Best Overall Photo
The Best Overall Photo will be featured on social media and will be used for next year’s festival promotion on the website. The winner will also receive a free 2026 festival t-shirt*.
2026 PHOTO
CONTEST
Headlands Birding Festival ↗CONTEST
— 2026 PHOTO CONTEST
Share your favorite
birding moment.
From a striking portrait to a bird in its habitat or a moment that made you laugh, we’d love to see what you captured during the festival.
ENTRY PERIODSubmit your photos
September 18, 2026 at 12:00 AM Eastern
through October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern
VOTING PERIODJudges review entries
October 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM Eastern
through October 2, 2026 at 7:31 AM Eastern
WINNERSAnnouncement
October 2, 2026
01 / ENTRY
Enter the contest
Upload up to five photos in one entry per person. You’ll see your own images on a private receipt page; an organizer reviews each photo before it appears in the shared gallery.
Entries are closed
Submissions closed October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern. Thank you to everyone who shared their photos.
Look what you captured!
Prizes & Recognition
Prizes for the Festival Bird Photo Contest are designed to celebrate participation and creativity rather than competition.
Contest Winners will receive great Headlands merchandise!
Best Bird in Its Natural Environment
The Best Bird in Its Natural Environment photo will be featured on social media and the website. The winner will also receive a free 2026 festival t-shirt*.
Funniest Bird Photo
The Funniest Bird Photo will be featured on social media and the website. The winner will also receive a free 2026 festival t-shirt*.
Top Calendar Photos
The Top Calendar Photos — 13 photos (one for each month plus the cover) — will be featured in a special Headlands Birding Festival calendar. Each of the photographers whose images are selected for the calendar will receive one free copy of the printed calendar.
*T-shirt prizes are subject to available sizes. This year’s festival shirt features custom artwork by a local artist and is available in limited quantities. If the winner’s preferred size is unavailable, an equivalent festival merchandise prize will be provided.
The festival reserves the right not to award a category if there are insufficient qualifying entries.
Photos may also be highlighted on the festival website or social media as part of our celebration of birds and community.
Submission rules
To ensure a fair and enjoyable contest for all participants, please review the following guidelines:
Eligibility & entry
- Photos must be taken during the Headlands Birding Festival
- Images must feature wild birds observed at the festival
- Each photographer may submit up to five (5) photographs. There is no need to select a contest category when submitting your photos.
- Contest is open to ticketed festival attendees only (verified via General Registration ticket)
How photos are considered
- All eligible photographs will be considered by the judges for Best Overall Photo, Best Bird in Its Natural Environment, Funniest Bird Photo, and Top Calendar Photos. The judges will determine which award or recognition, if any, is most appropriate for each photograph.
- A photograph may be selected for both a category award and the festival calendar.
- Calendar photographs will be selected based on judges' evaluations of photographic quality, composition, and visual appeal. Multiple photographs from the same photographer may be selected. Final calendar selections may also consider variety in bird species, habitats, and overall calendar presentation.
Image standards & verification
- Basic editing is allowed (cropping, exposure, color correction), but composite images or heavy manipulation are not permitted
- AI-generated images will not be accepted. Standard photo editing and processing are permitted, but images created wholly or substantially using generative AI are not eligible.
- Submissions must be the original work of the entrant
- Submit high-quality, full-resolution JPEG files, including JPEGs exported from RAW files. Retain the full pixel dimensions after permitted cropping and preserve the camera’s capture date and time. Do not resize for email or social media; GPS information is optional. The upload form shows the current per-photo size limit.
- Calendar print quality. Aim for at least 3300 × 2550 pixels in either orientation, without artificial enlargement. Final suitability depends on the calendar layout and printer specifications. Smaller photographs remain eligible for category awards. Missing capture metadata requires manual eligibility review.
- Original File Requirement. Contest administrators may request the original image file, including available metadata, to verify eligibility. Screenshots, images downloaded from social media or other websites, and images that cannot reasonably be verified may be disqualified.
By submitting a photo, participants confirm they have read and agree to these rules.
Judging criteria
All photo entries will be reviewed by a select panel of experienced birders and photographers. Photos will be judged with an emphasis on creativity, observation, and enjoyment of birding — not just technical perfection. Youth and first-time photographers are encouraged to participate.
Bird Identification & Observation
- Does the photo clearly show a wild bird seen during the festival?
- Did the photographer capture an interesting behavior, pose, or moment?
Creativity & Composition
- Is the photo visually engaging or fun to look at?
- Creative framing, perspective, or timing is encouraged — there’s no single “right” way to take a great photo.
Storytelling & Moment
- Does the photo tell a story or capture the excitement of birding at the festival?
- Photos that show curiosity, patience, or a special connection with nature will stand out.
Technical Quality
- Focus, exposure, clarity, and overall image quality
- Does the image allow the bird to be easily seen and appreciated?
Judges will consider both photographic skill and an understanding of birds in their natural environment.