NCWF Announces 7th Annual Photo Contest Winners
Photographers across the state perfectly captured the beauty and diversity of our state’s natural resources for North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s 7th Annual Wildlife Photography Contest.
NCWF received over 1,000 submissions from wildlife and nature photographers highlighting North Carolina’s wildlife and habitat – from the coast to the mountains. Categories included Critters, People in Nature, Scenes of North Carolina and Pollinators and Insects, and were anonymously presented to a panel of 15 judges to determine who would be this years winners and honorable mentions.
Winning contest photos and honorable mentions will be featured on the Federation’s website, social media accounts, monthly Wildlife Wire newsletter, weekly Butterfly Highway newsletter and quarterly NCWF Journal.
Contest Winners for 2025
- Critters: Ryan Imperio
- People: Hailey Nelms
- Pollinators and Insects: Jacob Long
- Scenes: Annie Lazo
- Youth: Shreyes Chalasani
- Honorable Mention: John Andrew Lovins
- Honorable Mention: Barb Case
- Honorable Mention: Mark Kwiatkowski
- Honorable Mention: Chris Cotton
- Honorable Mention: Finn Tyrrell
Winning & Honorable Mention Images, Photographer Comments
Winner – Critters: Ryan Imperio. After a summer storm passed, I decided to make the most of the evening and headed to nearby Lake Crabtree in Morrisville. When I arrived, I spotted a great blue heron standing within a cloud of steam and beautifully backlit by the setting Sun’s warm glow. I watched quietly, photographing the bird as it moved along the water’s edge. At one point, it paused to scratch its neck while also raising the feathers on top of its head, a unique and interesting moment that I was fortunate enough to capture.
Winner – People: Hailey Nelms.
Winner – Pollinators and Insects: Jacob Long. This photo was taken at a small pond on my family’s property, a chance encounter that stopped me in my tracks. I was drawn to the delicate pose of the mayfly and wanted to see if I could position myself to capture its reflection without scaring it off. The way the iridescent colors of the wings stood out really struck me. Moments like this remind me that even the smallest and most ephemeral of God’s creatures have a beauty and purpose worth noticing. When we take the time to slow down and truly look, we find wonder in the lives that often go unseen.
Winner – Scenes: Annie Lazo. This was an incredible and unforgettable night. We sat on the dew-soaked grass atop the bald in the Roan Highlands – capturing waves of synchronous fireflies as they lit up the dark, all while the stars and Milky Way stretched across the sky.
Winner – Youth: Shreyes Chalasani
Honorable Mention – Critters: John-Andrew Lovins. Getting into Cataloochee Valley before sunrise can be a tall order, but getting to watch the resident elk start their day in the pre-dawn light is a unique and magical experience for fans of N.C. wildlife!
Honorable Mention – Pollinators: Barb Case. I am an ethical wildlife photographer always watching for wildlife behavior. These two Ruby-throated hummingbirds were definitely unhappy about both of them looking for nectar on the same plant in my backyard. I watched and photographed their bickering until one of them gave up and flew away!
Honorable Mention – People: Mark Kwiatkowski.
Honorable Mention – Scenes: Chris Cotton.
Honorable Mention – Youth: Finn Tyrrell
NCWF Photo Contest Judging Committee:
- Jennifer Hadley (Photographer)
- Landon Adams (Photographer)
- Payton DeMay (Photographer)
- Dr. Anne Radke (NCWF Board of Directors)
- Dave Cable (NCWF Board of Directors)
- Jessica Bednarcik (NCWF Board of Directors)
- Laura Neitzey (NCWF Refuge Conservation Coordinator)
- Thomas Bell (NCWF VP of Government Affairs)