2026 Nebraska Life Photo Contest: Heart of Nebraska

Nebraska Life's photo contest returns for 2026 with a new theme: Heart of Nebraska.

Last year, Nebraska Life launched its first photo contest and received thousands of images from across the state. Winning photographs and finalists filled more than 30 pages of the magazine, from a moonrise over the Sower statue atop the Nebraska State Capitol to cowboys moving cattle through Sandhills dust and Main Street celebrations blurred by motion and color.

Nicole Louden's Sunset Stunner was named Photograph of the Year, and Jeffrey Z. Carney was named peer-nominated Photographer of the Year.

See the 2025 Spirit of Nebraska winners and finalists.

This year, we are looking for photographs that show Nebraska's people, places, work, weather, wildlife, history and daily life. That might mean a county fair, a basketball game, a branding, a storm front, a family portrait, a storefront, a river, a night sky or a road you know by memory.

2026 Photo Contest Categories

• Photo of the Year - Show us one unforgettable image that captures the Heart of Nebraska.
• Photographer of the Year - Nominate a Nebraska photographer whose body of work shows exceptional artistry and a positive impact on our state. Nominate a photographer.
• Aerial & Drone - Nebraska from above, including towns, rivers, farms, roads and open country.
• Agriculture - The people, animals, equipment and land that feed Nebraska.
• Architecture - Buildings, barns, bridges, storefronts and designed spaces.
• Community - Parades, festivals, school events, main streets, reunions and the gatherings that bring Nebraskans together.
• History - Landmarks, traditions, reenactments, artifacts and places connected to the past.
• Landscape - Wide horizons, fields, storms, roads, Sandhills, bluffs and open country.
• Macro - Small details, textures and close-up discoveries.
• Night Sky - Stars, moonlight, the Milky Way and dark skies above the plains.
• Portrait - Candid or posed images of Nebraskans.
• Sports - Athletes, fans, competition and the spirit of the game.
• Water - Rivers, lakes, ponds, rain, ice, irrigation and life around water.
• Wildlife - Animals, birds, insects and native creatures in natural Nebraska settings.

How to Enter

Submit your photographs by Sept. 28, 2026 using the online entry form.

With each photo, include:

• County
• Nearest town
• A short note about what was happening when the image was taken

Submit Your Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enter the 2026 Nebraska Life Photo Contest?
Submit contest photographs through the online entry form. Entries are accepted through Sept. 28, 2026. Nominations for Photographer of the Year can be submitted through the nomination survey.

Do I need to be a professional photographer?
No. The contest is open to professional and amateur photographers. We care about the image, the Nebraska connection and the information that comes with it.

Can I submit photos taken with a smartphone?
Yes. Photos taken with smartphones are welcome, provided they meet all other contest rules and submission requirements.

What kinds of Nebraska photographs are you looking for?
We want photographs of people, places, work, weather, wildlife, history, culture and community. That could mean a county fair, branding, a basketball game, a storefront, a river, a cemetery, a prairie fire, a kitchen table, a moonrise or the hour before harvest.

What makes a strong photo for the magazine?
A strong photo for Nebraska Life has a clear subject, good light, clean composition and useful information behind it. We should be able to tell where we are, what is happening and why a Nebraska reader would stop on the page. The best entries feel tied to a real place, not just a pretty view.

What information should I include with each photo?
Include your name, contact information, location, date, names of recognizable people when possible and a short caption. Tell us what was happening when the photograph was made. A specific caption helps us understand the place, the moment and the people or subject in the frame.

How many photos may I submit?
You may submit up to 5 photos per category. Please remove all watermarks and logos before submitting.

Will winning photos be published?
We plan to publish winning photographs and selected finalists in the November/December 2026 and January/February 2027 issues of Nebraska Life. They may also appear on our website, in email newsletters and on social media.

What do winning photographers receive?
Category winners receive a $250 Rockbrook Camera gift certificate.

Can I submit portraits, agriculture, wildlife, night sky, drone or community photos?
Yes. The contest includes Photo of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Aerial & Drone, Agriculture, Architecture, Community, History, Landscape, Macro, Night Sky, Portrait, Sports, Water and Wildlife. Choose the category that fits the photograph best.

Show us the Heart of Nebraska.