The Chesapeake Bay Foundation invites local photographers of all skill levels to submit their work for its annual Save the Bay Photo Contest.
Photos should show the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. They can include the plants, animals, and people that call the Bay and immediate surroundings home. The images can depict water, wildlife, recreation, farms, and flora from across the Bay region, which includes Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
Don’t let beginner status or lack of experience deter you – all skill levels are encouraged and welcome to participate.
“It doesn’t take a professional eye to recognize the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Jennifer Wallace, CBF’s senior creative project manager and contest organizer. “Each year I am amazed by the spectacular submissions we receive from all different states, viewpoints, ages, and backgrounds. These images move people and play a critical role in our mission to Save the Bay.”
In 2024, Diane Leasure of Edgewater, Maryland took the prize with a photo of pelicans on Smith Island.
“Memorializing the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and its wildlife in their natural settings is a joy for any photographer, and it is a pleasure sharing the moment of time captured in each image with others,” Leasure said.
The mission of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is to “Save the Bay” and keep it saved, aiming for a score of 70 on CBF’s Health Index. In 2022 that score was 32 (D+). There are significant improvements in some areas, but not others. According to the EPA, for example, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are not on track to meet commitments to reduce Chesapeake Bay pollution by 2025. On the other hand, the Bay is healthier thanks to the six billion oysters that have been added to the estuary since 2017.
For the 2025 photo contest, entries can be submitted from now through March 29. They will be narrowed down by a CBF panel based on subject matter, composition, focus, lighting, uniqueness, and impact. The images will then be made available to the public to vote on their favorite in the Viewer’s Choice Gallery from April 7 to April 25.
Winners will receive a one-year CBF membership and cash prizes ranging from $100 to $500. Winning photographs will also be featured on CBF’s website, social media, 2026 calendar, and award-winning Save the Bay magazine.
For more information and submission instructions, click this link.
