The Park County Travel Council is urging photographers and videographers — both amateur and professional — to help tell the story of Park County’s natural beauty and outdoor recreation potential.

This is an effort to get beyond the recognized scenic corridors and showcase both the road less traveled and the outdoor experiences waiting there.

It’s more than a request to photographers to share their images of Park County. There’s the possibility of reward in the amount of $250 to $500 when the travel council selects a photo or short video for its inventory highlighting destinations in the county.

Money for the photo fees — up to $10,000 — comes from funds allocated to Wyoming by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). The $2.2 trillion relief package was passed by Congress in March of 2020, with Wyoming receiving  $1.25 billion. The Wyoming Legislature and the governor’s office have administered the distribution of funds in several rounds.   

Specifically, the $10,000 pool to pay for photographs in Park County comes from $5 million of CARES Act funds allocated to the Wyoming Office of Tourism to stimulate the tourism economy.

In this case, the travel council is not turning to vendor agencies to develop creative marketing advertising. The aim is to gather the photos as local creative and pay for them as if they were paying an agency.

Ryan Hauck, executive director of the PCTC, emphasizes that the call for photos and offer of a fee does not mean that $10,000 will be paid out. This is not a contest with photo winners to be named and paid in multiple divisions — and the concept is compliant with CARES guidelines.

“The $10,000 is the max I am willing to spend on this program,” Hauck said.

In the world of national advertising agency creativity, this effort could be the bargain of the year, but it will depend on local photographers and videographers participating.

Photo submissions will be accepted until Oct. 29. The last CARES Act dollar in this round needs be spent by Dec. 20.