State Parks Recreational activities, park facilities, scenery or events held at any of Alabama's State Parks operated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Location must be indicated.

Birds of a Feather Native song birds, game birds, and raptors (includes hummingbirds). Shore birds should be entered in the Coastal Life category.

Watchable Wildlife Includes native mammals such as deer, squirrels, foxes and almost anything else with fur (pets and livestock excluded).

Cold-blooded Critters Includes turtles, frogs, snakes, lizards, salamanders and fish.

Bugs and Butterflies May include bugs, insects and arthropods. Bees, butterflies, centipedes, dragonflies and spiders fall into this category.

Sweet Home Alabama Photos in which natural landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent; site location required for this category.

Coastal Life Photos for this category can be anything related to Alabama’s beaches, southernmost bayous and piers. Photos taken of coastal birds, dolphins and beach animals such as crabs, jellyfish and starfish fall into this category. People saltwater fishing or casting nets should also be entered in this category.

Water under the Bridge Alabama has covered bridges, historic bridges and unusual bridges and we’re looking for photos that showcase them. Activities such as boating or fishing may be included in this category if a bridge is also in the photo.

Nature-Based Activities People enjoying recreation such as boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, camping (organized team sports are excluded).

Shoots and Roots Wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies, other parts of plants or trees (cultivated flowers, shrubs, etc. are excluded).

Advanced Amateur This category is for people who sell their work but are not full-time photographers. You may also fit into this category if you have a website or social media page dedicated to your photography; you have won a past Outdoor Alabama photo contest; your work has been recognized by others as professional; you sell your photographs even though you do not make most of your income from photography. Subject matter may include any of the above categories.

Young Photographers Youth through 15 years of age will compete amongst themselves in this category. Subject matter can be any of the categories. (Age 16 and up should enter any of the other categories.)