23rd annual photo contest

Over the last 20 years, readers have submitted more than 470,000 images to _Smithsonian_’s annual photo contest. These photos have transported us to the far corners of Earth, captured spectacular, split-second moments and introduced us to fascinating people and unique landscapes. Browse breathtaking images captured by photographers from nearly every country in the world. Search by location and topic, and explore photographer portfolios for inspiration.

The following six contest categories are drawn from subjects of special interest to Smithsonian magazine:

1. Wildlife: Animals and plants in the great outdoors that give you a sense of wonder about the natural world.

2. Travel: Locales, peoples or activities in the United States and abroad that convey a sense of place.

3. People: Portraits and photos of groups or individuals.

4. The American Experience at 250: In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, we're looking for the stories, events, objects and places that connect the American people to their 250 years of history and cultural heritage; photographs that tell us what it means to be an American and provide a sense of what it is like to live in this country. 

5. Artistic Images: Visuals that use photography as a creative and imaginative platform to express an idea or concept. These images can be manipulated in any method, either through photo editing software or other techniques.

6. Drone/Aerial: Any photograph captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone. Images shot from planes/helicopters are also accepted.