Northwest Exposure Photo Contest Tips
Whether you've entered the Northwest Exposure Photo Contest in previous years or if this is your first time, it always helps to have some tips for capturing a winning photo. Images can hold a lot of power, and we want to ensure that the photos we feature highlight hiking and camping practices that set good examples for everyone who sees them. Below, you'll find advice from our judges and staff, including updated guidelines for the 2024 photo contest.
What we love to see
To celebrate the beauty of the entire state, we encourage you to enter photos that represent the rich diversity of Washington’s trails, landscapes and hiking community. For example, iconic spots like Mount Rainier or Mount Baker are incredible, but the geology of Eastern Washington or a backyard trail close to home can be equally as stunning.
- In the Trailscapes category, we love to see a trail in the shot. Show us the landscapes you visited any season of the year and consider how you can capture a unique moment in the ever-changing year. We also can't wait to hear your trail stories. Consider working the trail into the story of your photograph to give it some added context.
- The Trail Family category is all about your hiking crew. Close-ups, group shots and fun moments are the keys to winning this category. We love to see smiles and laughter, so we recommend capturing moments where we can see faces to show who makes up the trail community.
- Flora and Fauna can be one of the more challenging categories to photograph because it sometimes relies on luck and can take a lot of patience. When it comes to wildlife, we only want to see photos that were taken from a safe and respectful distance. We also want to see a wide variety of flora and fauna subjects. Large animals like goats and bears are spectacular subjects, but don’t forget that the little things in nature like leaves, insects and wildflowers can also make for unforgettable photos.
- The Hikers in Action category is meant to feature unique shots both from camp and on the trail. We love to see action shots of hikers and campers, whether that's cooking a good meal in camp, studying a map/GPS, setting up a tent, or hiking (or hopping or skipping!) along the trail.
- Trails Next Door: Show us your favorite trail near you! We’d love to see the trails close to your heart and home. We can't wait to see your favorite tails in your "backyard". We welcome photos in this category taken on trails that are:
- In walking distance of your home or community and/or
- Most often enjoyed by people who live in the immediate vicinity
We can’t wait to see your favorite trails in your “backyard.”
The Instagram bonus category is back in 2024! This is an open category, so any photos from your hiking, camping or backpacking experiences are welcome. To enter, follow @washingtontrails and use the hashtag #nwexposure2024. Photos must be uploaded to Instagram and tagged between August 12 and October 6 to be eligible.
A great example of a Trail Family entry. We love seeing folks enjoy time together on trail. We also love Yahtzee. Photo by Edward De La Fuente.
USE THE TOOLS YOU HAVE
Northwest Exposure this contest is open to photographers of all experience levels. Whether you’re working with your phone, a camera you’ve had for a long time, or a piece of gear you’ve recently invested in, you can take incredible photos with the equipment you already have.
STAY ON THE TRAIL
Please do not trample delicate flora to get a nice shot. As a rule, the Northwest Exposure judges will only advance a photo to the finalist round if it depicts hikers staying on the trail or on a durable surface (like snow or rock) and practicing good Leave No Trace principles.
Hikers enjoy a beautiful day at Mount Rainier while keeping wildflowers pristine by staying on trail. Photo by Jim Culp
Dogs must be on leash
It's good etiquette to keep your dog on leash when hiking, and on some trails it's the law. Please keep dogs on leash for photos that are entered in the photo contest. Judges will only advance photos of dogs who are leashed.
camps and campfires
Any tents pictured should be placed on a durable surface and camps should be Leave No Trace compliant. Any campfires depicted in photos must have taken place in contained fire rings at locations where they are legal and there are no burn bans. We want to show off your beautiful campsites, and your good backpacking and camping practices will help us encourage others to do the same.
swimming
Taking a dip in a lake after a hike is a refreshing way to unwind. When choosing a swimming hole, be sure that it large enough to handle the impact and has an outflow. This helps keep the ecosystem in pristine condition for the local flora and fauna and for future hikers.
photographing wildlife
Never feed wildlife or bait animals with food to get a better picture. Consider distance an opportunity to frame a beautiful shot when photographing wildlife. There are many reasons why feeding wildlife is detrimental, so we ask that all photos showing wildlife be shot from a respectful distance both for your safety and that of the incredible critters you're photographing.
A marmot enjoying the view and distance from the photographer at Mount Rainier. Photo by Sawyer Buyagawan
lookouts
Lookouts are incredibly popular destinations, and for good reason. They're scenic and can make incredible focal points for catching sunrises and sunsets. When you visit or camp in a lookout, please ensure that the lookout in question is legally open for a visit or for camping. Also, be sure to follow any rules that are posted at the lookout for the duration of your stay and leave the lookout in the same condition (or better) than you found it.
Drone photography
While drones can be amazing tools for scientists and storytellers alike, we do not allow drone photography in Northwest Exposure Photo Contest. Due to the wide variety of regulations on different public lands in Washington state it is difficult to monitor whether photos were taken with all necessary permits. To learn more about how drones can be both powerful tools as well as the potential risks of their use, read our guide to drones.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
We do not accept any images created with any artificial intelligence (AI) image generation software
Looking for more info on the contest? Check out the FAQ to get answers to some common questions.