RULES / GUIDELINES
A) DEADLINE for submitting entries: Feb. 21st, 2026 (11:59pm EDT)
B) All participants depicted in submitted images must be 18 years of age or older at the time the photos are taken.
C) The theme of this contest is ZOMBIE PIN-UP. Photos should depict a zombie pin-up, drawing inspiration from pin-up aesthetics while allowing for modern, dark, campy, or creative interpretations. Traditional pin-ups are all about teasing, and so no nudity is allowed in this contest. Participants are free to show as much skin as they want but are asked to honor the “no nudity” request (nudity = visible nipples or genitalia). Any entries showing nudity will not be accepted.
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D) Entering this contest requires two actions:
1. Complete the Google Contest Entry Form HERE.
2. Email images to AfterDarkRVA@gmail.com with subject heading "Zombie Pin-Up Entry" with name of model in the email which should match name on the Google Contest Entry Form.
E) Contest entries should consist of NO LESS than 2 and NO MORE than 4 high-res photos (different poses and/or settings, .jpg preferred):
— VERIFICATION PHOTO: One photo must show contestant holding either a handwritten “Richmond Zombie Pin-Up Contest” letter-sized sign OR they must be holding a phone or tablet that has “Richmond Zombie Pin-Up Contest” on the screen. The contest name must be clearly legible in this verification photo. This required verification photo qualifies each entry as being authentic and created specifically for this contest.
— The verification photo does count toward the total number of submitted images.
— One photo must be VERTICAL (excludes Verification photo).
— Additional photos (optional, up to 4 max. total) are at the discretion of the contestant and/or photographer.
— Each photo must either be in a different setting and/or pose (i.e. don’t submit 3 photos that look basically the same).
F) Images must be less than 8MB (each) and sent as high-resolution – do not over-compress your images.
G) When naming image files for contest submission, please try to include the first and last name of the model within the name of the file to make sure we associate the correct images with your Google Contest Entry Form (Example: bobbyjones_1.jpg, bobbyjones_2.jpg, bobbyjones_3.jpg).
H) Post-photo editing (i.e. Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.) is allowed on images (but not required).
I) A.I.-generated or A.I.-assisted images are not permitted. This includes images created entirely by prompts or altered using generative A.I. tools.
J) Basic photo adjustments such as color correction, cropping, and exposure balancing are acceptable. Manual retouching, compositing, or prop additions performed by a human are permitted; generative or prompt-based A.I. alterations are not.
K) Photographer credits/watermarks are allowed on the images (but not required). If photographer credits are used on the image we do ask that they be minimal so as not to overtake entry images.
L) Photographers can submit numerous entries if the models/participants are DIFFERENT. Each contestant must be submitted separately.
M) WINNERS (Three Separate Contests):
— “Online Favorite” which will be voted on online from Feb. 23rd, 2026 until March 5th, 2026 (11:59pm EDT). Winners will be announced a short while afterwards.
— “People’s Choice” will be decided via in-person vote during Richmond’s ZOMBIE BASH the evening of Feb. 27th, 2026, hosted at Fallout RVA. NOTE: Attendance by contest entrants is not required but encouraged. If attending the ZOMBIE BASH, dressing as a Zombie Pin-Up is not required.
— “Juried Contest” will be voted on by a panel of three qualified judges.
— Entries may be eligible to win more than one contest.
N) Previous modeling or photo experience is NOT required so don’t let that hold you back if you are a novice.
O) The undead come in all forms — every size, shape, gender, identity, and background is welcome to participate — as long as they are 18 years of age or older at the time the photos are taken! Contestants can either work with other people OR they can do everything themselves if they so desire.
P) Photos taken with cell phones or tablets are acceptable in addition to traditional cameras. Submitted images should not exceed the stated file size limit of 8MB (each)
Q) Although this contest is called the "Richmond" Zombie Pin-Up Contest organizers do not limit entries to just residents of Richmond, Virginia and therefore do not ask for proof of residency. That being said, contest organizers invite anyone in any location to participate.
R) Markster Con reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not adhere to these rules or that is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or inconsistent with the spirit of the contest.
S) Markster Con reserves the right to resize or crop images for display purposes without altering the integrity of the original image.
T) RIGHTS, USAGE & PERMISSIONS:
By submitting images to the Richmond ZOMBIE PIN-UP Contest, the entrant confirms that they are the creator of the submitted images or have obtained all necessary rights and permissions from the photographer, model(s), and any other parties depicted. The entrant grants Markster Con and its affiliates a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to reproduce, display, publish, distribute, and promote the submitted images, in whole or in part, for purposes related to this contest, associated events, promotional materials, social media, websites, printed materials, and future Zombie Pin-Up–related projects. Image credits will be given where provided. Submitted images will not be sold to unrelated third parties without additional consent. Markster Con may adapt submitted images for formatting purposes (such as cropping or resizing) without altering the integrity of the original image.
U) QUESTIONS? Please use our CONTACT PAGE.