Every visit to Sedgwick County Zoo offers moments worth noticing, and this year, we want to see the Zoo through your lens.
In celebration of Nature Photography Day on June 15, Sedgwick County Zoo is launching the 2027 Calendar Photo Contest, inviting guests, members, photographers, students, and wildlife lovers to submit their favorite photos taken right here at the Zoo. Entries open Monday, June 15, 2026, and selected photos will be featured in the official 2027 Sedgwick County Zoo Calendar.
About Nature Photography Day
Nature Photography Day is a reminder to step outside, look closer, and appreciate the natural world around us. Photography can help people build a deeper connection with wildlife by capturing the details we might otherwise miss: texture, behavior, movement, personality, and environment.
At the Zoo, nature photography also becomes a way to tell stories. A single image can highlight the beauty of a species, the importance of conservation, or the emotional connection people feel when they encounter wildlife up close.
Whether you are a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or someone who simply captured a great moment during a Zoo visit, this contest is for you.
How the Calendar Photo Contest Works
Twelve winning photos will be selected, with each image featured as one month in the official 2027 Sedgwick County Zoo Calendar. The calendar will be distributed to members and sold within the Zoo. This contest is designed to celebrate wildlife photography, guest creativity, and the connection people build with the animals and spaces at Sedgwick County Zoo.
Entries open on Monday, June 15, and close on Monday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be selected during the judging period and announced on Monday, June 29 through the Zoo’s digital platforms.
Who Can Enter?
All ages and experience levels are welcome. The contest is open to Zoo members, guests, families, students, local photographers, wildlife photography enthusiasts, and community members who regularly visit the Zoo.
Each person may submit up to two photos, and all submitted images must have been taken at Sedgwick County Zoo. Photos should be submitted as high-resolution JPG or PNG files.
To help keep entries organized, file names should include the species, date, and photographer’s name. For example:
AmurLeopard_5.19.2025_JaneSmith
Photos should not include unsafe guest behavior, barrier crossing, flash photography, or anything that misrepresents Zoo guidelines. Photos should also not include visible guests or minors unless the photographer has permission from those individuals or guardians.
What Are Judges Looking For?
Winning photos will be selected by a panel of nature photographers and marketing professionals. Images will be evaluated based on photo quality, composition, creativity, emotional impact, calendar suitability, representation of Sedgwick County Zoo wildlife or guest experience, and ability to print well in calendar format.
This means your photo does not have to be the rarest animal moment or the most dramatic behavior. Sometimes, the strongest images are simple, honest moments that make people stop and look a little closer.
What Do Winners Receive?
The top 12 winners will each receive their winning photo featured in the official 2027 Sedgwick County Zoo Calendar, one free calendar, recognition on Sedgwick County Zoo’s digital platforms, and a behind-the-scenes Zoo tour for up to four people.
Start Gathering Your Photos
Now is the perfect time to look back through your favorite Zoo photos or plan a visit to capture something new! From sleeping lions to playful otters and meaningful connections, we want to see what you notice when you explore Sedgwick County Zoo.
Get your camera ready, and help us celebrate Nature Photography Day by sharing the Zoo through your lens.