THE  APPLE OF YOUR EYE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

The year-long competition is meant to highlight the Creative Core region through the eyes of those who love it. The “Apple of Your Eye” photography contest challenges people to explore the character and places they value in this region:  Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, and Tompkins Counties.

Each month will have a different theme associated with it.  At the end of the month, a single image from the pool of submissions will be selected as the image of the month winner.

Monthly Image Categories are as Follows:

June: The Best Downtown in the Region - show us the best of our cities,
         towns and villages.

July: Water - 25% of the world’s fresh water is here. How do you enjoy this
         great natural resource?

August: People - Show us the Creative Core in action….people out
             enjoying, using the region’s assets.

September: The Best of Fall - Capture what it is about this season that
                    makes our region so great?

October: The Creative Side - What art is there in our communities? How
              do people enjoy it?

November: Family Time - How do families enjoy the lifestyle and
                  amenities this region provides?

December: All Lit Up - Show us your favorite holiday scenes. Lights,
                  shopping, ice skating.

January: Hard at Work - Who are the people and businesses that make
               our communities thrive?

February: Winter Adventure - How do you enjoy our snowy months?

March: Sporting Season - Help us highlight the region’s athletes and
            events. All seasons welcome.

April: Appreciating Nature - We have some of the best landscapes. Show
          us what you love.

May: Spring in Bloom - How do people in the region enjoy the first warm
        days of the year?

Each winning Image of the Month will:

-be awarded a $50.00 prize;

-appear in our monthly newsletter or e-blast, received by hundreds of Creative Core supporters;

-appear as that month’s image in an annual calendar; and

-be highlighted on the Creative Core V-tour and on our social networks.

Entry Requirements:

Participation in the competition is open to the public. If you live, work, visit or dream here, this is your opportunity to capture what makes this region beautiful and special to you! Entrants do not have to currently live in the Central Upstate New York region (Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, and Tompkins Counties). However, all images submitted must be original work and must be taken within the region. Photographs entered in the contest will be judged on their artistic expression, creativity and originality and the quality of the image.

Submissions to the competition are due by the 29th of each month. This is a digital photography competition. All Images must be submitted in J.peg form (at least 300dpi) to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please include the photographer’s full name, contact information, the date the image was taken, the name(s) of any people, places or businesses who appears in the image, and the location (city/county) where the image was taken. Please also include a brief description of why you choose to spotlight that part of NY’s Creative Core. For a complete list of rules and to learn more about the photography competition visit: www.creativecoreny.com

Please include the photographer’s full name, contact information, the date the image was taken, the name(s) of any people, places or businesses who appears in the image, and the location (city/county) where the image was taken. Please also include a brief description of why you choose to spotlight that part of NY’s Creative Core. For a complete list of rules and to learn more about the photography competition visit: www.creativecoreny.com

By submitting an image, the photographer/submitter is providing a nonexclusive perpetual license to the Central Upstate Regional Alliance (Alliance) for use and distribution of the image in any manner the Alliance sees fit. If requested, the photographer/submitter agrees to take all actions and execute and deliver all documents necessary to evidence said license. Photographer/submitter warrants that he or she is the sole owner of all rights to the work (including but not limited to all rights reserved under copyright law); and that the work is completely original.

All images must be taken within the 12 county footprint of the region. The 12 county region is defined as: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence, and Tompkins Counties.

There will be no monetary award or compensation for the submission of these works with the exception of the single winning image that is selected monthly. There will be no monetary award or compensation for the assignment of rights. Each month a single work, from the pool of works submitted for that month, will be announced as the “Image of the Month” and will be promoted as the Central Upstate Regional Alliance and CreativeCoreNY.com see fit. However any submitted work, including those not selected as the “Image of the Month” may or may not be further used or distributed by the Alliance, its members and/or its partners. The Alliance’s sole obligation is to include the name of the photographer/submitter in conjunction with the caption, locator and distribution of the image. Failure to meet this obligation will result in no damages of any kind. Photographer/submitter’s sole remedy is a good-faith correction of the Alliance’s failure.

About NY’s Creative Core: What makes this region uniquely appealing is that we are a place that is real, smart and easy. NY’s Creative Core is a place where opportunity, lifestyle and creativity converge. It’s a place of unique history and rich culture. It’s a recreational paradise with an abundance of lakes, rivers, mountains and streams. It’s a place where green isn’t just the color that surrounds you, it’s a way of life. In short, we are truly a region that combines the necessary elements to spark and nurture our growth. By being a part of a strong regional image, you can grow your company and share in this region’s success. Become a Creative Core partner today. Visit the Partner page at www.creativecoreny.com.

About the Central Upstate Regional Alliance: The Central Upstate Regional Alliance is a 42 member partnership formed to promote and market the region’s assets and to retain and attract business and talent. The 12 County partnership includes: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence and Tompkins Counties.