The Essex Heritage Photo Contest encourages community members of all ages to head outdoors and capture the living landscapes, unique places, and iconic vistas located in their backyard. Each year, photographers of all levels submit stunning images of the Essex National Heritage Area (Essex County, MA) for a chance to win prizes including cash ($300 – Grand Prize, $100 – 1st Place Prize, $75 – 2nd Place Prize, and $50 3rd Place Prize per each category), as well as gift cards and complimentary memberships which are generously donated by local businesses and organizations.

How to Apply

Step 1

First, review our contest rules and requirements sheet:

2026 Photo Contest Rules & Requirements

Step 2

Next, fill out an entry form, you may do this online or you can download the form and submit it to PhotoContest@EssexHeritage.org.

If your submission requires a model release, you can download the model release form below and submit it to PhotoContest@EssexHeritage.org.

Step 3

To finish up, click here to pay the $10 entry fee electronically. *Note: If you prefer to submit any materials or payments via snail mail, no problem!

Entry is free for the youth category (ages 17 and under).

Address them to:
Attn: Heather Goss
10 Federal Street
Suite 12
Salem MA, 01970

2025 Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner:

Grand Prize
“Little Blue Heron and Froglet” by Joyce Wood taken in Gloucester

Essex County Rev250 Staff Pick Winner:

Essex County Rev250 Staff Pick
"Battle of Bunker Hill Reenactment: Longboats Landing Soldiers" by Peter Van Demark taken in Gloucester

People’s Choice Winner:

People’s Choice
“Never-Ending Sunflowers” by Rachel Sinclair taken in Newbury

Magic Moments

Beauty surrounds us here in Essex County, and those “Magic Moments” where the perfect shot appears before you can happen whenever, wherever. This category showed us photos that captured the picturesque quality of the Essex National Heritage Area by being in the right place at the right time.

1st Place
"Play Time" by John Abisamra taken in Gloucester
2nd Place
"Welcome Morning" by Beverly Brennan taken in Rockport
3rd Place
"Plover Pileup" by Kathy Diamontopoulos taken in Ipswich

Around Town

Whether you’re exploring a bustling downtown or strolling the quiet streets of a historic district, the lived-in environments of Essex County always have a story to tell. This category showed us the unique architecture, cobblestone alleyways, built structures, or public art installations that define the character of our towns and cities.

1st Place
"Art Deco General Edwards Bridge" by Ken Jordan taken in Lynn
2nd Place
"The Hallway" by Ann L. Co taken in Rockport
3rd Place
"Splinters & Sweat" by Carin Macnamara taken in Essex

Your Favorite Places

With so much to see and do in the Essex National Heritage Area, it’s hard to pick a favorite place. For many of us, there are special spots we visit multiple times a year – or even every day! This category showed us those “favorite places” in Essex County.

1st Place
"Spotlight" by Mark Katz taken in Marblehead
2nd Place
"Willows Park Sunrise" by Jason Kennedy taken in Salem
3rd Place
"Fisherman's Memorial Sailing Through the Garden" by Elizabeth Walls taken in Gloucester

Youth Category

Young photographers of all skill levels were invited to submit photographs to the Essex Heritage Photo Contest! The theme for this year is Young Perspectives. Youth contestants submitted photos that showed us the beauty of Essex County through their eyes.

1st Place
"Pure Beauty" by Georgana Cauthers taken in Gloucester
2nd Place
"Motorization" by Dante Cutietta taken in Methuen
3rd Place
"Photo Bomb" Liam Maguire taken in Topsfield

Previous Years' Winners

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