Florida State Parks has announced the winners of its 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest, recognizing outstanding photography that highlights the state’s parks and natural sites.
This year’s contest included five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters—a new category created in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Each category awarded a Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice Award. The contest attracted thousands of entries from across Florida.
“Every year, our visitors capture breathtaking moments that remind us why our state parks are among the most treasured places in the country,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “Thank you to everyone who shared their images. I invite all Floridians to get out and discover our state parks and maybe even grab that perfect shot.”
The Grand Prize winners for each category were as follows:
– Shane Carrol won in Landscapes with “Not Alone,” taken at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park.
– Dawn Campbell won in Waterscapes with “Early Dawn” at Silver Springs State Park.
– Michelle Huguet won in Wildlife with “Eyes of the Forest” at Myakka River State Park.
– Heather Bossowski won in Park Adventures with “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers” at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area.
– Valleri Ames won in Historic Encounters with “Echoes of Bulow Plantation” at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park.
Winning photographs—including Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice—can be viewed on the contest’s official webpage. Each Grand Prize recipient received a $1,000 B&H Photo gift card, an annual pass to Florida State Parks, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hammock.
Starting this month, winning photos will be displayed at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park during its Winter Waterland celebration.
Florida is home to 175 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites. These areas offer diverse wildlife and ecosystems for photographers of all experience levels. The photo contest is organized in collaboration with Tyler Technologies, which provides reservation services for overnight stays at Florida’s state parks.
The next photo contest period begins January 1, 2026. Submissions can be uploaded starting November 2026 through the contest portal. Photographers are encouraged to spend time throughout the year capturing their best park experiences for entry consideration.
According to information from Florida State Parks here, these sites span more than 815,000 acres across over 100 miles of beaches and more than 3,000 miles of multi-use trails. The system has received four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management since 1999—the first such recognition for any U.S. park service—and aims to provide recreation opportunities while supporting local economies and community pride.
More details about park locations and events are available at www.FloridaStateParks.org.
