Photo Contest

Photo Contest Categories:

• Shorelines & Sunsets – From golden sunsets over the Great Lakes to peaceful moments along sandy shores, capture the beauty and serenity of Michigan’s waterfronts.
• Vibrant Communities – Celebrate the places and people that bring Michigan to life, from lively festivals and downtown districts to local traditions and hidden gems.
• Michigan Through the Seasons – Showcase the ever-changing beauty of Michigan, highlighting the colors, activities, and moments that make every season special.
• Into the Wild – Capture the untamed side of Michigan through breathtaking landscapes, scenic trails, and wildlife encounters in the state’s great outdoors.
• Family Adventures – Share the moments that make memories last, from lakeside vacations and outdoor excursions to fun-filled experiences enjoyed together.

Prize Details: 

All winning photos will be featured in the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide publication in early 2027. Check out the additional fun prizes below, which will get you out and about to experience some of our favorite things in West Michigan! Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Public Vote, Shorelines & Sunsets, Vibrant Communities, Michigan through the Seasons, Into the Wild, and Family Adventures.

• Public Vote Winner: The Highlands at Harbor Springs Package (Includes: 2 Night Sunday through Thursday Stay & Two-Day Ski Passes & Rentals)
• Shorelines & Sunsets: 2 Complimentary passes for 3 people in a canoe or 2 people tubing down the Lower Platte River from Riverside Canoe Trips.
• Vibrant Communities: A $300 lodging gift card for a Visit Charlevoix member property, a Castle Farms Tour for 2, and a Mushroom House Tour for 2.
• Michigan through the Seasons: A 2-Night Stay at Shanty Creek Resort.
• Into the Wild: A Day at the Zoo Package from Binder Park Zoo (Includes: 4 admission tickets with parking, 4 SkyLark Ridge ropes course tickets, 4 tickets for the Z.O. & O. train, 4 tickets for the Conservation Carousel, 2 tickets for a bundle of lettuce at the Twiga giraffe feeding deck, and 4 Binder Park Zoo themed stickers.)
• Family Adventures: Coldwater Country Tourism Family Prize Package ($50 Jeannie's Diner, $75 El Cundado Mexican Cuisine, 4 passes for Capri Drive-in entry & $50 concessions stand, 4 Adventure Zone wristbands for 5 activities each (mini golf, laser tag, go-karts, etc.) + $25 concessions stand.) 

Photo Contest Sponsors:

Thank you to the below businesses for donating a prize for this year’s West Michigan Photo Contest.

By entering the 2026 West Michigan Photo Contest, entrants agree to the rules and the decisions of the judges and further agree to allow the West Michigan Tourist Association to use their names and/or photos for marketing purposes without compensation. By entering this contest, you assert that the photograph(s) you submit are your work, and you have appropriate permissions to share the photograph(s) for this contest, including permissions from any people included in your photograph. Photos should not be images that have been submitted to a previous WMTA West Michigan Photo Contest.

Entrants must be at least 18 years old.