Smithsonian magazine 23rd Annual Photo Contest

OUR FREE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST RECOMMENDATION OF THE DAY!

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Smithsonian magazine 23rd Annual Photo Contest begins September 15th, 2025, and ends December 1st, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest and states that he or she is 18 years old or older.

The Grand Prize, Readers’ Choice prize, Wildlife, Travel, People, The American Experience at 250, Artistic Images and Drone/Aerial category prizes are open to photographers who are 18 years old or older.Individuals affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, including employees, emeriti, Regents, trustees, interns, volunteers, fellows, research associates and their immediate families (children, parents, siblings and spouses) and others living in their households are not eligible for any prize. The Smithsonian will determine winners’ eligibility in its sole discretion.

The following six contest categories are drawn from subjects of special interest to Smithsonian magazine:

1. Wildlife: Animals and plants in the great outdoors that give you a sense of wonder about the natural world.
   
2. Travel: Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place.
   
3. People: Portraits and photos of groups or individuals.
   
4. The American Experience at 250: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, we're looking for the stories, events, objects and places that connect the American people to their 250 years of history and cultural heritage; photographs that tell us what it means to be an American and provide a sense of what it is like to live in this country.
   
5. Artistic Images: Visuals that use photography as a creative and imaginative platform to express an idea or concept. These images can be manipulated in any method, either through photo editing software or other techniques.
   
6. Drone/Aerial: Any photograph captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone. Images shot from planes/helicopters are also accepted.

To be eligible for any category, a photograph must have been shot by the entrant since January 1, 2023. This date applies to all images in a composite. The contestant certifies that he/she is the sole creator and copyright owner of the submitted photograph.

The contest begins on September 15th, 2025. All entries must be received through Smithsonianmag.com by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on December 1st, 2025.

Eight prizes will be awarded, as follows:

• Grand Prize: $2,500.
  
• Category Winners: The winners of each of the six categories will receive $500.
  
• Readers' Choice: The winner of the online Readers’ Choice award will receive $500.

One cash prize per person; winners may receive additional non-cash prizes. Winners must sign a release and license, as well as a declaration of eligibility, and will be responsible for paying any fees or taxes associated with the prize. All prizes are awarded “as is” and non-transferable.  In case applicable law prohibits the Smithsonian from awarding a photographer the cash prize and/or any non-cash prize, the Smithsonian may award the prize in name only.