PHOTO CONTEST

Virginia’s Annual Conservation Photo Contest

Want to have your photo featured on the cover of a book? Want to win cash? Now’s your chance! The Virginia Conservation Network is calling for all photographers to submit their best conservation-minded photos from Virginia for a chance to be featured as the cover photo of Our 2026 Common Agenda Briefing Book.

To be eligible for the contest, the photo must have been shot by the entrant in Virginia. Each photo must have the location and photographer’s name in the file title. Landscape (horizontal) photos are preferred over vertical shots in order to fit the layout of the Our Common Agenda Briefing Book.

Photographers can submit an unlimited number of photos from June 2nd – July 18th, 2025. VCN staff will select the top photos that will be voted on by the public from July 21st – August 1st, 2025. Photo contest winners will be announced during the week of August 4th.

ENTER THE PHOTO CONTEST

Photo Contest Prizes

The Grand Prize winner will receive $150 and have their photo featured as the full cover of the Our 2026 Common Agenda Briefing Book.

We will also present $100 awards for the best photo representing one of our conservation themes:

  • Outdoor Recreation on Virginia Public Lands: Show us how Virginians connect with nature through outdoor activities on our public lands.
    Sponsored by Our Virginia Outdoors
  • Ripple Effect: Celebrate the joy of rivers passed down through generations. Show us moments where kids, parents, elders, and maybe even a loyal pup come together to hike, fish, picnic, bike, or paddle near the water’s edge–sponsored by Potomac Conservancy
  • Vistas: Show us Virginia’s iconic views and landscapes–sponsored by The Nature Conservancy
  • Historic & Cultural Resources: Show us Virginia’s rich history and traditions

Photo entries will be judged based on creativity, quality, originality, and overall impact. Landscape (horizontal) photographs are preferred. Public voting begins July 21st. Winners will be announced at the beginning of August.

ENTER THE PHOTO CONTEST

You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant the Virginia Conservation Network (and those authorized by the Virginia Conservation Network) a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of the organization and its website, exhibition, and commercial products, including but not limited to Virginia Conservation Network publications. Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. Virginia Conservation Network will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

All entrants hold the Virginia Conservation Network and their respective regents, directors, officers, employees, emeriti, fellows, interns, research associates, and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries, or other claims incurred as a result of entrants’ participation in the contest or winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions or failures, or causes beyond their control. Entrants are solely responsible for their entries. Entrants may not submit materials that introduce any software viruses, worms or other programs designed to damage software, hardware or telecommunications equipment or are off-topic, partisan-political, contain advertising, nudity, personal attacks or expletives, or is otherwise abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, discriminatory, libelous, obscene, false, sexually explicit, or that infringes on the rights of any third party.

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Virginia Conservation Network reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, the Virginia Conservation Network reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. The Virginia Conservation Network reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of the Virginia Conservation Network are final and binding.

SEE PAST PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS