Manatee County’s natural lands offer visitors many wonderful opportunities to capture spectacular photographs, and we would like to showcase these images during our annual Photography Challenge. Anyone interested in sharing these images may submit up to ten (10) digitized entries for consideration in the Manatee County Natural Resources Department’s 11th Annual Photography Challenge! The top photos will be featured in a gallery presentation.
You may submit an entry of up to ten (10) photos by January 31st, 2026.
Please keep in mind:
- Please include contact information (physical address, email address, and phone number) and the name of the county park, preserve, or beach where the photo was taken.
- Finalists will be cropped and printed at 11"x14" so it is recommended you submit a similar aspect ratio. We will not be able to print panoramas.
- All entries must be taken within a Manatee County-managed park, preserve, or beach. Please see the list of sites below.
- All entries must be submitted in JPG format and a minimum of 500KB.
- Images of animals in distress because of possible interference or harassment will not be considered.
- Images depicting prohibited behaviors (including drone photography, people off-trail, and off-leash dogs) will not be considered.
- There is no fee to enter images.
Eligible Locations
All Manatee County Preserves, as well as Manatee County Parks with conservation areas, are eligible for submission.
Parks
- Bennett Park
- Conservatory Park
Preserves
- Duette Preserve
- Emerson Point Preserve
- Headwaters at Duette Preserve
- Jiggs Landing Preserve
- Johnson Preserve
- Leffis Key Preserve
- Moody Branch Preserve
- Neal Preserve
- Perico Preserve
- Riverview Pointe Preserve
- Robinson Preserve
- Rye Preserve
- Ungarelli Preserve
Beaches
- Anna Maria Bayfront Park
- Coquina Beach
- Manatee Beach Park
Contest Details
A notification will be sent to all participants with an invitation to view the photos at a special event where the winning photos will be revealed during a gallery presentation at Robinson Preserve on Friday, Feb 20, 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: The top photos will be featured in a gallery at Robinson Preserve. Some photos may be selected for the County’s annual wall calendar or featured prominently on the County’s website. Manatee County cannot return any photographs submitted to it. Submission of photographs or other images constitutes representation that the person making the submission has the legal authority to make the submission, and that Manatee County is granted permission to use the photographs or images without compensation in any of its print or web-based productions, including image databases and marketing materials. The County will make every effort to credit the artist, owner, or photographer in such materials. Manatee County will not sell or market any individual image to the general public.
2025 Photography Challenge Finalists