Enter The Friends’ 2025

“Picture the Magic” Photo Contest

Photo by Randy Streufert

The Friend’s 2025 Picture the Magic photography contest is now open for submissions.  We’re looking for images that highlight the park’s magic such as striking images of Mason Neck State Park’s scenery, flora, fauna, and aquatic activities.

For this year’s contest, only images taken by photographers who are under 18 as of October 15, 2025, will be eligible for a cash prize. The young photographer who submits the best image will receive a $300 Grand Prize. The next top three 1^st place submissions will earn the young photographers $200 each. Each photographer is eligible to receive only one cash prize. 

The top four submissions by adults will receive Grand Prize, First, Second and Third Place awards, but will not receive cash prizes.

The best youth and adult photos will be published in our newsletter, website, and social media.

The "Picture the Magic" Photo Contest closes on October 15, 2025,  Prize winners will be notified by October 31, 2025.

2024 Grand Prize Winning Photograph by Peter Thiringer

The 2025 contest rules are here.

Contest entry forms can be downloaded here.