Hills & Dales Estate invites you to participate in the 2025 Photography Contest!

Contest Dates

The dates of the contest are January 6 – June 1, 2025. All photographs must have been taken at Hills & Dales on or after January 1, 2024.

Photo Categories

There will be two levels of participation (novice and advanced) and five categories for judging: Landscape, Architecture, Close-Up/Macro, Abstract, and Black & White. Please submit no more than 3 images per photographer.

Timeline

January 6 – Contest Opens
June 1 – Contest Ends
June 30 – Opening Event
July 1 through August 30 – Photography Contest Exhibit displayed in Visitor Center

Registration

The contest fee is $10 per person and includes two visits to the garden. Member discount does not apply. To register for the contest, please call (706) 882-3242 or email info@hillsanddales.org.

Photo Submission

Please complete the online submission form below and make sure all images are titled. Include the first and last name of the photographer, title of the photograph, and the category of the entry. The contest fee is $10 per person and includes two visits to the garden. Member discount does not apply. Please submit no more than 3 images.

File Requirements

All photos should be submitted in JPG digital format and have a maximum resolution of 20MB. Photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared. The photos should not be significantly altered in Photoshop or similar editing software beyond standard optimization (removal of dust, cropping, reasonable adjustments to exposure, color and contrast, etc.).

Printing & Mounting

Photographers can print and mount their own images if desired. Make sure to mount on white foam board, leaving at least a half-inch border. Please bring your mounted image to the Hills & Dales Visitors Center no later than 5pm on June 1st.

If you would like Hills & Dales to print and mount your images, they will be printed to fit on an 11×17 piece of white foam board with a half-inch margin.

Judging & Prizes

A panel of three professional photographers will select the winning photographs for each of the five categories. Images will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. Judging and prizes will be announced at the opening reception on June 30, 2025.

Awards Reception & Exhibition

A special reception and award presentation will be held on June 30, 2025, at the Hills & Dales Visitor Center. Contest participants and Hills & Dales Estate members will be invited to the opening show. All submitted photography will remain displayed at the visitor center from July 1 through August 30, 2025.

Questions and inquiries about contest rules can be directed to info@hillsanddales.org or (706) 882-3242.

Submission Form