The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service announced the winners of the 2023 Florida State Parks Photo Contest. This year’s contest had three competitive divisions: Professional/Hobbyist, Student and Mobile Phone.
The contest provides an opportunity for people to explore their favorite parks and win prizes for future adventures, as well as create memories in Florida’s state parks. Winners receive prize packages including outdoor gear and Florida State Parks merchandise.
“We received thousands of outstanding photos this year, making it challenging to select just three winners. What makes Florida State Parks so special, our diversity of wildlife, flora and geography, has been captured perfectly in these photos,” said Chuck Hatcher, director of the Florida Park Service, in a news release.
Florida’s 175 state parks, trails and historic sites offer beautiful backdrops for recreational and nature-based photos. The 2023 contest asked residents and visitors to “Capture the Real Florida” and nearly 3,800 high-quality photos were submitted, the release says.
These are the first-place winners for the 2023 contest:
Professional/Hobbyist: “Morning Glow” by John Hootman. Photo taken at Manatee Springs State Park near Chiefland.
Student: “It Never Ceases” by Hope Bartlin, student at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Photo taken at Hillsborough River State Park.
Mobile Phone: “Reflection” by Tiffany Grandstaff. Photo taken at Honeymoon Island State Park.
To view all the finalists and winners, visit FloridaStateParks.org/PhotoContest-2023.
The 2024 photo contest will open this summer.
Published March 20, 2024
