In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition

In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition is open and blooming with opportunity. If you track the best photography competitions to enter, especially if you are passionate about gardening, this themed call belongs on your list. Run by the Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival and sponsored by Classic Cottages, the contest focuses on flora (flowers, plants, trees and other vegetation) and welcomes work shot anywhere in the world. The final deadline is Sunday 18 January 2026, with winners celebrated during the festival in late February.

Entrants compete within three age brackets for cash awards: £300 (18 & Over), £100 (12–17) and £50 (11 & Under). Adults may submit up to five images, under-18s can enter up to three. Submissions must be original photographs created by the entrant and tied to the “In the Garden” theme; images of animals are not accepted. Entry for adults is £4 per photo, while under-18 entries are free. Everything is handled online through the festival’s competition portal.

The In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition Prizes

Prizes are awarded by age group, keeping the competition fair and focused.

18 & Over — £300. The top adult entry receives a £300 cash award and public recognition during the festival prizegiving ceremony on Saturday 21 February 2026.

12–17 — £100. A single youth winner takes £100 and joins the showcase alongside the other category winners.

11 & Under — £50. The younger cohort is recognised with a £50 prize for the strongest single image.

All awards are cash, adding this contest to the family of opportunities with cash prizes.

The Categories of the In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition

There are no subject-matter categories. Instead, all entries share a single theme:“In the Garden”, interpreted through flora. Photographs should concentrate on plants and vegetation, animal subjects are not eligible. Age brackets (11 & Under, 12–17, 18 & Over) determine the prize groups.

In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition Dates and Entry Fees

• Deadline: Sunday 18 January 2026, 11 pm.
• Prizegiving: Saturday 21 February 2026 in Shepton Mallet town centre.

Entry fees:

• £4 per photo for 18 & Over
• Free for Under-18 entrants.

How to Enter:

Register and upload images via the festival’s competitions platform (Skor). Complete payment online if entering the adult category. Ensure files are JPEG, titled, and relevant to the theme.

About the Jury

The 2026 judge is award-winning gardens photographer Jason Ingram. His guidance emphasises sensitive use of light, thoughtful composition and attention to patterns, shapes, texture and colour seen in flora—from petals and stamens to bark and leaves.

Why Enter In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition?

This contest offers a clear, plant-focused brief; international eligibility; and straightforward online entry with age-bracketed awards. It suits photographers working across garden landscapes and close-up botanical work alike, ideal if you follow photography contests year-round. For genre discoverability on Deartline, it aligns closely with nature photography contests and fauna and flora photography competitions.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the In the Garden 2026 Photography Competition has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

Images must be original, created by the entrant, and not previously published or entered elsewhere. No AI-generated content or third-party overlays, textures or clip-art. Editing and post-processing must be performed by the entrant. Photos should be taken during 2025/26 and must relate to the “In the Garden” theme; animal subjects are not accepted. Organisers may disqualify entries not relevant to the brief.

Adults may submit up to five photos; Under-18s up to three. Keep the original file; shortlisted entrants may be asked to supply higher-resolution versions. No single work or entrant can win more than one prize. The judge’s decision is final.

Copyright and Image Usage

Photographers retain copyright. The festival reserves the right to reproduce selected images, in print and digital formats, to publicise the competition and the Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival. Entrants confirm they hold necessary permissions and indemnify organisers and judges against claims related to publication.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.