2026 Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest

Sponsored by Pro Photo Supply & The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

2026 Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest

Introducing the 20th Annual Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Photo Contest!

Brought to you by Pro Photo Supply and the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

CATEGORIES:

• BIRDS – Birds and waterfowl in their natural habitat.
• WILDLIFE – Any wildlife other than birds – mammals, amphibians, fish, insects, reptiles, and invertebrates in their natural habitat.
• PLANT LIFE – Trees, grasses, flowers, fungi, mushrooms, and other flora in their natural habitat.
• LANDSCAPE & STRUCTURES – The refuge contains a mosaic of scenic views, including iconic structures such as the Cathlapotle Plankhouse.
• High School Students – Subject can be any of the adult categories (birds, wildlife, plant life, and landscape & structure).

 

CATEGORY PRIZES:

1st Place [in each category]:

• $150 Pro Photo Supply Digital Gift Card
• Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Birdfest
• 12 x18 high-quality digital print

Honorable Mention:

• Inclusion in Gallery Showing at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge Birdfest
• 12 x18 high quality digital print

 

Submission Requirements

• All image file entries must be digital uploads only.
• Image files must be submitted in JPG format.
• Each file should be approximately 1500 x 2100 at 300dpi in jpg format only.
• Please keep file sizes no larger than 10MB.
• This contest is open to photographers both Professional and Amateur,  aged High School or older.
• You must submit one (1) image at a time.
• Each contestant may submit up to six (6) digital images total.
• These six (6) images can be submitted to all the same category or can be across different categories.
• Image files must be submitted in JPG format by 11:59 PM on August 3rd , 2026.
• No watermarks of any kind can be placed on the photo submissions.
• Photos must have been taken within areas of the Refuge that are open to the public during public accessible hours.
• Any refuge scene whether wildlife, plants, or scenic landscape are eligible.
• Color and/or black & white images are allowed.
• Elements or objects not in original scene should not be added.
• Limited image modifications are allowed.
• Watermarks, signatures, or copyright notices MUST be removed prior to submission.
• If submission rules are not followed, the application and images may not be judged and/or disqualified.

 

Submission Deadline: August 3, 2026

• Photographers retain ownership of all copyrights. However, entrants who are chosen as the winner of the 1st Place Category or Honorable Mention prizes in this contest, automatically give Pro Photo Supply and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge a non-exclusive, irrevocable license without charge to reproduce and display the image in any electronic, optical, physical, or other medium; to modify its size and resolution; and to use your name as the photographer, without notification or compensation. (e.i. Your image may be used on promotional materials such as puzzles, mugs, shirts, postcards, and calendars for Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge)
• Photographers of non-winning photographs may be contacted, either by Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge or Pro Photo Supply, after the close of the contest to attain permission to use their photograph and name as the photographer.
• No one photographer may have more than one winning entry. Five (5) winning entries and Five (5) honorable mention entries for the Photo Contest will be selected.
• All Finalists will be notified by email a week or so before the public announcement in October and may be required to resubmit their winning image in high resolution. See the requirements above.
• All winning entries will be announced on Pro Photo Supply’s Instagram page and other social platforms and prizes will be awarded sometime toward the end of September, 2026. All prizes will be shipped to winner’s regardless of location.
• The contest is open to all photographers both professional and non-professional. Must be a resident of the US.

 

Note, submissions will be due August 3, 2026! These dates are earlier than we usually do this contest. This way, we will have more time to prepare to celebrate the winners of our contests (yes, plural!) at BirdFest & Bluegrass, and do more fun things to share your photos with our followers.

Winners of both contests will be able to view their photo prints at BirdFest & Bluegrass, Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center!

The 2025 winners are soon to be located in the entrance to the Ridgefield NWR Community Nature Center, starting summer 2026! Until then, you can see them next door, in the welcome area of the Administration Building.

 

All photos and graphics are under copyright by photographers and the Friends of Ridgefield NWR. Please do not use photos without written permission from the copyright holders.

2025 Birds Category

2025 Landscape Category

2025 Plant Life Category

2025 Wildlife Category

2025 Youth Category