the entry form, you confirm that your submission is authentic and created solely by you.

Ownership & Usage

All submitted photographs remain the property of the photographer. However, by entering, participants grant NASA Wallops permission to use the photograph for promotional, exhibition, and online purposes with proper credit. NASA reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the contest at its sole discretion.

Disqualification

Entries that fail to meet any of the outlined requirements or include prohibited markings (e.g., signatures, watermarks, text) will be disqualified.

Submission Terms & Agreement

When submitting a photograph, you must agree to the following terms and conditions. They have been listed here for your convenience, but are also available for review when you submit a photograph.

I certify that the photograph was taken by the Applicant indicated, and was not copied from another work, photograph, illustration or website,nor made by another. I represent that this submission does not infringe any third party intellectual property rights, nor does it contain any material that is defamatory, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate. I understand that the photograph will become the property of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I give permission to NASA to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publish, distribute copies to the public, perform publicly, and display publicly the submission, including text and illustrations, and any ancillary material, including but not limited to, Applicant’s name and any photographs and/or videos containing the Applicant’s image and/or voice, for all purposes deemed appropriate by NASA. NASA may distribute the submission through a variety of media, including but not limited to print, television, websites, or any other means. NASA may also permit a third party to exercise NASA’s rights, including but not limited to the right to display or distribute the submission in a manner NASA deems appropriate.

I understand that my submission may be eligible for appearance at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and other locations if selected, but that no further compensation of any kind will be paid by NASA or any of its authorized third parties to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publish, distribute, perform publicly and/or display publicly the submission, any ancillary material, or contestants information, image or voice as provided for in this agreement. I hereby unconditionally release NASA, its employees, NASA’s contractors and their employees, and NASA representatives from any and all claims and demands arising out of the activities authorized under this agreement.

I certify I am at least 18 years of age and have read the foregoing Official Rules and fully understand and agree to the contents.

NASA Wallops Flight Facility 80th Anniversary Amateur Photography Contest Submission Form

This contest is open to adults 18 years of age and older in the United States and U.S. Territories. Adults must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to receive prizes. Amateur photographers only (defined as earning less than 20% of total income from photography).
Category Theme (Please select on category)(Required)
Are you a Wallops Flight Facility Employee? (This includes civil servants, contractors, tenants, and partners)(Required)
I certify I am at least 18 years of age and have read the foregoing Official Rules and fully understand and agree to the submission terms and agreements.(Required)
Submission Terms & Agreements When submitting a photograph, you must agree to the following terms and conditions. They have been listed here for your convenience, but are also available for review when you submit a photograph. I certify that the photograph was taken by the Applicant indicated, and was not copied from another work, photograph, illustration or website, nor made by another. I represent that this submission does not infringe any third party intellectual property rights, nor does it contain any material that is defamatory, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate. I understand that the photograph will become the property of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I give permission to NASA to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publish, distribute copies to the public, perform publicly, and display publicly the submission, including text and illustrations, and any ancillary material, including but not limited to, Applicant’s name, age, and any photographs and/or videos containing the Applicant’s image and/or voice, for all purposes deemed appropriate by NASA. NASA may distribute the submission through a variety of media, including but not limited to print, television, websites, or any other means. NASA may also permit a third party to exercise NASA’s rights, including but not limited to the right to display or distribute the submission in a manner NASA deems appropriate.  I understand that my submission may be eligible for appearance at NASA Wallops Flight Facility and other locations if selected, but that no further compensation of any kind will be paid by NASA or any of its authorized third parties to use, reproduce, prepare derivative works, publish, distribute, perform publicly and/or display publicly the submission, any ancillary material, or student information, image or voice as provided for in this agreement. I hereby unconditionally release NASA, its employees, NASA’s contractors and their employees, and NASA representatives from any and all claims and demands arising out of the activities authorized under this agreement.    I certify I am at least 18 years of age and have read the foregoing Official Rules and fully understand and agree to the contents. The contest and registration are free, but all participants must register starting June 16, 2025. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on July 21, 2025. 
Max. file size: 4 GB.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.