Other Photo Contests*

Photo Contest Resource

This resource is intended just to be an evolving resource for other photo competitions you might be interested in entering. Disclaimer: Loudoun Photo Club is not responsible in any way for an entries, fees, or outcomes from your entries into these or other photo contests.  It is the photographer’s responsibility to read all the rules and guidelines for each contest to know fees, what your rights are and what rights to your photos you may be giving up by entering/winning.  Also, it is each photographer’s responsibility to check the due dates and the requirements for entry. Not every contest is the same.  With all that said, good luck and we hope you are successful in any contests you may enter, even if it is just a way to grow as a photographer.

Submission Deadlines:

(Be sure to check when the date for when entries open so you aren’t hurrying at the last minute to enter before submissions close. Also, do not take the dates below as gospel, as I could’ve made a mistake or the  hosting website could’ve changed them.  if there is a photo contest listed in the bottom section for which you want the dates, please don’t wait for them to be updated on this website.  I have provided links to all the websites so you can check them yourselves.)

January

• Social Documentary Network Zeke Awards (systemic change and documentary photography)

• Washington Gardener Photo Contest (garden setting within 150-mile radius of Washington, DC.; Garden Views, landscape scenes

• PhotoWorks Artist-in-Residence Program (applications due January 20th)

• First Hike Fairfax - competition for this year’s first hike has already closed but you can be ready for next year.

February

• Virginia Wildlife Photos Showcase - Virginia Fauna, Textures and Patterns, Trail-cam images; All entries must have been taken in Virginia of plants and animals native to Virginia, within the past five years. We prefer that all photos of wild animals be taken in their natural habitat.Must've been taken in the last five years.

• Life in the Park Photo Contest (Friends of Kinder Farm Park) - Flora (flowers, trees, plants, etc.); Fauna (all animals including fishes, birds, insects

March

• BigPicture Photo Competition - BigPicture encourages photographers from around the world to contribute their work to this competition that both celebrates and illustrates the rich diversity of life on Earth and inspires action to protect and conserve it through the power of imagery. Chaired by award-winning conservation photographer Suzi Eszterhas, BigPicture welcomes high-quality nature, wildlife and conservation images and is open to all photographers around the world. Enter your work for a chance to win cash prizes and be exhibited at the California Academy of Sciences.

• Foto Forum Santa Fe Photography Award - Up to 12 works should be part of a cohesive body of work

• The National Wildlife Annual Photo Contest - Birds: Of any species; Mammals: Of any species; Baby Animals: Young of any species; Other Wildlife: Underwater life, reptiles, amphibians, insects, spiders, macro and more; Landscapes & Plants: From broad vistas to single blooms; People in Nature: Responsibly enjoying wildlife or the outdoors; Mobile: Taken with phones or tablets; Young Nature Photographers: Open to ages 13 to 17; Portfolio: A collection of up to 10 images built around a common theme related to nature or conservation

April

• Florida Native Nature Photography Contest - Images must depict Florida’s native animals, plants, natural landscapes, seascapes, etc. Images cannot show humans, human-made structures, other artifacts or discernible fauna and/or flora that are not native to Florida.

• Allegany National Photography Competition & Exhibition - There are three categories: black and white (monochrome), color, and a third which has continued to evolve -  3-D Art Form.

• Louis Parsons III Memorial Photo Contest (Ocean City Live Station Saving Museum) - Ocean City Beach,  Ocean City Boardwalk, and Assateague Bay or Ocean City Bay Sunsets

May

• Annual Joseph Miller Abstract Photography Exhibit - All photographic techniques are eligible (May 1st.- May 31)

September

• Best of Virginia State Parks Photo Contest - VA State Parks

December

• International Nature Photography Contest - (“Share the View”) -  Photographs of animals in the wild are favored over those in controlled conditions. Wildlife sanctuaries, zoos and rehabilitation facilities are acceptable locations for contest images.

• Smithsonian Photo Contest - Natural World, Travel, People, The American Experience. Artistic Images, Drone/Aerial (check back in September for entry date).

Dates have not been announced yet for the following contests:

• Exposed DC Annual Photography Contest - Can only enter if resident of DC Metro Area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_metropolitan_area). Photographs must be from this region

• Southern Delaware (Sussex County) - Photos of Southern Delaware  (Entry submissions have started but website was unclear of deadline and how to enter photos.)

• Maryland Ornithological Society - (Check at their website in March for dates)

• Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards (TBD)

• Virginia Wildlife Showcase (Virginia Wildlife Magazine) - Open NOW!! - Virginia Fauna, Textures and Patterns, Trail-cam images; All entries must have been taken in Virginia of plants and animals native to Virginia, within the past five years. We prefer that all photos of wild animals be taken in their natural habitat.

• Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Annual Photo Contest - Sheep Photo Competition: This competition is intended to encourage photographers to explore the beauty of sheep and other wool producing animals, and the versatility of wool and related products. All photos must be related to these subjects. See their website for categories. (Check back in the spring; past due dates have been in May.)

• Nature Photographer of the Year Contest - Contest that celebrates the beauty of nature photography.

• FOCUS National Juried Photography Exhibition - The Delaplane Arts Center (coming in the spring)

• F.R.O.G.S. Photo Contest (Friends of Green Spring) More than just frogs! - Coming in the spring

• Washington Post (WaPo) Annual Travel Photo Contest - Check back in June for dates.

• Smithsonian Photo Contest - Natural World, Travel, People, The American Experience. Artistic Images, Drone/Aerial

• Sony World Photography Contest - Open Competition  10 categories taken with brand camera; WATCH VIDEO

• Ocean Conservancy Annual Photo Contest - check back in May for entry date; usually deadline is in June.

• Mountain Maryland Contest - check back in the summer for dates

• 2025 Audubon Photography Awards Contest (Website says to check back in January ? but doesn’t give specific dates. Today is January 11.)

• The Nature Photography Contest - “Coming Soon”

• 18th National Photography Competition Fotofoto Gallery - Check back

• Piedmont Environmental Council Annual Photo Contest  - Check back in June

• American Forests in Focus Contest - “Check back in November”

• Bird Photographer of the Year -  Best Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Bird Behavior, Birds in Flight, Black & White, Urban Birds, Comedy Bird Photo, Conservation, Portfolio Award, Video Award - “Check back in September” (International competition with large monetary prizes)

• Save the Bay Annual Photo Contest (Chesapeake Bay Foundation) - check back in the spring

• Shore Rivers Photo Contest - Images must be taken within the land and waterways of the Chester, Choptank, Sassafras, Miles, and Wye rivers; Eastern Bay; and the Bayside Creeks. - check back in the summer

• Nature's Best Photography Awards Competitions - OPEN NOW! You must create a (free) account first. But there isn’t a deadline that I saw.

• NOAA Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest - check back for dates
  
  There are thousands of photo contests available to enter.  These are just some that I’ve come across.  Please check dates if you are interested in entering just to be sure they are correct!  Dates can change!