Hill Country Photo Contest

Home 5 Hill Country Photo Contest

2023 Photo Contest Results Announced

“Home in the Hill Country”

Thank you to all who entered! Click here to read the full press release announcing the winners

2023 Grand Prize: Hawkeye – Alan Zhou

Between March and May, HCA received almost 500 entries in the 2023 Hill Country Photo Contest from amateur and professional photographers alike. Submissions ranging from enchanting wildlife to starry Texas nights truly captured the beauty of the Hill Country’s incredible treasures.

Photographer Alan Zhou’s grand prize-winning shot, Hawkeye, was taken at Mueller Greenway in Austin and features a close-up view of a Red-tailed Hawk. Hawks are found in a variety of habitats across the Hill Country – from busy urban landscapes to undeveloped, open spaces. So much of the photography submitted in this annual contest spotlights our region’s fascinating wildlife and reminds viewers of our own ties to this delicate web of life.

This year, a beautiful photo of a Great Blue Heron at Inks Lake State Park received nearly 700 votes and took home the People’s Choice prize. Photographer Michael Kinder was recognized with a cash prize and a photo feature in the 2024 calendar. The additional four winning photographs were selected by a panel of judges and are featured in HCA’s popular 2024 Texas Hill Country Calendar, available now on the HCA website.

People's Choice Award Winner - Great Blue Morning

Photographer: Michael Kinder

1st Place Winner - Enchantment

Photographer: Rob Knerr

2nd Place Winner - United

Photographer: Joseph Richards

3rd Place Winner - Middle Creek

Photographer: Wade Blissard

In addition to these photo contest winners, the Hill Country Alliance would like to recognize the following contestants whose photography is featured in the 2024 Hill Country Calendar:

Jennifer Bauerkemper
Julie Bentley
Sharon Carter
Susan Cherico
Robert Currie
Sheila Ellwood
Matt Erpenbeck

John Freud
James Harris
Peggy Howard
Meghan James
Rita Johnston
Steve Kotzur
Khanh Le

Alison Lyons
Lorelei Murphy
Joyce Owen
Alicia Paparo
Glenn Perrigo
Jerry Sargent

Carol Serur
Winifred Simon
Lance Stevens
Tom Torget
Jennifer Watts
Brittany Wegner

Click to view calendar

Purchase the 2024 Hill Country Calendar!

HCA’s annual Texas Hill Country Calendar features imagery from the 2023 Hill Country Photo Contest, highlights the beauty of the region, and provides an informative resource on Hill Country conservation.

Click here to learn more and purchase.

The Hill Country Alliance is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise public awareness and build community support around the need to preserve the natural resources and heritage of the Central Texas Hill Country. Visit us at www.hillcountryalliance.org.

Learn more about the 2023 Photo Contest

Learn about past photo contests: 2022 Hill Country Photo Contest – Solace and Strength

Contact:
Leah Cuddeback, Storytelling and Public Engagement – Hill Country Alliance | leah@hillcountryalliance.org