2025 Chatt Hills Photo Contest

CHCC Admin
Jun 30
5 min read

Updated: Sep 25

Celebrating the Land, People, and Places of Chattahoochee Hills

This summer, the Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy partnered with the City of Chattahoochee Hills and the Chatt Hills Convention & Visitors Bureau to host the 2025 Chatt Hills Photo Contest — and the response was incredible!

With 78 photo submissions across three divisions, local photographers of all ages and experience levels captured the land, people, and places that make Chatt Hills so special. From sweeping sunsets and historic landmarks to everyday farm life and quiet rural moments, the entries reflected the unique beauty and character of our community.

Entries were reviewed by independent judges from the photography community, who selected the top winners in each division. In addition, Chatt Hills residents voted to determine the Community Favorite, making the contest a true community celebration of creativity and place.

2025 Contest Winners

Pro / Semi-Pro Division

🥇 1st: “Summer Sunset” by Michael Specht

🥈 2nd & 🌟 Community Favorite: “Golden Silence” by Chip Denton

🥉 3rd: “Wild Citrus” by Paula Susarte

Amateur Division

🥇 1st: “Snowy pine towers over the past” by Maria Hanson

🥈 2nd: “Fishing on the banks of Rico Lake” by Victoria Adair

🥉 3rd: “Old Campbellton from the Courthouse Square” by Chris Montesinos

Youth Division

🥇 1st: “Surprise Letter” by Stella Specht

🥈 2nd: “Chauffeur” by Stella Specht

🥉 3rd: “Summer Day” by Stella Specht

See the Photos at the Chatt Hills Fall Festival

🎉 We’re excited to announce that all winning photos will be recognized and on display at the Chatt Hills Fall Festival on November 8, 2025. This is your chance to see the images up close, meet fellow community members, and celebrate the creativity and spirit of Chatt Hills.

🏅 Contest winners can also pick up their certificates at the festival.

Why It Matters

The Chatt Hills Photo Contest was more than just a competition. It was a way to:

Showcase the scenic views, farms, and cultural heritage of our community
Celebrate the creativity of residents of all ages
Build pride and connection around the natural and cultural resources of Chatt Hills

We are grateful to every photographer who participated, every judge who lent their expertise, and every community member who voted. Together, you’ve helped highlight why protecting and celebrating Chatt Hills is so important for future generations.

Explore all of 2025 the photo contest submissions below:

2025 CONTEST NOW CLOSED

Contest Overview

Celebrating the Land, People, and Places of Chattahoochee Hills

Join us in capturing the beauty, culture, and rural spirit of Chattahoochee Hills through the lens of those who live, work, and explore here. The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, in partnership with the City of Chattahoochee Hills and the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau, invites photographers of all skill levels to share images that showcase the landscapes, heritage, and heart of our community.

Whether you're a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or a youth with a keen eye for your surroundings, this is your chance to highlight the distinct character of Chatt Hills and help tell its story. Winning photographs will be featured in CHCC communications, public exhibits, and regional tourism efforts.

Contest Promotional Flyer

Download the 2025 Contest Flyer

Categories & Themes

Photos must fit into one or more of the following categories:

Natural Landscapes- Vistas: sweeping views of the countryside, ridgelines, scenic viewsheds, or natural panoramas-Wetlands: creeks, waterways, riverbanks, and water habitats- Forests & Wildlife: wooden areas, native plants, birds, and animals	Public Spaces & Pathways- Parks: local parks, picnic areas, and public greenspaces- Trails: walking paths, hiking routes, and trail entrances- Roadways: scenic drives, gravel roads, and rural intersections
Working & Historic Lands- Farmland: fields, fences, crops, farm equipment, and livestock- Historic Sites: cemeteries, old churches, cabins, and ruins - Barns & Farm Buildings: older or active structures that tell a rural story	Community & Culture- People in Place: portraits or candids of residents, farmers, families or visitors engaging with the land- Events & Traditions: seasonal festivals, local gatherings, or moments of shared experience

Divisions

Pro/Semi-Pro – Individuals who sell their photography or have formal/semi-formal training
Amateur – Hobbyists or casual photographers
Youth – Participants age 17 and under (requires parental/guardian consent)

Eligibility

Open to anyone who lives or works in Chattahoochee Hills. All photo entries must be taken within the city limits.

Photo Guidelines

To ensure fairness and preserve the integrity of the photographic moment, images must reflect the original scene as captured in-camera.

Allowed:
- Global adjustments to exposure, color, contrast, sharpness, cropping
- Minor cleanup (e.g., dust spots)
Not Allowed:
- Adding or removing objects, people, or backgrounds
- Composites, sky replacements, AI-generated elements
- Local edits that significantly alter the scene

Submissions

Each participant may enter up to five (5) photo entries per person
All photos must be in a .JPG or .PNG format only
Photos must follow alteration guidelines above.
All photos must be taken within the last 23 months.
Photos must be submitted in landscape orientation.
Each photo must include a title and location where it was taken.
If a person's face is included in a photo, you must have permission and acknowledge this permission at the time of submission.
Each entrant may submit under only one division (Pro/Semi Pro, Amateur, or Youth).
Submission deadline: September 1, 2025

Submit Your Photos Here

Winning Categories

The 2025 Chatt Hills Photo Contest will celebrate outstanding photography that reflects the beauty, character, and community of Chattahoochee Hills. Winners will be selected from the following three skill-based divisions, with one additional Community Favorite selected by public vote:

Pro/Semi-Pro:
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
Amateur:
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
Youth (17 & under):
- 1st Place
- 2nd Place
- 3rd Place
Community Favorite:
- 1 overall winner selected by public vote across all divisions

Usage, Rights & Participation

Winning photos will be featured online (CHCC Website) and recognized at the Chatt Hills Fall Festival on November 8th, 2025. Details to follow.

By submitting, you agree to grant The Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy, the City of Chattahoochee Hills, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau permission to use your photos, along with your name and title, for nonprofit promotional purposes—including websites, social media, newsletters, printed materials, signage, and public exhibits. No monetary compensation will be provided. You also consent to voluntarily assume all risks associated with your participation; release and hold harmless the City of Chattahoochee Hills, the Chattahoochee Hills Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), their officers, employees, agents, and partners from any and all liability for injuries, losses, or damages arising from your participation; grant permission for your submitted photographs, name, and likeness to be used for promotional and marketing purposes without further notice or compensation; and acknowledge that you are responsible for complying with all applicable laws while the City and CVB are not responsible for website functionality, outages, or third-party misuse of submitted content.

Full Contest Rules

Read the Full Contest Rules

Key Dates