I’m pleased to announce the opening of the Naturescapes 2013 Photography Contest and Exhibition! We start accepting entries on April 1^st. The contest is now in its ninth year. Naturescapes is co-sponsored by the Hill Country Photography Club and the Hays County Master Naturalists.

Goals of the contest and exhibit include increasing public awareness of the importance of protecting our natural world and giving photographers at all levels of experience a chance to capture, share, and receive recognition for beautiful and inspiring images. Suggested subjects include natural scenery, wildlife, plants, and people and pets in the natural environment.

The major update to the contest this year is that we’re accepting photographs taken in greenspaces and natural areas throughout Hays, Blanco, Comal, Guadalupe, Caldwell, and Travis Counties. In the past, we only accepted entries within Hays County, so we’re expecting more entrants and beautiful locations!

The contest is open to resident and visiting photographers of all ages. A $100 prize will be awarded for Best in Show, $75 for the best Youth Category photo, and $75 for the best Natural Waterscape photo. Up to four $50 Awards of Excellence will be presented for the next most outstanding photographs. Additional Awards of Merit will be presented at the discretion of the contest juror.

We’re especially pleased to have Chase Fountain as our juror. Chase is a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department staff photographer. His images have appeared in National Geographic Explorer Traveler, Men’s Journal, Tide, Prime, Texas Highway’s and Texas Monthly as well as the Associated Press.

Please visit the contest’s web page for complete information.

Here is the contest’s promotional postcard:

Naturescapes 2013 Postcard Front

Naturescapes 2013 Postcard Back

Grab your cameras, go outside, and take some photographs! Please help us spread the word about the contest and I hope to see your entries soon!