Arizona Wildlife Federation

2026 Photo Contest

Celebrate Arizona Through Your Lens | Arizona Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

Free to enter. Open to photographers of all experience levels. Selected photographers may be featured in Arizona Wildlife News, AWF emails, social media, and on our website.

How to Enter

1

Select Your Photos

You may submit up to five photos total in the following categories: Arizona Public Lands, Wildlife on Public Lands, Outdoor Recreation, Sporting Heritage, Gardening for Wildlife, and Threatened & Endangered Species.

2

Begin the Form Below

Submit your contact information, photo stories or descriptions, and a short personal bio.

3

Upload Your Photos

Use the Dropbox upload link after completing the form.

Entry Form and Photo Stories

Please complete the form below before uploading your photo files.

Upload Your Photos

Photo Upload Instructions

After submitting the entry and photo story form, upload your photo files using the Dropbox link below. Please name each file using this format:

Lastname_Firstname_Category_PhotoTitle_Location.jpg

Example: Smith_Jane_WildlifeOnPublicLands_GilaMonsterSunBathing_MaderaCanyon.jpg

Upload Photos

Contest Categories

Public Lands

Arizona Public Lands

Celebrate Arizona’s spectacular landscapes and the public lands that belong to all of us.

Wildlife

Wildlife on Public Lands

Native Arizona wildlife photographed in natural habitats.

Recreation

Outdoor Recreation

People hiking, camping, birding, paddling, climbing, hunting, fishing, or exploring Arizona’s outdoors.

Tradition

Sporting Heritage

Mentorship, hunting, fishing, shooting sports, and outdoor traditions. No harvested animal photos.

Backyard Habitat

Gardening for Wildlife

Native plants, pollinators, wildlife-friendly yards, habitat gardens, and Certified Wildlife Habitats®.

Conservation

Threatened & Endangered Species

Arizona’s rare and imperiled wildlife through ethical wildlife photography.

Contest Rules

Photos must be taken in Arizona.
Entrants must own the rights to every image submitted.
Each photo must include a title, location, and photo story or description.
Wildlife photos must feature native Arizona species.
No captive wildlife photos will be awarded.
No harvested animal photos will be awarded.
Photographers retain copyright to their work.
Photographer credit will be provided whenever AWF uses submitted photos.
By entering, you grant Arizona Wildlife Federation permission to use submitted photographs in publications, fundraising, educational materials, social media, website, email, and promotional communications.

Winners Receive

Selected photographers may be featured in Arizona Wildlife News, on AWF’s website, across AWF social media channels, and in email campaigns. Additional donated prizes may be announced as they become available.

Questions?

Contact Elise Lange, AWF Communications Manager, at elise@azwildlife.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can enter?

The Arizona Wildlife Federation Photo Contest is open to photographers of all experience levels. Whether you're using a professional camera or photographing Arizona's wildlife and outdoor experiences as a hobby, we encourage you to participate.

When can I submit my photos?

The contest opens July 28, 2026. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Arizona Time on September 14, 2026.

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced in October 2026 through Arizona Wildlife Federation communications.

Is there an entry fee?

No. The contest is free to enter.

How many photos can I submit?

You may submit up to 5 photographs across one or multiple contest categories.

Can I enter more than one category?

Yes. You may submit photographs in multiple categories. Each photo should be entered into the category that best represents its subject.

Do my photos have to be taken this year?

No. Photographs may have been taken in any year, provided they were taken in Arizona and you are the original photographer.

Where must the photos be taken?

All photographs must be taken within the state of Arizona.

What file types are accepted?

Please submit high-resolution JPEG (.jpg) files whenever possible.

Can I edit my photos?

Yes. Standard photographic edits, including cropping, exposure adjustments, white balance, color correction, sharpening, and dust removal, are permitted.

Images that substantially alter the original scene through excessive manipulation, composites, or artificial image generation are not eligible.

Are AI-generated images allowed?

No. Images created entirely or primarily using artificial intelligence are not eligible for this contest.

Can I submit photos taken with my phone?

Absolutely. Outstanding photographs can be captured with many different types of cameras, including smartphones!

Do I keep the copyright to my photos?

Yes. You retain full copyright ownership of every image you submit.

How may Arizona Wildlife Federation use my photos?

By entering the contest, you grant Arizona Wildlife Federation permission to use submitted photographs for conservation education, advocacy, fundraising, publications, social media, the website, email communications, and other promotional purposes.

Photographer credit will always be provided.

Arizona Wildlife Federation will not sell your photographs or license them to third parties without your additional permission.

What makes a strong contest entry?

We're looking for photographs that tell the story of Arizona's wildlife, public lands, waters, outdoor recreation, conservation, and sporting heritage. Technical quality is important, but compelling moments, creativity, and storytelling are equally valuable.

Can I submit photos containing people?

Yes. Outdoor recreation, conservation work, and sporting heritage photographs may include people. If recognizable individuals appear in your photograph, you are responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions.

Can I submit photos of captive animals?

No. Wildlife photographs should depict native Arizona wildlife in natural settings. Images of captive wildlife are not eligible.

Are harvested game photos allowed?

No. While Arizona Wildlife Federation supports ethical hunting and sporting traditions, photographs depicting harvested animals are not eligible for this contest.

What happens after I submit?

After completing the online entry form, you'll upload your photo files through the provided Dropbox link. Once your submission is received, no additional action is required unless Arizona Wildlife Federation contacts you with questions.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Please contact:

Elise Ketcham
Communications Manager
Arizona Wildlife Federation
elise@azwildlife.org

Arizona Wildlife Federation

PO Box 1182, Mesa, AZ 85211
(480) 702-1365
awf@azwildlife.org

The Arizona Wildlife Federation is a Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization.

EIN# 86-0076994

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