Enter the 2025 Lakeway Photo Festival
Celebrating its 23rd year, the 2025 Lakeway Photo Festival showcases both the scenic beauty of Lakeway and the amazing talents of our local photographers. Photo categories this year include Birds, Community, Deer, Flora, Foliage, Vistas and Wildlife. See below for detailed category descriptions. Photos in each category will be judged on creativity, photographic quality, and effectiveness in conveying the beauty and unique character of Lakeway.
About the Lakeway Photo Festival
The Lakeway Photo Festival is FREE to enter and open to the public. All photos must be taken within the City of Lakeway only and by residents within the Lake Travis ISD area (see map) between the dates of September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Student, amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to enter. Submit your entries starting July 15th and ending August 31st, 2025 at 5pm.
Awards Reception and Photography Exhibit
Winners of the Lakeway Photo Festival will be announced and celebrated at the awards reception on Sunday, September 21st, 2025, from 4 to 5pm at the Lakeway Activity Center. Winning photographs will also be showcased in a photography exhibit at the Lakeway City Hall Art Gallery in November and December.
See the caliber of winning work and draw inspiration from past winners by viewing the winning and honorable mention photos from the 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 Lakeway Photo Festivals.
How to Enter
It is easy to participate! Just submit a hi-res digital photo via our online form (available July 15th to August 31st). Please carefully read the Copyright Disclaimer, Rules, Terms and Conditions on the form when submitting your photo. All entries must be received by August 31st, 2025 at 5pm. Physical photos are not accepted.
ONLINE ENTRY FORM WILL OPEN ON JULY 15th.
You may enter the festival from July 15th to August 31st at 5pm. All photos must be taken within the City of Lakeway and by a photographer residing within the Lake Travis Independent School District area.
Category Descriptions
Birds – Capture the vibrant avian life of Lakeway. From majestic hawks soaring above Lake Travis to colorful songbirds flitting through backyard feeders, this category celebrates the beauty, diversity, and unique behaviors of our feathered residents. Focus on detail, light, and a sense of their natural habitat.
Community – Tell the story of Lakeway through its people, events, and shared experiences. Showcase the human spirit of our community – whether it’s through local gatherings, traditions, everyday interactions, or the places where Lakeway residents connect and thrive. Photos should focus on people and evoke a sense of belonging, activity, and local character.
Deer – Lakeway is renowned for its abundant deer population. Portray these graceful creatures in their natural environment. Focus on their elegance, interactions, and their presence within the Lakeway landscape, highlighting their wild beauty and perhaps their unique adaptations to our suburban setting.
Flora – Uncover the intricate beauty of Lakeway’s plant life. This category encompasses individual flowers, native plants, and unique botanical specimens that flourish in our region. Emphasize form, texture, color, and the delicate details that often go unnoticed, showcasing the rich biodiversity of our local plant kingdom.
Foliage – Celebrate the ever-changing tapestry of leaves and plant structures that define Lakeway’s natural scenery throughout the seasons. This category encourages creative compositions highlighting patterns, textures, and the interplay of light and shadow on various types of foliage, from vibrant spring greens to rich autumn hues.
Vistas – Capture the expansive and breathtaking sky and water landscapes of Lakeway. This category is for sweeping views that showcase the natural grandeur of Lakeway and our views of Lake Travis. Focus on composition, light, and atmosphere to convey the awe-inspiring scale and beauty of our scenic horizons.
Wildlife – Celebrate the broader spectrum of wild animals that call Lakeway home. From small mammals and reptiles to insects and amphibians, showcase the fascinating lives of our local fauna. Emphasize their natural behaviors, unique characteristics, and their place within the Lakeway ecosystem.
Questions? Please contact us. Good luck!
Photograph courtesy of Keith Everill, winner of 2024 Lakeway Photo Festival Wildlife category.
