Heather Bossowski’s photograph titled “A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers,” capturing a sunrise at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area in Flagler Beach, was named the Grand Prize winner in the Park Adventures Division of the 2025 Capture the Real Florida Photo Contest. The contest, organized by Florida State Parks, announced winners in five categories: Landscapes, Waterscapes, Wildlife, Park Adventures, and Historic Encounters.
The contest received thousands of submissions from across Florida. In addition to the Grand Prize winners for each category, awards were also given for Runner-Up and People’s Choice. The Historic Encounters category was added this year to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
“Every year, our visitors capture breathtaking moments that remind us why our state parks are among the most treasured places in the country,” said Chuck Hatcher, Director of Florida State Parks. “Thank you to everyone who shared their images. I invite all Floridians to get out and discover our state parks and maybe even grab that perfect shot.”
Grand Prize winners included Shane Carrol (“Not Alone” at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park) for Landscapes; Dawn Campbell (“Early Dawn” at Silver Springs State Park) for Waterscapes; Michelle Huguet (“Eyes of the Forest” at Myakka River State Park) for Wildlife; Heather Bossowski (“A Camp Sunrise at Gamble Rogers”) for Park Adventures; and Valleri Ames (“Echoes of Bulow Plantation” at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park) for Historic Encounters.
Winning photos can be viewed on the Photo Contest webpage. Each Grand Prize winner received a $1,000 B&H Photo gift card, a Florida State Parks Annual Pass, a stand-up paddleboard, and a hammock.
The winning entries will also be displayed at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park during its Winter Waterland celebration. Florida has 175 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites that offer opportunities for photography and recreation. Tyler Technologies collaborated on this year’s contest by providing reservation services for overnight stays in state parks.
Photographers interested in participating next year can begin taking photos starting January 1, 2026. The submission portal will open in November 2026.
Florida’s park system has received four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from national organizations since 1999. The system includes more than 815,000 acres of land and over 3,000 miles of multi-use trails. More information about visiting or photographing these sites is available on www.FloridaStateParks.org.
Further details are available on the official announcement page https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/3fe6d71.
