2023 Contest Winners | 2022 Contest Winners | 2024 Judges

This contest is open to all nature photographers aged eight and older, with $200 prizes awarded separately to 8 ― 18 year olds and ages 19 and up. Three of the categories (wildlife, scapes, and close-ups) are judged by a panel of two judges. Additionally, a $200 community choice award goes to the youth and adult photo with the most votes.

Each photo entry costs $15. Photos must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time) on Sunday, July 7, 2024.


Prizes will be awarded in two divisions for each category:

• Adult: age 19 or older, or out of high school at the end of the contest.
• Youth: ages 8 to 18, or still in high school at the end of the contest.

1. Wildlife: Any wild animal is acceptable, including birds, mammals, fish, snails, insects, etc. Photos of animals in captivity, such as pets, zoo residents, or rehab/education animals are not accepted.
2. Scapes: The earth is full of amazing views. Submit your photo of landscapes, plantscapes, seascapes, weather, clouds, rainbow, mountains, ponds, or any view that you find amazing.  
3. Macros and Close-up details: You don’t need a macro lens to get an amazing close-up shot. This category is not just for close up shots of small things, but also for close-up details of large things: an animal’s eye, a detail on a fossil, etc.
   
   

This category is judged by the online community who can vote with $1.00 (U.S. dollars) per vote for the photos they like best. There is a $200 prize for the photo with the most votes in both the youth and the adult division. It is possible that a photo or a photographer will receive both the community choice award and win in another category.

1. Eight $200 Winners: One in each judged category for youth and adult, as well as the community choice award for youth and adult.
2. 20 Finalists will be selected (3 youth, 3 adult in the three judged categories, as well as the top 3 youth and adults in the community choice category.)
3. Winning photographers will be notified through email and receive cash prizes in United States dollars via a check sent by United States mail. No cash transfers are available. Please make sure to check your junk email folder for notifications.
4. Winners and finalists will be named in a news release that is widely distributed, including to their local media, if known.
5. ACNC will print the winning photographs from the judged categories to exhibit in the Nature Center.