Photography Showcase 2026

1. Organiser

The Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase is organised by Cumbria Connect as part of Lakes Deer Fest, taking place at Rheged on Saturday 10 October 2026.

The showcase celebrates the many stories of Red and Roe Deer in Cumbria and invites photographers to share images exploring the relationship between deer, people and place.

2. Entry

• Entry is free.
• Entries open on 30 July 2026
• Entries close at 12 noon on Monday 14 September 2026.
• Late entries cannot be accepted.
• Each entrant may submit a maximum of five photographs.
• Each photograph may only be entered once.

3. Eligibility

• The showcase is open to photographers of all ages and abilities.
• Photographs must have been taken in Cumbria.
• Images may have been taken at any time.
• Entrants may submit up to five images.
• Entries should feature Red Deer, Roe Deer or themes directly connected with deer and their relationship with Cumbria’s landscapes, wildlife and communities.
• Entrants must own the copyright to every image submitted.

5. Image requirements

Images should be submitted as:

• High-resolution JPEG files
• Minimum 3,000 pixels on the longest edge where possible
• No watermark or added graphics

Photographs should be an honest representation of the scene and must be suitable for public exhibition.

4. Artificial intelligence

The Lake Deer Fest Photography Showcase celebrates authentic photography. Images created wholly or substantially using generative artificial intelligence (AI) are not eligible.

Basic adjustments such as cropping, exposure, colour correction, sharpening, noise reduction and similar adjustments is permitted, including AI-assisted editing tools that do not alter the factual content of the photograph.

The organisers reserve the right to request the original images file if required to verify authenticity.

6. How to enter

To enter the Photography Showcase:

• Complete the online Entry Form
• Upload your photographs using the official WeTransfer link.

For each photograph, entrants must provide:

• Photographer’s name
• Email address
• Image title
• Category
• Location in Cumbria
• Year taken (where known)
• Caption (maximum 100 words)

Photographs should be submitted as high-quality JPEG (.jpg) files and named using the following format:

Surname_Firstinitial_ImageNumber_ImageName.jpg

For example:

Smith_J_01_AutumnStag.jpg

The image number and name should correspond with the photograph information provided in the Entry Form.

Where identifiable people appear in the image, entrants confirm they have the appropriate permission to submit the photograph.

7. Wildlife Welfare

Wildlife should never be disturbed, harassed or intentionally stressed to obtain a photograph. The organisers reserve the right to remove any image believed to have been obtained through irresponsible or illegal practices.

8. Selection

The Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase is a curated exhibition. An independent panel will select photographs for exhibition. The judges’ decision regarding image selection is final.

9. Public voting

Shortlisted photographs will be published online before Lakes Deer Fest and displayed during the festival. Members of the public will be invited to vote online and at the festival. The combined public vote will determine the recipient of the People’s Choice Award.

10. Awards

Judge’s Favourite

A Wild Haweswater Wildlife Photography Hide Experience with Wild Intrigue, kindly supported by the RSPB.

People’s Choice

A signed advance copy of Forty Fells by David Felton and Tom McNally. Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.

11. Copyright and image use

Photographers retain full copyright of all images submitted. By entering the Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase, entrants grant Cumbria Connect a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use submitted photographs for the purpose of administering, exhibiting and promoting the Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase and Lakes Deer Fest.

Selected images may be used:

• In the Lakes Deer Fest Photography Showcase and public exhibition.
• On the Cumbria Connect and Lakes Deer Fest websites.
• Across Cumbria Connect and Lakes Deer Fest social media channels.
• In press releases and media publicity.
• In printed and digital marketing materials promoting the Photography Showcase and Lakes Deer Fest.

Photographers will be credited wherever reasonably practicable.

Images will not be sold, licensed to third parties or used for commercial advertising unrelated to Cumbria Connect or Lakes Deer Fest without the photographer’s prior permission.

12. Personal Data

Entries will be submitted via a completed Google Submission form and uploading the images using a secure WeTransfer upload.

Personal information submitted will be used by Cumbria Connect for the administration of the Photography Showcase and to contact entrants about their submission, exhibition or awards.

Information will be handled in accordance with UK data protection legislation and in accordance with Cumbria Connect’s Privacy Policy.

13. Acceptance

Submission of an entry confirms acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

The organisers reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions where reasonably necessary.