Thanks To Everyone Who Participated In Our Contest!
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To View The Winners
Over $2,500 In Prizes Available!
Photo Contest
Multiple Categories • Multiple Awards
Thanks To Everyone Who Participated In Our Contest!
You are able to enter up to five (5) photos per category (50, in total for the contest), provided that none of them were entered in a previous year’s edition of the contest. Please note that if you enter a photo in one category, it may not be entered in another – you can only enter it once. All photos entered will be considered for the Best Overall and Fan Favorite prize. For a complete list of FAQ’s, click here. For complete photo contest rules and criteria, click here.
Prizes Available:
• $200 Best Photo In Each Category
• $200 Best Overall Photo
• $100 Fan Favorite Photo
In addition, all five category finalists as selected by the judges will receive an "ETX Traveler" prize package.
Entering the contest is FREE, but the Texas Forest Trail would greatly appreciate your support. As a 501(c)(3) charity organization, donations are always welcome and go to support our efforts in promoting East Texas. If you would like to support our cause, please click here for a number of ways in which you can donate.
Here Are The Categories We Are Accepting Entries For:
Spring/Summer In ETX
Share your photos that capture the beauty of ETX in the Spring/Summer. Maybe it’s fields of wildflowers, your favorite fishing spot or the kids experiencing their hometown past times. Share the places or moments in time that represent our neck of the woods.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Fall/Winter In ETX
Share your photos that capture the beauty of ETX in the Fall/Winter The changing leaves and occasional snowfall turn ETX into a beautiful backdrop for activity in cooler weather. Share what you do when the cooler weather comes around.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Tyler Through My Window
Tyler is growing and flourishing right before our eyes. Take photos of the beautiful life in Tyler, Texas as you see it. This might be eating at a restaurant, enjoying live entertainment, public art displays, and more!
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Nacogdoches - It's In Our Nature
Celebrate everyday life in historic Nacogdoches! Take photos that represent your unique perspective of the oldest town in Texas. From college students to business owners, we welcome a variety of different views.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
East Texas Historical Sites
East Texas is home to many historic sites including those designated by the Texas Historical Commission. Submit photos from your visit and be a part of sharing our rich history from the past. To view a summary of the designated historic sites in East Texas, click here.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
The Great Outdoors In Palestine
Share your photos of outside activities like riding the vintage trains at the Palestine Depot, enjoying beautiful sunshine during the Fairy Garden trail, .or experiencing the nature that surrounds Palestine.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Only In Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore, AKA "The city of stars" would like you to submit your photos of the attractions, museums, festivals, places, and scenes that can only be experienced in Kilgore.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Port Arthur's Unique Life
From coastal activities to peaceful marshes, lakes, a historical site, bridges, museums and temples, Port Arthur encompasses a variety of unique experiences. Let your photos offer your perspective on this distinct area.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
The Beauty Of Deep East Texas
Submit photos that highlight the hardworking people of deep East Texas (must be in the following counties: Angelina, Nacogdoches, Sabine, Tyler, Newton, San Jacinto, San Augustine, Jasper, Houston, Shelby, Trinity, & Polk).
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is sponsored by:
Category Prize
Trade Street Signs For Trail Markers
East Texas has some of the most beautiful parks and forests in Texas. We want to see how you view these amazing areas - the lakes, camping, fishing, outdoor recreation, and the wildlife...to name a few.
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is in support of:
Winner in this category will receive $200.
This category is in support of:
Category Prize
A big East Texas thank you goes out to all of the sponsors for this contest. Without them, this contest would not be possible.
Best Photo In Contest Sponsor:
Fan Favorite Sponsor:
Category Sponsors:
Photo Contest FAQ's
Photos fitting into any of the contest categories will be eligible provided that they were taken in the 35 counties that encompass the Texas Forest Trail Region in East Texas. The 35 counties are:
Angelina • Anderson • Bowie • Camp • Case • Cherokee • Gregg • Franklin • Hardin • Harrison • Henderson • Houston • Jasper • Jefferson • Marion • Montgomery • Morris • Nacogdoches • Newton • Orange • Panola • Polk • Red River • Rusk • Sabine • San Augustine • San Jacinto • Shelby • Smith • Titus • Trinity • Tyler • Upshur • Walker • Wood
Photos from any year are eligible for entry provided that they have not been
entered in an earlier year’s edition of the contest. If you have good photos taken in the
past, you are urged to enter them.
The contest is restricted to digital photographs, but you may convert your non-digital photos to a digital format to make them eligible for entry.
Yes, any photographer is eligible to enter the contest as long as the photo was taken in East Texas.
Will I be eligible to enter, even if I’ve been a winner in a previous year’s edition of the contest?
Yes, all photographers are welcomed and encouraged to enter, including winners of previous contests.
We can’t promise you this, but every attempt will be made to give credit when reasonably possible.
A panel of East Texans will evaluate each entry for creativity, wow factor, and theme related composure.
You will be able to enter up to five (5) photos per category, provided that none of them were entered in a previous year’s edition of the contest. That means you can enter a total of 50 photos – so get that camera out!
This year, we will be running our contest from September 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021.
Photos must be submitted in .jpg format. Large format photos (original size) are requested as they provide better clarity and resolution of the photo.
Any manipulation of images must be limited to cropping and minor adjustments of color and contrast. Any other manipulation will make the photo ineligible for entry.
You must be the original owner of the copyright for your photo to be eligible for entry, and you will retain this copyright. By submitting an entry, you will give permission for royalty-free use of your entered photograph for publicity, display, and fund-raising.
The winners will be announced once the contest closes. Check back on texas.dream.press for updates on the contest.
Please feel free to contact the Texas Forest Trail via our contact us page by clicking here
For complete photo contest rules and criteria, click here