With miles of winding rivers, wide-open vistas and wildlife from border to border, Nebraska is a photographer’s paradise. Nebraskaland Magazine hosts an annual photo contest to showcase local talent and the natural beauty of outdoor Nebraska.
2026 Photo Contest
Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to share their visions of Nebraska with us through the 2026 Nebraskaland Photo Contest.
Photo entries can be posted to our online form between 12:01 a.m. Central time Oct. 1 and 11:59 p.m. Central time Oct. 31, 2026. All entrants must read the photo contest rules below before entering submissions.
Categories
- MACRO — native wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies or other parts of plants and the creepy crawly creatures that inhabit them. Or … a captivating close-up of an outdoor scene seldom seen up-close.
- FLORA/FAUNA — native plants, trees, wildflowers, wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, etc. No humans, please. Or the domestic animals with them.
- LANDSCAPE — in which scenery and landmarks are prominent. While we don’t have mountains or oceans, we have some of the best landscapes in the world. Capture those — and the skies with them.
- HUNTING DOG — Hounds, pointers, flushers, retrievers and more. If it hunts, we want to see your dog. Except when they’re on your lap at the house.
Note: Judges may re-categorize select entries.
Contest rules
To enter:
- Submit your photography to our online form linked on this web page during the photo contest.
- Entrants may submit a maximum of 6 images.
- Do not send: prints, transparencies, negatives, subscription orders, checks or correspondence.
Eligibility requirements:
- The photograph must be an original work created by the contest entrant. Images generated by artificial intelligence (AI) will not be accepted.
- Submitted images’ colors and composition must appear just as they did when photographed; an image that combines the elements of more than one photograph or has elements removed is not eligible.
- Photos must have been taken in Nebraska.
- Photos may not have been previously submitted to (or taken on assignment for) Nebraskaland Magazine.
- Only images taken between Nov. 1, 2025 and Oct. 31, 2026 will be accepted.
- Employees of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and their immediate families cannot participate.
Technical requirements:
- Entries containing a watermark will not be accepted.
- Submissions may be in color or black and white.
- If selected as a finalist, photographs must be made available in digital JPEG or JPG formats with a resolution of at least 8 megapixels. Images not meeting this standard may be disqualified from the Contest at the judges’ sole discretion.
Judging:
- A panel of Nebraskaland photographers and experts will evaluate all eligible entries and select winners based on photographic quality and creativity.
Awards:
- No photographer can win more than one prize, except for the possibility of placing in a single category and winning the Best in Show.
- Winning entries will be announced in the Jan./Feb. 2027 issue of Nebraskaland Magazine. Select entries will be shared on the Nebraskaland Instagram and Facebook pages, as well as in the magazine.
- Prizes are: Best in Show, $250; 1st Prize (In each category), $150; 2nd Prize (In each category), $100; 3rd Prize (In each category), $50