Traveling Stories inaugural photo fundraiser!
Welcome to our first photo fundraiser! If you’re not familiar with Traveling Stories, we’re a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in San Diego that helps children build confidence and strong reading skills. Our Virtual StoryTent program matches children in 1st-3rd grade with trained reading mentors for weekly one-on-one reading sessions via video. Our goal is to help children build the skills they need to be able to achieve their dreams!
Why is a literacy nonprofit doing a pet photo contest?
The truth is, at Traveling Stories, we love our pets as much as we love reading! Often we even read with our pets!
We know we’re not alone and we’d love to see cute pictures of your pets!
Participating in our photo contest is easy. Just submit a favorite photo of your pet interacting with books (feel free to get creative!). Then get your family and friends to vote for your pet's picture.
All photo entries with at least 15 votes will receive a free copy of the 2024 calendar via mail in the beginning of 2024!
How many votes do I need to have my pet featured on a month spread in the calendar?
- The top vote-getter from each category (dogs, cats and other pets) will win a featured month spread in the 2024 calendar and get to pick their month.
- All other entries that meet eligibility requirements and have at least 5 votes will be considered for inclusion in the calendar!
Reserve a Day to Honor Your Pet
Just want a guaranteed spot in the calendar? Reserve a day to honor your pet. This can be for your pet's adoption anniversary, birthday, loved one's birthday, memorial or really any special day! Your pet's photo will appear on the day of your choice. Just choose your favorite photo and then choose the day and pay! First come first served! Once a date has been reserved, it will no longer be available.
Reserve Your Day Here →Prizes
GRAND PRIZE // Top vote-getter
- Gets a month in the 2024 calendar and 1st choice of which month
- Original photo entry will be turned into a Traveling Stories sticker and 100+ stickers will be distributed to children who participate in the Virtual StoryTent in 2024
- Original photo entry will be featured on the Traveling Stories website
- 4 tickets to 2023 Walk for Literacy Event happening October 7, 2023 in San Diego
- Special prize for you and your pet provided by Kahoots Feed & Pet Stores (Grossmont location)
Judge’s Choice
- Gets the 2024 calendar cover and a month in the 2024 calendar
- Original photo entry will be turned into a Traveling Stories sticker and 100+ stickers will be distributed to children who participate in the Virtual StoryTent in 2024
- Original photo entry will be featured on the Traveling Stories website
- 4 tickets to 2023 Walk for Literacy Event happening October 7, 2023 in San Diego
- Special Traveling Stories logo prize sent to your home.
- Special prize for you and your pet provided by Kahoots Feed & Pet Stores (Rancho San Diego location)
1st place in each category (dog, cat and other pets)
- Gets a month in the 2024 calendar
- Get their choice of month
- Original photo entry will be featured on the Traveling Stories website
- 2 tickets to Walk for Literacy event happening October 7, 2023 in San Diego
- Special Traveling Stories logo prize sent to your home.
Runner-up in each category (dog, cat and other pets)
- Get a month in the calendar
- Original photo entry will be featured on the Traveling Stories website.
- Special Traveling Stories logo prize sent to your home.
Top 5 vote-getters in each category (dog, cat and other pets)
- Get featured in a month in the 2024 calendar as part of a collage with up to 3 other pet photos
- Original photo entry will be featured on the Traveling Stories website
All entrants with 15 or more votes will receive a 2024 calendar by mail in fall 2023.
Prizes are not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash.
- Photos of dogs, cats, horses, small mammals, reptiles and birds are accepted
- Photos must contain some element related to reading or books - feel free to get creative!
- Photos may contain more than one pet
- Photos must be high-resolution (300 dpi or greater) and be in landscape (horizontal) format to be considered for a month spread in the calendar
- Photos must only contain domestic pets (no people or wildlife)
- Photos must be full-color and not heavily filtered, edited or altered
- Photos with professional photographer watermarks will not be eligible to be included in the calendar
- Photos deemed offensive, indecent or obscene will be removed from the contest
- Photos must receive at least 5 votes to be included in the 2024 calendar
- All online photo entries must be submitted by 8:00:00 PM (Pacific Time) on Friday, June 16, 2023.
- All photos submitted become the property of Traveling Stories
Tips for taking great photos:
- Shoot horizontally! To be considered for a month spread, hold your phone sideways and set your camera to the highest resolution possible.
- Set the scene and follow the theme! Make sure to incorporate books or reading into your picture.
- Clear Photos Only - Most cell phones can take “bursts” or “live” photos which captures several photos quickly. Select the clearest photo if your pet is in motion.
- Lighting - Indoor daytime light is best near a window. Outdoor light is best in the shade. Turn off your flash to avoid a “red-eye” effect.
- Don’t be shy! The best thing about digital photos is you can take several shots. That way you can select the very best representation of your pet.
- Control the focus. Tap the screen where you want the focus to be. You can adjust the exposure (how bright or dark it is) using the level icon.
- No people or wildlife. We want to see your pets! Please don’t include people or wildlife in the photos.