ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST AT THE CORAL GABLES MUSEUM
CENTENNIAL EDITION


Elena by Victor Jaramillo. Grand Prize Winner 2023
The Coral Gables Museum is excited to announce Capture Coral Gables: Centennial Edition, our celebrated annual photography competition, marking the 100th anniversary of our cherished city!
This special edition invites photographers that are 18 years old and older, of all skill levels and backgrounds, to showcase the beauty and spirit of The City Beautiful. Submissions are open until Sunday, March 16th, 2025, at 11:59 PM, and participants can submit up to ten images across one or more of six categories.
We look forward to celebrating this historic edition with you! Share your vision and be part of Coral Gables’ centennial celebration!
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Rules and Regulations
Submissions for Capture Coral Gables 2025 are open through March 9, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. By submitting an entry, applicants agree to the Contest Official Rules and acknowledge that submissions cannot be modified once entered.
Photographs must fit into one of the 2025 contest categories. A jury of photography experts will select 25 finalists from the first five categories to have their works printed, framed, and exhibited in the gallery. An additional 25 finalists from the Social Media category will be featured digitally during the show.
All photographs must be taken within the city boundaries of Coral Gables, FL. Images must be less than one year old and must not have been previously exhibited or awarded in Coral Gables.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions must be in digital format only (no prints or slides).
- At the time of submission, please send a 150 DPI, JPEG, PNG, or TIFF file no more than 5 MB.
- File name format: last name_first name_CONTEST CATEGORY (e.g., Smith_Annie_URBANLIFE).
If selected as a Finalist, you will be requested to send a high-resolution version of your photograph to be printed and framed by the Museum.
This is a condition of participation, so we suggest you have it ready when you submit your application.
The image should be:
- Format: TIFF
- Image size: the smaller side not less than 16″ and the larger side not more than 20″.
- Maximum file size: 100 MB.
- Resolution: 300 DPI
- Color Mode: Adobe RGB (1998)
A $10 submission fee is required for each entry. Once accepted, the Coral Gables Museum will handle the printing and framing of the selected photographs for exhibition.
Limitation of Liability
By entering the contest, participants release Coral Gables Museum and its affiliates from any claims or damages related to their participation. The Museum assumes no responsibility for technical errors, submission issues, or unauthorized access that may affect entries.
Participants agree to accept the jury’s decisions as final and binding. The Museum reserves the right to use winning photographs and entrants’ names, likenesses, or voices in promotional materials without compensation.
Right to Cancel or Suspend
The Coral Gables Museum reserves the right to cancel or suspend the contest or exhibition at any time.
Contest Categories
CENTENNIAL TREASURES: Explore and showcase the timeless beauty and enduring legacy of objects, structures, and entities that have stood the test of time and reached the remarkable milestone of 100 years. This category invites participants to capture the essence of centenarian items, whether it’s historic buildings, antique artifacts, ancient trees, or any other century-old treasures that tell a story of resilience and history.
CURIOUS GABLES: Dive into the fascinating facts and little-known stories that make Coral Gables unique. Capture images that reveal the quirky and intriguing aspects of The City Beautiful, unveiling the rich tapestry of its past and present. From historic landmarks to fun urban legends, let your lens uncover the hidden tales of Coral Gables.
CULTURAL FUSION: Capture the vibrant blend of cultural influences in Coral Gables through its people, culinary delights, artistic expression, lively festivals, and community gatherings. This category invites you to highlight the rich tapestry of traditions and experiences that make Coral Gables a unique and colorful mosaic.
GABLES OF THE FUTURE: Find the aspects of Coral Gables that speak to its innovation and future evolution. This category invites participants to capture their creative interpretations of the city’s future, whether through conceptual photography, digital art, or visionary depictions. From futuristic architecture and sustainable living solutions to advanced technology and community advancements, let your imagination run wild and showcase the forward-thinking spirit of The City Beautiful.
AI MEMORIES OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL: Capture your cherished memories of Coral Gables by utilizing an online Artificial Intelligence (AI) app to bring them to life. Whether it’s a childhood moment, a memorable visit, or a special event, let AI reimagine and recreate these moments for a unique and nostalgic portrayal of The City Beautiful.
TRUE CORAL GABLES (SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO): Unveil the unwritten rules that define life in Coral Gables. Use your cell phone camera to capture the unique aspects, insider knowledge, and everyday nuances only locals truly understand. Showcase the essence of what it means to be a part of The City Beautiful!
*** To be accepted for the competition, photographs in this category are to be submitted like the others, through our website AND ALSO published by you on your social media, tagging the Museum (@CoralGablesMuseum) and accompanied by the following hashtags #CaptureCoralGables & #CoralGablesCentennial.
Coral Gables Map
Notifying Finalists
Applicants will be notified both via email and telephone within 1-2 weeks after the submission deadline. For this purpose, Museum staff will use the contact information entered by the applicants in the entry form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide a working email address and phone number to be contacted.
Finalists will be asked to send a full-resolution copy of the selected photograph so that it can be professionally printed and framed by the Museum. The photograph must be in TIFF format, with the smaller side not less than 16″ and the larger side not more than 20″. The resolution must be 300 DPI, Color Mode: Adobe RGB (1998), and the maximum file size allowed is 100 MB.
*Even when you will be asked to send a low-resolution image at the time of your application, you should have this high-resolution version ready as a condition for participation in the exhibition, if selected as a finalist.
After the exhibition, participants are asked to coordinate the pick-up of their printed photographs with the Exhibitions Department. The frames remain the property of the Museum.
Key Dates:
- March 9th, 2025, at 11:59 PM – Last day to receive applications
- Monday, March 17th, 2025 – Finalists will be notified via email.
- Friday, April 18th, 2025 6:00 – 8:00 pm – VIP Reception and Awards Ceremony
- Friday, April 18 – Sunday, June 15, 2025 – Exhibition Dates
- Monday, June 9th, 2025 – The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced via social media.
The Jury Process
The Capture Coral Gables’ Jury consists of a group of selected professionals who represent a broad spectrum of the photographic world. They review the entries and grant the following prizes:
- Grand Prize (Jurors’ Pick)
- Winner in the Category of CENTENNIAL TREASURES
- Winner in the Category of CURIOUS GABLES
- Winner in the Category of CULTURAL FUSION
- Winner in the Category of GABLES OF THE FUTURE
- Winner in the Category of AI MEMORIES OF THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
- Winner in the Category of TRUE CORAL GABLES (SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTO)
An eighth prize (People’s Choice Award) is voted by the public online and is announced at the Closing Reception of the show.
All finalists are invited to participate in the exhibition and are eligible to win the different prizes.
AWARDS CEREMONY AND PRIZES
Prize winners are announced at the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony. This event is fully advertised by the Museum and is free and open to the public. The People’s Choice Award is announced at the Closing Reception of the exhibition.
Prizes
GRAND PRIX
This prize will be awarded to the photograph that excels in creativity and technical sharpness. All finalists are being considered, regardless of the category they applied for. Additionally, this prize will be featured in the Coral Gables Museum’s Time Capsule, set to be opened in 2050.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
This prize is being voted online by the public and will be announced at the Closing Reception of the show.
PRIZES INCLUDE:
- A feature in a group exhibition at the Coral Gables Museum.
- A swag bag packed with incredible surprises!