Calling all cute babies! Gerber's Photo Search contest returns in 2026
Saman ShafiqGerber is bringing its annual photo contest back in 2026, after skipping it in 2025.
The baby food manufacturer, on Monday, March 2, announced it has "officially opened the call for entries to its '2026 Gerber Photo Search: Behind the Baby,' unveiling a reimagined search that honors both babies and their parents who make everyday moments special."
"Families nationwide are invited to submit their unforgettable real-life moments that capture the joys of parenthood for a chance to be named the 2026 Gerber Baby," the company said.
The Gerber Photo Search last took place in 2024. This year's edition will also celebrate parents, "to recognize just how much they do."
"At Gerber, parents have always been at the heart of our mission, born from Dorothy Gerber’s simpleidea to make feeding easier for families," Gerber President Oscar Benítez said in a statement. "The 2026 Photo Search brings our commitment to life by shining a light on parents, celebrating the everyday moments that often go unnoticed, and continuing our work to help create a world that’s truly more parent friendly."
Here's what to know about the contest and how to participate.
Gerber Baby Photo Search contest dates for 2026
Submissions for the 2026 Gerber Photo Search open March 2 at 12 a.m. ET and run until 11:59 p.m. ET April 12.
How to participate in the 2026 Gerber Photo Search
To enter the 2026 Gerber Photo Search, parents of children less than 3 years old need to submit the following to photosearch.gerber.com:
- Child name and birth date.
- One photo of your baby that shows an everyday moment, such as a wide-eyed reaction to the first bites of a new food, wobbly first steps, a walk in the park, or any scene that shows your baby’s natural emotion and personality in a clear, expressive way.
- A written submission of no more than 200 words, that shares the story behind the moment captured in the photo.
"Your photo and written submission should complement each other and capture a moment that leaves a heartfelt impression," Gerber said.
The contest is open only to legal and currently residing residents of the United States and Puerto Rico, who are over 18, and the parent or legal guardian of a child no more than 60 months old.
New category for toddlers
For the first time in the contest's history, Gerber is also introducing a new category specifically created for kids 3 to 5 years old.
"Sponsored by Get’ems! from Gerber, a line of wholesome snacks for kids 3+ made with real fruits, veggies, or whole grains in fun flavors like pizza and apple cinnamon, parents and their kids (3 to 5 years old) have a chance to win a $10,000 prize, plus $500 from Gerber Childrenswear," Gerber said.
The process to participate in this category is the same as for Photo Search. Parents can enter via photosearch.gerber.com, which will have an option to submit for this category.
Gerber Photo Search 2026 prize
Prizes of the 2026 Gerber Photo Search include:
- $50,000
- Special Gerber Childrenswear "Grow with Us" wardrobe valued at $2,000, to help families keep up with their little one's growth during every season.
Gerber Photo Search was last held in 2024
The last Gerber Photo Search took place in 2024 when Akil McLeod was announced as the 2024 Gerber Baby and Chief Growing Officer, according to a news release on Gerber's website.
The toddler, known as "Sonny", is from Arizona and loves playing with toy cars and watching football with his family.
Sonny's mom Dominique McLeod, in a statement, said being part of the photo search was a very joyful experience for the family.
"Gerber didn’t just celebrate a photo, they celebrated our story," McLeod said. "I love that this year’s search includes parents, because it reflects what the early years are really like: full of real, messy, beautiful moments we’re all navigating together."
Origins of the Gerber Photo Search
The iconic face of the original Gerber Baby has become synonymous with the brand, and like today, that face was found through a contest held in 1928, according to Gerber.
A simple sketch of Ann Turner Cook, drawn by her family's neighbor, artist Dorothy Hope Smith, won the contest and grew so popular that, in 1931, it became Gerber's official trademark and it is the face of Gerber to this day.
Today, the Gerber baby is found in a similar way.
Parents have been entering their children into the annual Gerber Baby Photo Search since it began in June 2010, according to a press release. The first winner of the contest was announced in January 2011.
Of the over 217,000 contestants, judges picked 2-year-old Mercy Townsend from Toledo, Ohio.
In past years, content winners have had a chance to star in Gerber advertisements and win scholarship money.
Contributing: Julia Gomez, Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.