Forests in Focus Photo Contest 2024

Deadline: 25th February 2024

American Forests’ annual photo contest is an opportunity to showcase a wide array of forest scenes — from large wilderness areas to city parks — that are just as beautiful and diverse as the people who live among, enjoy and depend on them. Images submitted should convey the powerful role these forests play in making our world more beautiful, healthy and prosperous.

Categories

• Forest Landscapes

These images could be views of vast wilderness or highlight the intricacies of the forest floor, ultimately showing the wonder of forests. This category definitely focuses on depth: How many aspects or layers of the forest can you capture?

• Big, Beautiful Trees

Photos in this category should strive to depict the essence of a big, beautiful tree, displaying the splendor to be found in breathtaking trees. We particularly love towering, old, gnarled ancients — though we’re definitely open to up-and-comers, too.

• Forests and People

One of the best parts of forests is that we get to experience them! This category is for stunning photos of humans interacting with forests in rural or urban areas, through recreation or work.

• Forest Wildlife

Managing to capture wildlife in action is the mark of a truly skilled and patient photographer. These images depict nature as it lives in the wild and our urban forests. All wildlife submissions must be of animals in the wild. Photos of animals in captivity will not be considered valid entries.

• Cityscapes Splendor

This category focuses on images that depict the importance of trees to people in cities. From providing shade to walkers, runners and playground goers to gracing the skylines with touches of nature, these images creatively illustrate where urban meets nature.

• Forest Close-Ups

Focusing on the smallest details sometimes reveals a larger truth. Photos in this category concentrate on up-close shots and tight framing to capture the beauty and wonder of our forests in a personal way.

• Nature as Art

Sometimes beauty lies in surprising places. Sometimes it takes a certain eye to find it. Creativity is the key to this category, which seeks photographs that depict nature in inventive ways.

• Aspiring Photographers

Are you an aspiring photographer in high school? Or do you know one? This category is for the next generation to show that they’re truly ready to take on the world. (Category is open to students in grades 9 through 12; see below for additional details.)

Prizes