Enter Our 2023 Photo Contest

All ages are welcome to participate!

Adult contestants may submit one original photograph per subject category.

Youth contestants (ages 16 and under) may submit up to seven original photographs of any subject category of their choosing. These entries will be judged separately from the adult entries in a youth-specific category.

This year's categories include:

• Architecture
• Insects
• People
• Plants & Fungi
• Snow & Ice
• Trails
• Wildlife

Winning Photographers Receive Prizes!

The Best in Show winner will receive a complimentary 1-year membership to Cincinnati Nature Center (choice of membership up to a Family level), and a $30 gift certificate to The Nature Shop

The First Place winners in each category will receive a complimentary daily admission pass and $30 gift certificate to The Nature Shop

Second and Third Place winners in each category will receive a $10 gift certificate to The Nature Shop

The Staff Pick winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to The Nature Shop

*Photographers may win in more than one category. In the event a participant receives multiple awards, they will be given one award at the highest level received.

Deadline for all entries is December 31. Winners will be announced in February 2024. 

How to Enter

• Read our Contest Rules
• Take photos at Cincinnati Nature Center’s Rowe Woods or Long Branch Farm & Trails
• Select your best shots and rename the files: name, underscore, subject category (ex: SuzieSmith_Wildlife.jpg or ConnorJones_Youth.jpg)
• Fill out the digital Photo Contest Entry Form (you must fill out this entry form to be eligible to win. Photo submissions without a completed digital entry form will not be judged.)
• If you enter a photograph into the ‘People’ category, a Likeness Release Form of your photo subjects must also be completed and submitted alongside your images.
• Submit your best photos via WeTransfer.com. It’s that simple! (Submission instructions can be found on our full rules page here: Rules and Submission Instructions)

Click here to complete the 2023 Photo Contest Entry Form.

Click here to complete the Likeness Release Form if submitting photos of people.

Click here to browse last year's winning photos!

For any questions, please contact photocontest@cincynature.org.