Garden for Wildlife Photo Contest

Start snapping now — the 2019 contest opens August 5!

About the Contest

The Garden for Wildlife™ Photo Contest seeks to illustrate the faces of Garden for Wildlife through striking, colorful images showcasing the impact of habitat gardens on wildlife and people–in urban, suburban, and rural settings, and on land, in the air, and in water.

Need inspiration? Take a look at the 2018 contest winners and browse the honorable mentions gallery, or check out the full gallery of photographs submitted in 2018.

Photographs may be submitted in one of the following five categories:

People in the Wildlife Garden

Close-Up Native Plants and Their Wildlife Visitors

a monarch butterfly pupa on a metal fence

Wildlife Observed Where People Live, Work, Play, Learn, and Worship

flowers in front of bird bath and Certified Wildlife Habitat sign

Certified Wildlife Habitat Landscapes

American goldfinch on flowers in a meadow

Young Habitat Photographers

Photo Contest Winners

Grand Prize (one winner): $1,000 cash prize
Runner-Up (one winner): $500 cash prize
Category Winners: One winner from each category will receive a $100 Botanical Interests gift certificate, a bird feeder and a copy of Wildlife Gardening: Tips for Four Seasons.

Garden Photography Tips

Try not to use a flash. Natural light is best!
Use shade to your advantage, especially when the sun is high, to help diffuse bright spots and glare.
Overcast weather is best to help reduce shadows.
Use a tripod for close-up shots to help avoid the blur caused by camera shake.

Want more? Check out 10 tips to improve your wildlife photography.

Supporters

Many thanks to our promotional partners and supporters, dedicated to helping more Americans plant with a purpose by promoting the first annual Garden for Wildlife Photo Contest!