

Welcome to our 2024 Mississippi Sound photo competition!
This competition is meant to highlight the beauty and biodiversity of nature within our Mississippi Sound watershed! Whether you’re a professional photographer or an enthusiastic hobbyist, this is your chance to share your unique perspective and highlight the natural wonders of our region.
Submissions have closed for the 2024 photography contest.
Browse Our 2024 Winners & Top Entries for Each Category

- All photos must be taken within our Mississippi Sound watershed pictured here
- Photos must be less than 10 MB
- Each entrant can submit up to 3 photographs per category
- Do not submit exact or similar images across the categories
- Each photo will need its own entry
- Write a short description of each photo
- Deadline for submitting photos will be September 30, 2024
- Winners announced October 4, 2024

First place winners of each category will receive marketing acknowledgment and a swag bag containing a reusable shopping bag, MSEP t-shirt, notebook, stickers, and bamboo cutlery. Top 10 photo entries of each category will be displayed on our website for public access.

Whilst the photographer will retain the copyright of the photograph, the Mississippi Sound Estuary Program reserves the right to use the entries for our Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan or digital and print marketing materials.
Photo Entry Categories:

Native Plants
Whether it’s the stunning blossoms of the Southern magnolia, the delicate beauty of pine lilies, or the rare carnivorous plants, your photos can help showcase the rich biodiversity that thrives in our region. So grab your camera, explore the lush landscapes, and let your lens capture the essence of Mississippi’s botanical wonders. Together, we can celebrate and protect the extraordinary flora that makes our watershed areas so special.

Wildlife
Mississippi is home to a variety of distinct wildlife that deserve a moment in the spotlight.
Whether it’s capturing the elegant flight of a great blue heron over a serene wetland or the playful antics of river otters splashing in a stream, each snapshot tells a unique story. Even the industrious beaver building its dam or the elusive bobcat prowling through the underbrush, contribute to the rich tapestry of Mississippi’s natural world. So grab your camera, venture into the wild, and let your lens reveal the hidden wonders of this beautiful state.

Landscapes
Showcase the diverse landscapes within the Mississippi watershed. Coastal bogs and savannahs, barrier islands, lush wetlands, longleaf pine forests, and river swamp forests are just a few of the notable ecosystems that are within our watershed. Your contributions can inspire others to cherish and protect these invaluable landscapes. By capturing the essence of our natural world, you become a steward of the environment, encouraging sustainable practices and a greater understanding of the delicate balance that sustains us all.

Community Connections
Capture the vibrant moments where humans and nature intertwine. Whether it’s the communal joy of a family picnic beneath ancient oaks or the thrill of reeling in a catch, we seek images that tell the story of our symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Share your moments of wonder and connection, and help us celebrate the splendor of the natural world all around us.

Macro Photography
We encourage you to capture the intricate details and unique characteristics of insects, spiders, and other small organisms that play a crucial role in Mississippi. Whether it’s the delicate wings of a butterfly, the complex patterns on a beetle’s shell, or the fascinating structures of a spider’s web, your photos can highlight the extraordinary world of these essential creatures. Let’s celebrate the unsung heroes of nature through your lens and inspire others to appreciate and protect the biodiversity that sustains us all.

