Celebrate Photographer Appreciation Month with Keep Iowa Beautiful’s 17th Annual Photography Contest

In recognition of October as Photographer Appreciation Month, Keep Iowa Beautiful is inviting photographers of all skill levels to enter the 17th Annual Keep Iowa Beautiful Photography Contest. The contest highlights the people and places that make Iowa unique—its landscapes, wildlife, and communities.

“The Keep Iowa Beautiful Photography Contest is an opportunity to celebrate Iowa’s photographers and the many ways they capture our state’s beauty,” said Andy Frantz, Executive Director of Keep Iowa Beautiful. “Their work reminds us of the pride Iowans have in their communities and the places they call home.”

Entries are open through Friday, December 11, 2026, and may be submitted in six categories:

• Iowa Landscape: Capture Iowa’s gorgeous landscapes, including but not limited to: farm fields, rolling hills, and wooded forests.
• Iowa Water: Feature Iowa’s beautiful water systems with photos of Iowa rivers, streams, ponds and lakes.
• Iowa Cities: Iowa’s urban centers are hubs of history, culture, and beauty. This category features images of Iowa’s cities, street scenes, and urban landmarks.
• Iowans In Action: This category aims to portray the spirit of Iowa through photos of the people that live, work, and play in Iowa. All means of action can be captured: biking, running, fishing, hunting and hiking are but a few.
• Iowa Wildlife: Iowa is home to a variety of beautiful critters. This category showcases Iowa’s beauty through pictures of Iowa’s wildlife animals: mammals, fish, birds, bugs and more!
• Hometown Pride: 100+ Iowa towns have participated in our “Hometown Pride” program. This category features images of Hometown Pride towns and/or photos of activities by Hometown Pride committees. Please review the list of Hometown Pride towns to see if your photo qualifies.

Prizes will be awarded in each of the six contest categories: $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place.

In February 2027, first-place photos will be shared on Keep Iowa Beautiful’s social media pages, where the public can vote for their favorite. The photo with the most votes will earn an additional $100 prize and the title of Public Favorite Photo.

At that same time, a panel of judges will select the winners of the Robert D. Ray Best of Show Awards, honoring the contest’s top overall photographs. Best of Show prizes include $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $100 for third place.

Back this year: a special Youth Award will be presented to one photographer in grades K–12 (age 18 or under). The youth winner will receive $100, and their photo will also be eligible for all other contest categories.

A $5 fee is required for each photo entered. Contest rules and entry guidelines can be found on Keep Iowa Beautiful’s website: https://keepiowabeautiful.org/photography-contest/.