2027 Audubon Photography Awards

What the latest rules say

From the 2026 Official Contest Rules (U.S. and Canada contest). The next edition’s rules may differ.

• AI: “AI-generated images are not eligible.” “AI-generated videos are not eligible.”
• Editing: “Normal processing of the original file is acceptable”, such as cropping, minor colour, tone and sharpness changes, moderate dodging and burning, dust removal and moderate noise reduction. “Photographs that have been digitally or otherwise altered beyond standard optimization will be disqualified”, including HDR frame stacking, stitched panoramas and adding, removing or altering anything in the scene.
• Original files: “You will be required to provide Audubon with original image files (RAW, jpg, etc.) in the timeframe provided upon request (generally within 7 days).” “Failure to provide original files may result in the disqualification of the Photograph at Audubon's sole discretion.”
• Eligibility: “open to all legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 13 years of age or older as of the date of Submission”. Youth entrants are 13 to 17. Photos must depict birdlife.
• Ethics: entries are disqualified for, among other things, birds that appear stressed or harassed, baited birds, nocturnal birds taken with flash at night, drones and playback of bird calls.
• Licence: “You irrevocably grant to Audubon a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual license to use the Photograph/Video in any manner related to the Contest, including all associated use, reproduction, distribution, sublicense, derivative works, and commercial and non-commercial exploitation rights in any and all media”.

Audubon’s 2026 rules let the organiser ask for your RAW or original files. Compare your RAW with the photo you plan to enter, free and in your browser.