Florida State Parks announce 2023 photo contest with grand prize valued over $3,000

Cover photo by Uncovering Florida, Cassie Leigh

Florida's 175 state parks, trails, and other historic sites offer visitors and residents alike a smorgasbord of beautiful backdrops that it's almost impossible to take a bad photograph. Now, Florida State Parks want to see the Sunshine State from your point of view in their annual photo contest for 2023 titled Capture the Real Florida — with a grand prize valued at over $3,000 on the line.

"Florida's state parks have a diversity of geography, natural resources, and wildlife. Our photo contest encourages people to get outdoors and into nature, and it also allows them to share their best pictures of their personal experiences in nature," said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. "There are several categories and participant levels, so this is a contest open to everyone. The photo contest showcases all the best parts of our spectacular parks."

A collaboration with its retail and reservation management provider, the Capture the Real Florida contest will run from now through July 30, 2023. Submissions will be accepted on the photo contest website and are open to all Florida State Park Visitors. Winners will be announced in November.

So what about the rules?

According to a press release for the contest, the first and most important rule is that all photos must be taken inside a Florida State Park. 

Each participant may submit one photograph for each category for a total of 12 photographs, or four photographs may be submitted into each of three separate categories.

The 12 categories include:

• Landscape
• Wildlife
• Birds
• Waterscapes
• Night Skies
• Details & Small Things
• Park Experiences
• Park Adventures
• Plants & Flowers
• Camping
• Trails
• Sightseeing

You don't have to own a fancy camera for a chance to win either, as the photo contest will also include three divisions: professional/hobbyist, student, and mobile phone.

First, second, and third-place winners will be selected within their division by a panel of employees from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The grand-prize winner will be chosen by a Blue Ribbon panel and will receive a gift package that values at over $3,000. The package includes a $2,500 B&H Gift Card, an Annual Entrance Pass to Florida State Parks, as well as a Florida State Parks branded stand-up paddle board and a hammock.

But a gift package isn't all that you could brag about if you win. The winning photograph may also be featured in a calendar, on state websites, displays, or in Florida Visitor Centers and publications.
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For a full list of photograph rules, submission details, and prizes, visit the Florida State Parks photo contest website here.
Article by Rachael Volpe