Photography Contest

2025 PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Showcase the beauty of Preservation Parks! Capture landscapes, wildlife, or moments that celebrate these protected spaces. Open to all amateur skill levels. Share your vision and help inspire a deeper appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage. Submit this form for each photo entry.

CONTEST CATEGORIES

Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Animals – Photos in this category may include only wild animals. No domesticated animals will be permitted. Photos of Gallant Farm livestock should be entered in the Park District Scenes category. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. 

General Nature – Photos may capture landscapes, plants, animals, and natural phenomena of nature and the environment such as weather, etc. The human element may be present but should be unobtrusive and only present to enhance the scene. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. 

Macro – This category showcases a subject larger than it is in real life, i.e., extreme closeups of something small. Photos can feature closeup aspects of plants, animals, and other natural items. No man-made features please. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.  

Park District Scenes – Photos may capture natural or historical features, structures, events, areas, or people found within the parks. Photos may include people but NO portraits will be accepted. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site.

Youth – Photos in this category must be related to any of the other contest categories. Photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site. This category is for ages 17 and under. 

2025 GUIDELINES – New Process. Please read carefully!

The photo contest is open to all amateur photographers, youth to adult. ‘Amateur’ is defined as someone who derives less than 50% of their annual income from the sale of photographs or photographic works. Preservation Parks’ employees and their families are ineligible to participate in the contest. Youth must be 17 years or younger. For questions or information please email entries@preservationparks.com.

• Entry Deadline is 11:59 p.m., November 30, 2025.
  
• All photo entries must be submitted through the form below. Submit the form for each photo you wish to be considered.
  
• Minimum resolution of 2400 x 3000 pixels, a maximum of 5MB and in jpeg/jpg format.
  
• No major digital enhancements or alterations.
  
• Please do not include any watermarks, date stamps, borders, writing, or quotes on photos.
  
• Participants may enter two (2) entries per category. If more entries are submitted for a category, only the first 2 submissions will be considered.
  
• Contest Categories: Participants may enter two (2) entries per category. If more entries are submitted for a category, only the first 2 submissions will be considered. All photos must be taken at a Preservation Parks site (park or trail). Please visit our Parks & Trails page to see all Preservation Parks sites.
  • Animals
  • General Nature
  • Macro
  • Park District Scenes
  • Youth (17 and under)
    
• Photos must be your own and not taken by somebody other than you. Your submission of the entry is your guarantee that you are the author, sole owner and copyright holder of the photo.
  
• Judging
  • The top ten (10) photos will be selected in each category by a panel of Park District staff. The public will then vote online between [date-date], once every 24 hours. At the end of the voting period, we will announce the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners of each category on social media and our website. Winning photos will be displayed at a park location to be determined.
    
• If you are entering any photos containing recognizable people (photos showing faces), submit the photo release form here or download here. Do not take photos of strangers. A form must be signed by each adult in the photo and permission granted by a parent or guardian for any child pictured.
  
• By entering this contest, each entrant agrees to allow Preservation Parks to use their photograph and/or name in any Park District publication, advertisement, or merchandise without further notice or compensation. Preservation Parks may publish or use any submitted photograph at their sole discretion, giving credit to the photographer where possible. The entrant still retains the right to use and publish their photograph. Preservation Parks reserves the right to reject any photograph if it is deemed as containing objectionable or questionable content.

Be sure to submit the photo release form if people are pictured in your photo entry.

2024 Preserving Our Heritage Photography Contest Winners