The Stafford County Historical & Genealogical Society is accepting entries for its 2026 Stafford County Photography Contest, inviting photographers of all ages and experience levels to capture the beauty of Stafford County.

The contest is free to enter, with submissions due by Sept. 1. Winners will be announced during Oktoberfest in Stafford on Oct. 3.

Photographers will compete in three age divisions: Kids (12 and under), Youth (13–17), and Adults (18 and over). In each division, prizes of $50 for first place, $20 for second place, and $10 for third place will be awarded. First-place photographs will also be auctioned during Oktoberfest, and the overall winning image will be featured on the cover of the Society’s upcoming Stafford County photography book.

Photos must be taken within Stafford County and may not include people. Each participant may submit up to three JPEG images that are at least 2 MB and a minimum of 300 dpi. Each submission should include a title and the general location where the photograph was taken.

Entries should include the photographer’s name, mailing address, phone number, and email address and be emailed to museumphotocontest@gmail.com.

By entering, photographers grant the Stafford County Historical & Genealogical Society non-exclusive rights to use submitted images for promotional purposes while retaining all other rights to their work.

The Society encourages everyone to participate and help celebrate the natural beauty and heritage of Stafford County through photography.