Photo Contest | Arizona Highways

2026 Adventures in Nature Student Photo Contest

“Reprieve” by Max Tuttle/Honorable Mention in the 2025 student photo contest, is a photo of a green and purple hummingbird against a dark backdrop.

Photograph by Max Tuttle

The Nature Conservancy in Arizona, in partnership with Arizona Highways Magazine, presents the 13^th annual “Adventures in Nature” student photo contest! Students aged 13-18 are invited to enter up to two photos that capture Arizona’s beauty and wildlife for a chance to win cash prizes. The contest is open for submissions between March 1^st and March 31^st, 2026, and the top 10 winners will be announced on a virtual awards ceremony on April 16^th, 2026. All contestants will receive a Zoom invitation by email. See last year’s winners here.

Prizes:
1^st place — $5,000
2^nd place — $2,500
3^rd place — $1,000
7 honorable mentions — $250 each

Please view the updated OFFICIAL RULES before submitting entries.

Photo

One file only.
5 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png.

Arizona Location of Photo

Photos must be of locations in Arizona.

Title of Entry

Description

Enter short description of photograph

Camera Information

Your Name

Enter your name (required)

Your Age

Enter email address

Parent/Guardian Email

Enter Parent/Guardian email address (required)

Instagram or Facebook Handle

Phone Number

Enter your phone number

Parent/Guardian Phone Number

Enter Parent/Guardian phone number (required)

Address

Address 2

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Country

Photo Submission Limit of Two (2) (REQUIRED)

I agree to the contest rules and understand that submitting more than two photos or submitting unoriginal work will result in disqualification.

PARENTAL PERMISSION WAIVER (REQUIRED)

As the parent or legal guardian of the minor participant listed above, I hereby agree to the above terms individually myself and on the minor participant's behalf. I further agree that I will be responsible for supervising the minor child for all activities relating to this photography. I release, indemnify and hold harmless The Nature Conservancy and its officers, directors, agents and employees from any and all claims that I or the minor participant may now or hereafter have against any of the aforementioned parties arising out of or in connection with this photography event, including without limitation, any and all claims for invasion of privacy, infringement of any right of publicity, defamation, and any other personal, privacy, and/or property rights or any other rights of any kind. By signing below, I agree to all the terms of this Liability Release and Waiver agreement on behalf of myself and the minor participant listed below.

GALLERY

Displaying 1 - 12 of 43

Photo by Jai Turner

This photo is on a apple farm, with berry and plants growing on a farm the plants are supported by wooden posts and wires and many white berries hanging from the branches.The green grassy path runs directly down the middle between the rows.

Location: Apple Annie's Orchard in Willcox, AZ,

Photo by Olivia Torrington

I took this photo in Flagstaff after it had just rained. The clouds were starting to break and a rainbow appeared across the sky above the trees and field. I liked how the rainbow stretched across almost the whole frame and contrasted with the darker clouds behind it. The green grass and forest help make the colors of the rainbow stand out even more. It felt like a calm moment right after the storm had passed.

I wanted the photo to capture how nature can feel peaceful after a storm. The rainbow almost acts like a bridge between the clouds and the land, creating a sense of hope and quiet beauty. When people look at this photo I hope they notice the balance between the dramatic sky and the calm landscape and feel the same peaceful moment that I experienced when I took it.

Location: flagstaff

Photo by Ellie von Kolen

This was taken after a family dinner on the porch at my grandmother's house.

Location: Forest Highlands Golf Club

Photo by Kate Williams

The photo, taken at sunset with the beautiful Central Phoenix homes that incapsulate the beauty of a casual weeknight.

Location: Central Phoenix House in Phoenix Arizona

Photo by Ellie von Kolen

I took this photograph when I was on a hike with a friend. This is my favorite time of day in Arizona because the sky never fails to be painted with color.

Location: Cholla Trail near Camelback Mountain