Help raise awareness of the beauty and importance of Florida’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems by participating in the Florida Wildlife Federation’s annual photo contest. We invite photographers of all skill levels to capture the essence of Florida’s natural wonders and showcase the need for their conservation and protection.
Lou Kellenberger FWF Photo Contest
2025 Theme: Florida in Focus
Florida is home to some of the most extraordinary wildlife, habitats, and natural places in the country. From rare native plants to wide open wetlands and the wild creatures that depend on them, there’s so much that makes Florida special—and we want to see it through your lens.
This year’s theme is Florida in Focus, and we’re inviting photographers of all experience levels to highlight what makes our state truly unique. Whether it’s the vibrant flash of a bird in flight, the quiet beauty of native flora, or the joy of exploring Florida’s outdoors, your photos can help tell the story of why protecting wild Florida matters.
Categories
The 2025 contest categories are: Wildlife, Birds, Native Plants, Recreation, and Landscapes. For full details, please refer to ‘Rules & Eligibility‘ above.
Prizes
Winning photographs will be announced in July on the Florida Wildlife Federation website and featured in the August issue of Conservation Connection, our monthly e-newsletter. First and second place winners will also be published in the 2026 Florida Wildlife Federation Calendar, a special edition celebrating our 90th anniversary.
Four winners will be selected in each category:
1st Place
- $300 Visa gift card
- Winning photograph published in the 2026 90th Anniversary FWF Calendar
- FWF merchandise
Runner-Up (2nd Place)
- Winning photograph published in the 2026 90th Anniversary FWF Calendar
- Florida State Parks annual pass
- FWF merchandise
Finalist (3rd Place)
- FWF merchandise
Honorable Mention
- Featured on our website, in our monthly newsletter, and across FWF’s social media channels
New for 2025: Lucky Lens & Public’s Choice Prizes
This year, we’re introducing two additional opportunities to win:
Lucky Lens Prize
Just by entering the 2025 Photo Contest, you’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win our Lucky Lens Prize. Each entrant automatically will receive one entry total, regardless of the number of submissions.
One lucky participant will be selected at random to receive:
- Florida State Parks Annual Family Pass
- FWF Merchandise
Public’s Choice Winner
A public voting period will open during the final weeks of the contest, giving visitors the chance to view submissions and vote for their favorite photo.
Voting will close when the contest submission period ends. The photo with the most votes at that time will be named the Public’s Choice Winner and will receive:
- Florida State Parks Annual Family Pass
- FWF merchandise
All winners will be recognized on the FWF website, social media, and in our monthly e-newsletter Conservation Connection. Winners will be notified by email (and phone, if available).
Please note: The Florida Wildlife Federation reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if any listed item becomes unavailable.
Meet Louis P. Kellenberger, Jr.
The Lou Kellenberger Florida Wildlife Federation Photo Contest is named in memory of past board member and friend Louis P. Kellenberger, Jr., who passed away on June 28, 2016. Lou had served on the Florida Wildlife Federation Board of Directors.
Lou’s great passion was digital photography, and he could often be found in the field at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, Maclay Gardens State Park or Wakulla Springs State Park. He assisted us, alongside his wife Betsy, with our Photo Contest by serving as judges.
