World's Greatest Pools
Contest Criteria & Submission Forms
Contest Criteria
To qualify for consideration, PebbleTec pool builders must meet all submission requirements. Please read our requirements to ensure your submission is eligible for the contest in one or more of following categories:
Residential Pools Photos
a.) Large/Standard and
b.) Small/Play Pool
Commercial Pool Photos
Video
No Duplicate Photos
(ONE photo or video per project, no duplicate photos of the same pool taken at different angles.)
Submit Only High-Quality Photography & Videography:
Photos & Videos must meet ALL requirements listed below. Click heading for details.
Contest-winning photographers offer these tips on how to take a great photo.
- DO take daytime photos: Photographs taken during the day are highly preferred to capture vibrant water colors.
- Avoid cloudy or overcast days.
- Early morning and late afternoon may provide the most dramatic light.
- Early twilight photographs can add drama to an image with unique lighting and an evening sky. However, these types of shots do require long exposures and the mandatory use of a tripod.
- DO NOT take late night photos: Avoid shooting late at night, as pool lights become more intense and distort the natural beauty of the water color.
- Camera settings: Shoot in RAW mode, use a low ISO setting (200 or less) and set the camera’s aperture to f/11 – f/13.
- Camera lens: Use a wide-angle or ultra wide-angle lens (14-24mm) and capture the ENTIRE pool and deck in the image.
- Camera height: Shooting from 6 to 7 feet in the air is preferred.
- Pool features: Turn waterfalls and spillways on and check to make sure pool furniture is not askew.
REMINDER: Do not submit photos with an ORIGINAL image size less than 6,000 pixels wide by 4,000 pixels high.
- Image size: Photos must have a native, ORIGINAL size of 6000 pixels wide by 4000 pixels high (Ask your photographer for the RAW, original files.)
- Image resizing: Photos increased with Photoshop or other software will not be accepted.
- High-quality images: Images must be taken by a professional photographer with a 24MP (or larger) DSLR camera (tripod recommended).
- Image format: All photos must be in landscape format(not portrait) and RGB mode (no CMYK files).
- Clear the pool: Photos must not include any people. Do not submit photos that show calcium stains, puddles on the deck, pool cleaning equipment, hoses, brushes, toys, worn-out furniture, or any landscape debris in the pool or on the deck.
- PebbleTec products: Photos must feature pools created using Pebble Technology International finishes. (Including PTI Fire & Water or Lightstreams Tiles is a bonus.)
- Avoid smartphone photos: Apple, Android, Google, etc. photos ARE NOT RECOMMENDED. The only images that might be considered are those provided in the original native 48MP (or larger) RAW/DNG file format.
- Copyright permission: Make sure that either: (1) you are the copyright owner of the photograph, or (2) if the photographer is retaining the copyrights of the photograph, that the photographer consents to granting PTI use of the photograph. Please see the “Legal” section on the application form.
REMINDER: Do not submit duplicate videos of the same pool.
- Use a professional videographer: Only high-quality videos will be accepted (shoot at 60 frames per second or higher and target resolution of 4K or 1080p minimum).
- No logos or branding: Branded videos and social media reels will not be accepted.
- Video length: Videos must be 20-60 seconds long. PebbleTec reserves the right to show portions of the video as appropriate for the
- PebbleTec products: Videos must feature pools created using Pebble Technology International finishes.(Including PTI Fire & Water or Lightstreams Tiles is a bonus.).
- Video types: Video entries should fit into at least one of four categories:
- Backyard tour: Videos touring backyards that include a PebbleTec pool, Fire & Water features or Lightstreams Glass Tile
- Aerial views: Drone footage of PebbleTec pools
- Before and after: Footage showing the pool building or remodel process
- Testimonial: Why choose PebbleTec finishes for a new pool or remodel project
- Copyright permission: If a professional videographer is being used, please make sure that either: (1) you are the copyright owner of the video, or (2) if the videographer is retaining the copyrights of the video, that the videographer consents to granting PTI use of the video. All videos may be used for PebbleTec Marketing use including website, displays and social media. Please see the “Legal” section on the application form.
Award Requirements for Prestigious Cover Photo:
To be considered for the book cover photo, your image must be taken with a 48MP+ camera, or you may provide an optional portrait image taken with a 24MP Camera (Minimum). Drone shots will NOT be considered for the cover.
Ensure Submission Info Is Accurate
The information you submit (company name, company address, builder salesperson, designer, etc.) will be listed as-is for winners in our 2025 book. Please ensure all information is accurate and exactly as you want it to appear in print.
Please make sure each of the following are true.
- One photo or video per pool: We accept up to 10 unique pool projects per builder (ONE photo or video per project, no duplicate photos of the same pool taken at different angles.)
- Submission accuracy: All submitted information will be listed as-is for winners in our 2025 book. Please ensure all information is accurate and exactly as you want it to appear in print.
- PebbleTec builders: You must be a PebbleTec Elite, Certified or Registered Builder to enter.
- PebbleTec pool finishes: Pools must feature a PebbleTec pool finish to qualify.
- Submission criteria: Photos and videos must meet ALL requirements on our criteria page (REMINDER: Ask your photographer for RAW, original files. DO NOT submit photos with a native image size less than 6,000 pixels wide by 4,000 pixels high.)
- Submission deadline: All submissions must be received by February 28, 2025.
Confirm Permission To Use
Check the “Permission to Use” box to indicate that you have granted PTI full permission to freely use all images and support statements in marketing materials, social media and/or website. PebbleTec also reserves the right to use photos and videos for some Thumbstopper distribution social media with limited branding.
2025 World’s Greatest Pools Submission Forms
The 2025 submission period is now open! All submissions must be received by February 28, 2025—and must meet ALL requirements on our criteria page above to qualify for judging by our professional industry panel.