Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest 2025 (Win $2,500)

The Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest is now accepting entries. The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2025. This annual competition celebrates exceptional photography from around the world.

It features six distinct categories, including a new one marking the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Photographers of all levels are encouraged to participate for a chance to win cash prizes.

Celebrating Two Decades of Global Storytelling

The 2025 contest continues a twenty-year tradition. According to Smithsonian Magazine, readers have submitted over 470,000 images throughout the contest’s history. These photos have documented unique cultures and captured fleeting moments in nature.

The competition’s categories are designed to reflect the magazine’s core interests. They include Wildlife, Travel, People, and Artistic Images. The Drone/Aerial category also returns for stunning perspectives from above.

New Category Honors U.S. Semiquincentennial

A special category, “The American Experience at 250,” is a key addition for 2025. It seeks images that explore American identity and heritage ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Photos should tell stories about what it means to live in the United States.

This category aims to build a visual narrative of the country’s history and cultural legacy. It invites photographers to share their perspectives on the American experience. The winning images will contribute to this historic commemoration.

The Smithsonian Photo Contest 2025 offers a significant platform for visual storytellers to gain recognition. With a grand prize of $2,500, it highlights the power of photography to connect and inspire. The new category adds a timely and profound dimension to this prestigious competition.

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Thought you’d like to know

Who can enter the Smithsonian Photo Contest?

The contest is open to photographers aged 18 and older. Employees of the Smithsonian Institution and their immediate families are not eligible to win any prizes.

What are the contest categories?

There are six categories: Wildlife, Travel, People, The American Experience at 250, Artistic Images, and Drone/Aerial. The Artistic Images category allows for digitally manipulated photos.

What prizes are available for winners?

A $2,500 grand prize is awarded. Six category winners and one Readers’ Choice winner each receive $500. Only one cash prize is awarded per person.

What are the rules for photo eligibility?

All submitted photographs must have been taken by the entrant after January 1, 2023. The contestant must be the sole creator and copyright owner of the image.

How do I submit my photos?

Entries must be submitted through Smithsonianmag.com. The deadline is 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on December 1, 2025.