The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, ADCNR, announced Tuesday the winners of the 2026 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. The annual contest highlights some of the best photographers in the state as well as the beauty of Alabama’s natural landscapes and wildlife.
“Alabama is a uniquely beautiful state that offers a wide variety of outdoor photo options,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR commissioner. “From our abundant natural landscapes and native plants and wildlife to the many outdoor recreation opportunities that are available, Alabama is a photographer’s paradise. The images highlighted in this year’s contest once again showcase the reasons why Alabama is such a great place to live and work. Congrats to all of the winning photographers!”
Sponsors of the 2026 photo contest include Alabama State Parks, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association and the Alabama Tourism Department. Each winner will receive a prize pack and be featured in a traveling exhibit in 2026. When the traveling exhibit schedule is finalized, it will be posted online.
Click here to see the 2026 winning images.
Categories and Winners
Alabama State Parks
- 1st Place – Joe Miller, Sunset at Cheaha State Park
- 2nd Place – Matthew Crowell, Lake Guntersville State Park
- 3rd Place – Chase Steptoe, Sunset at Gulf State Park Pier
- Honorable Mention – Matthew Crowell, Buck’s Pocket State Park
Birds
- 1st Place – Christopher Baker, Great Blue Heron in Madison
- 2nd Place – Grace Simms, American Woodcock in Hoover
- 3rd Place – Christopher Baker, Kentucky Warbler in Huntsville
- Honorable Mention – Mike Monlezun, Green Heron Chicks in Baldwin County
Bugs and Butterflies
- 1st Place – Gary Anderson, Cicada in Huntsville
- 2nd Place – Mike Monlezun, Mantis in Baldwin County
- 3rd Place – Richard Dowling, Halloween Pennant Dragonfly in Montgomery
- Honorable Mention – Virginia Mitchell, Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly in Springville
Cold-Blooded Critters
- 1st Place – Mike Monlezun, Box Turtle in Baldwin County
- 2nd Place – Seth Patterson, Chattooga River Crayfish at Choccolocco WMA
- 3rd Place – Nancy Morrison, American Bullfrog in Owens Cross Roads
- Honorable Mention – Christopher Baker, Southern Leopard Frog in Huntsville
Nature-Based Recreation
- 1st Place – Arthur Davis, Fishing in Baldwin County
- 2nd Place – Chase Steptoe, Wipeout at Orange Beach
- 3rd Place – Chase Steptoe, Fly Fishing at Gulf Shores
- Honorable Mention – Kate Gibbs, A Day in the Field
Scenic
- 1st Place – Matthew Crowell, Lake Guntersville in Scottsboro
- 2nd Place – Scott Golab, Avenue of the Oaks in Mobile
- 3rd Place – Benjamin Rollings, Milky Way at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
- Honorable Mention – Christopher Baker, Holmes Chapel Falls in the Bankhead National Forest
Shoots and Roots
- 1st Place – Stephanie Pluscht, White-topped Pitcher Plant Flower in Foley
- 2nd Place – Joe Miller, Mushrooms in Oneonta
- 3rd Place – Arthur Davis, Pickerel Weed Flower in Daphne
- Honorable Mention – Stephanie Pluscht, Threadleaf Sundew in Foley
Sweet Home Alabama
- 1st Place – Drew Senter, Natural Bridge in Winston County
- 2nd Place – Bob Phillips, Jr., Fireworks at Vulcan Park in Birmingham
- 3rd Place – Scott Golab, Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley
- Honorable Mention – Benjamin Rollings, Middle Bay Lighthouse on Mobile Bay
Wildlife
- 1st Place – Jordan Whitis, White-Tailed Buck at Lake Guntersville State Park
- 2nd Place – James Hybart, III, Chipmunk in Monroe County
- 3rd Place – Michelle White, Groundhog in Tuscaloosa
- Honorable Mention – Timothy Huber, White-tailed Doe with Fawn in Blount County
Young Photographers
- 1st Place – Fisher Cook (age 17), Common Snapping Turtle in McCalla
- 2nd Place – Fisher Cook (age 17), Blue Crab on Dauphin Island
- 3rd Place – Fisher Cook (age 17), Cope’s Gray Treefrog in Birmingham
- Honorable Mention – Joanna Junaid (age 17), General W.K. Wilson Jr. Bridge in Mobile County
More information about the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest is available online.
