Photography & Artwork Guidelines

Digital images may be submitted in either 8 bit TIFF (uncompressed) or JPG.  Please do not upsize. A good guideline for resolution is 8 x 12 inches @ 300 dpi (uncropped) or 2400 x 3600 pixels.

Each image needs to contain a caption (description of place, action, and identification of identifiable people and wildlife… common names are fine). Also fill out the creditline or copyright in the IPTC so the magazine knows how you would like to be credited next to your image (i.e. © Your Name or Your Company Name or Your Website, etc.).

It is a good idea to have some contact information in the metadata filled out (at least Creator and Email). Photographs of a location (such as a state park) should evoke a sense of place. Photos should show an intelligent selection of subject and time of day.  The magazine is looking for images that evoke emotion and wonder in our readers, both about their personal surroundings and Texas as a whole.

The magazine is publishes general views, details and portraits of people or wildlife.  Animals need to be from Texas and in Texas locations with a few exceptions (i.e. rare or endangered species or Texas species with a background that can’t be identified as non-Texan). No pictures of dead or mounted animals, please.

Contributors can send their files via digital transfer.  Images can be downloaded to the TPWD secure File Sharing system (Access is through a temporary link we send you via email). They can also be sent via dropbox or lightbox. Other methods include online large file transfers via services like WeTransfer, Hightail or FileSender. Images can also be sent via mail on CD/DVD or thumb drives (they will not be returned).

Front cover: $500

Wraparound and gatefold: $400

Other covers: $250

Inside color — rate per individual picture

More than a full page: $180

Three-quarters to a full page: $165

One-half to three-quarters of a page: $125

Less than one-half to a quarter of a page: $80

Less than a quarter of a page: $40

The magazine retains possession of color separations for all photos and art published. No original separations leave the magazine, but duplicates are available at cost. Occasionally, other publications request the use of Texas Parks & Wildlife separations. No freelance material will be released without the permission of the contributor, but it will be the responsibility of the contributor to arrange for compensation from the requesting publication.

Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine will exercise care in the handling of all material received, but the department will not be responsible for loss or damage.