Who can enter?

Any legal resident of the United States who has visited a Florida State Park. Entrants to the Professional / Hobbyist Division and Mobile Phone Photographer Division must be 18 years or older. Entrants in the student division under 18 years old must submit a parent/guardian consent form with each submission.

What participant division should I enter?

The Florida State Parks Photo Contest includes three divisions. Select the division that matches your skill level and equipment.

1. Professional / Hobbyist Division
   - Professional photographers and adult hobbyists.
   - Equipment: Professional or high-definition photography equipment such as digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras.
2. Student Division
   - High school, university or college students.
   - Equipment: Professional-level photography equipment, DSLR, mirrorless, high-definition, consumer devices or cameras.
3. Mobile Phone Photographer Division
   - Any photographer using a mobile device.
   - Equipment: Mobile phone camera or device

When can I enter the contest? 

Submit photos between June 1, 2023 and August 6, 2023. 

  
What are the contest categories? 

The contest includes 12 categories.

1. Landscape: Natural Florida State Parks areas of land and geographic features such as forests, beaches, wetlands or open space.
2. Wildlife: Native animals found in Florida State Parks, such as squirrels, deer, bobcats, fox, otters, snakes, turtles, and other species not including birds.
3. Birds: Year-round avian residents and migratory species.
4. Waterscapes: Natural areas and features along coasts, beaches, rivers, bays, estuaries, waterfalls and springs.
5. Night Skies: The park sky as it is seen at night, including celestial sights such as stars, the moon and the Milky Way.
6. Details and Small Things: A focus on details or on small items found in state parks.
7. Park Experiences: People enjoying park amenities such as playgrounds, boat ramps, picnic pavilions, welcome centers, museums, gardens, wildlife habitats, water parks and accessible activities. This also includes park concession amenities such as canoe and bike rentals, boat or cave tours, restaurants and mermaid performances.
8. Park Adventure: People enjoying park land or water activities, birding or wildlife viewing, geo-seeking, exploring, fishing, swimming, surfing, paddling, canoeing or kayaking, tubing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
9. Plants and Flowers: Native plants and flowers in state parks or gardens.
10. Camping: People enjoying activities centered around camping or camping sites such as campers and RVs, primitive camping, glamping, boat camping or cabins.
11. Trails: Park trail scenery, trail terrain (boardwalks and paths) or trail activities (hiking, biking, horseback riding, interpretive and paddling trails).
12. Sightseeing: Landmarks, monuments, reenactments, cultural and historic sites found in state parks.

How many photos can I enter? 

Each entrant can submit up to 12 photos. 

Can I edit my submitted photos? 

No. Alteration or manipulation of photographs is prohibited except for cropping, red eye removal, and/or contrast and brightness adjustment. Photographs with watermarks, writing or symbols of any kind will not be considered. Photographic techniques such as HDR, light painting and long exposures are allowed. 

Can I submit a photo that I used for a previous contest?

No, you can’t submit a photo you previously submitted to a photo contest.

When will the winners be announced? 

Winners will be notified in February 2024. 

  
How will Florida State Parks use the photo(s)? 

Florida State Parks and its reservation management provider, Tyler Technologies, will be able to use the images in perpetuity for their marketing and communications campaigns. 
   

Do I have to take new photos? 

No, you don’t have to take a new photo.  You can submit any photo taken on or after January 1, 2022.