If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please drop the Via Colori Event Manager an email at:

 lbenitez@centerhearingandspeech.org and she'll be happy to get you the information you need.

Q: Is this contest only open to professional photographers?
A: Definitely not. The contest is open to everyone, no matter your experience level. Because the jury process is anonymous, every photo selected to appear in the contest will be judged based on how good it is, not on who took it.

Q: What is the minimum resolution photo you’ll accept?
A: You will submit a low resolution file when you enter (no larger than 300K, maximum of 1,000 pixels on the longest side). BUT, if you are selected, you will be required to provide a minimum of 1600×2000 ppi; maximum of 2400×3000 ppi. This will ensure we have a high enough resolution for an 8″×10″print.

Q: Does it matter if my photos are B&W or color?
A: Absolutely not.

Q: If I am selected will I need to print and/or frame my image(s)?
A: No, we will handle the printing and framing.

Q: I am interested in participating but do not want my work to be auctioned off. Is it possible to submit photos but not have to participate in the auction?
A: Houston Via Colori is an annual fundraising event for The Center for Hearing and Speech, a non-profit organization that helps children with hearing impairments learn to listen, speak and read. The photography contest is part of the fundraising efforts and if your photo(s) is(are) selected, it(they) will be auctioned off as part of the continued fundraising efforts. If this is a problem for you, we ask that you do not participate in the contest.

Q: Will I receive any money from the auction?
A: As stated above, Houston Via Colori is part of the fundraising efforts for The Center for Hearing and Speech. With that in mind, none of the auction proceeds will go to you, but rest assured they will be going to a wonderful cause and supporting a wonderful Houston organization!

Q: Do my photos have to have been taken at the Houston Via Colori 2011 festival? Can I submit photos from past Houston Via Colori festivals?
A: All photo submissions must be from the Houston Via Colori 2011 Festival. We are thrilled you have joined us in the past but our focus is on this year’s festival, so please don’t submit photos from past festivals. The festival is always different so come out to this year’s event and see all the new street paintings and new activities we have added!

Q: Does The Center for Hearing and Speech claim any rights to use my photos for any other purpose than display in the contest?
A: Once the jury makes its selections, winning photos will be used in materials promoting the Houston Via Colori Street Painting Festival. By entering the contest, you give The Center for Hearing and Speech the right to display your photo(s) for purposes of a future auction, the right to auction the photos for fundraising purposes, and the right to use the images in future marketing materials. Beyond that, you retain full copyright to and ownership of your photo, and in all applicable circumstances you will receive credit when your photo is used.

Q: Can a photographer have more than one winning photo in the contest?
A: Yes, it could happen. The jurors won’t know what photos belong to which photographer. They’ll be judging based on the photo itself, so it is possible that a single photographer could end up with more than one photo among the winning images.

Q:  Where does my entry fee go?
A: It all goes back to The Center for Hearing and Speech / Houston Via Colori for general expenses related to the Houston Via Colori Photography Contest: printing and framing of the images.

Q: I paid for a Very Important Photographer early bird entrance. Can I bring my friends/family with me or is it just for the photographer?
A: If anyone in your family or if any of your friends intends to enter the contest, please have them pay for their own Very Important Photographer Early Bird entrance. If not, you may bring up to 2 children and 1 adult on your early-entrance pass.

To find out more, head over and read our RULES, our OVERVIEW and check out the ENTRY FORM.