Florida State Parks has announced the winners of its 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest, which drew thousands of entries from across the state. The contest featured five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters—a new category introduced to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks, commented on the event: “Every year, our visitors capture breathtaking moments that remind us why our state parks are among the most treasured places in the country. 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:
– Landscapes: Shane Carrol for “Not Alone,” taken at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park in Sanderson.
– Waterscapes: Dawn Campbell for “Early Dawn,” taken at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala.
– Wildlife: Michelle Huguet for “Eyes of the Forest,” taken at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.
– Park Adventures: Heather Bossowski for “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers,” taken at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach.
– Historic Encounters: Valleri Ames for “Echoes of Bulow Plantation,” taken at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park in Ormond Beach.
All winning photographs—including Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and People’s Choice selections—are available for viewing on the Photo Contest webpage. Each Grand Prize winner received a $1,000 B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Annual Pass, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hammock.
Starting this month, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will display the winning photos during its Winter Waterland celebration.
Florida’s network includes 175 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites. These locations provide opportunities to observe wildlife and natural landscapes while supporting photographers of all ages and skill levels. The contest is held with support from Tyler Technologies, which manages reservations for overnight stays within Florida’s state park system.
Looking ahead to next year’s competition cycle, photographers can begin capturing images starting January 1, 2026. The submission portal will open in November 2026.
Valleri Ames’ photo “Echoes of Bulow Plantation” was recognized as the Grand Prize winner in the Historic Encounters Category.
