Photography Contest 

Service d'Animation Missionnaire
1. Purpose of the Contest
This contest aims to expand the SME's photo archive by promoting the creativity and photographic talent of participants and highlighting missionary values and pastoral activities.

2. Participants
The contest is open to individuals over 18 years of age. Members of the organizing committee are excluded.
The contest shall be declared null and void if fewer than ten (10) participants submit an entry.

3. Theme
Photographs must reflect the values of the SME, including solidarity, justice, spirituality, community service, international mission work, or pastoral activities conducted worldwide, provided these activities take place in countries where the SME is present.

4. Photograph Characteristics
  • Each participant may submit up to five (5) photographs, of which at least three (3) must be in horizontal orientation.
  • All photographs must be original, unpublished works. AI-generated images are strictly prohibited.
  • Submitted digital files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi and a minimum size of 3 MB.
  • Watermarks, signatures, logos, or any other identifying marks of the author are not permitted.
  • Only photographs taken between January 1st 2025, and the contest closing date shall be deemed eligible.

5. Submission of Photos
  • Photos must be sent to smequebec1921@gmail.com before the deadline (February 2nd, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time).
  • Each file must be named with the title of the work, the full name of the author, and must include a brief descriptive text in an attached Word or PDF document.
  • When submitting photos, participants must include a completed and signed registration form.


6. Copyright and Usage Rights
  • By participating in the contest, authors grant the Quebec Foreign Mission Society (SME) a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, and royalty-free license to use, reproduce, publish, display, communicate, and distribute the submitted photographs for purposes strictly related to the mission, pastoral activities, and institutional communication of the SME, in any media or format.
  • The author retains full copyright and moral rights over their work and may continue to use, publish, or license the photographs to third parties without restriction.
  • The SME commits to always credit the author when reasonably possible. 

7. Photographs with Recognizable People
  • If the photographs depict identifiable individuals, the author must obtain their explicit, written consent prior to submission.
  • For photographs featuring minors, a signed authorization from the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) is required.
  • The SME shall not be held liable for any failure to comply with this requirement; full responsibility rests solely with the participant.

8. Evaluation Criteria
Photos will be evaluated by a jury appointed by the SME, considering the following criteria:

  • Originality and creativity
  • Technical quality
  • Suitability to the proposed theme
The contest may be declared void if submitted works do not meet the requirements.

9. Prizes
The top three photographs will be awarded as follows:

  • First place: USD 800
  • Second place: USD 500
  • Third place: USD 250
Opening date: December 3rd, 2025
Closing date: February 2nd, 2026

Winners will be announced on March 15th 2026 through the SME website and social media channels.

Prizes will be delivered according to the most appropriate method depending on the winner’s place of residence (e.g., in person, by mail, or electronically).

10. Acceptance of the Rules
Participation implies full acceptance of these rules, as well as the final and binding decisions of the jury. The SME reserves the right to adjudicate and resolve any unforeseen situations not expressly contemplated herein.

For any questions, please contact smequebec1921@gmail.com