VERO BEACH, FL – May 7, 2024 – McKee Botanical Garden is thrilled to unveil its 19th Annual Waterlily Photo Contest, coinciding with the much-anticipated Waterlily Celebration on Saturday, June 15. This renowned annual contest is open to both McKee members and the public, offering an opportunity for photographers of all ages and skill levels to showcase their talents.
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Participants are invited to submit captivating photographs of waterlilies and lotus captured within the enchanting ponds and waterways of McKee Botanical Garden during the years 2023 or 2024. Entries can be submitted from June 4 to June 12 exclusively at the Administrative Offices located within McKee.
Contestants may enter one photograph per category: Color, Black and White, and Manipulated. Additionally, an exclusive Youth category is available for young photographers aged 17 and under, fostering creativity and participation among the next generation of artists. Detailed guidelines and entry forms are available on the McKee Botanical Garden website at www.mckeegarden.org.
Photographer’s submissions will be considered by a panel of judges on Friday, June 14. All entries, to include the winning entries in each category, will be displayed in the historic Hall of Giants during the festival on June 15. The winners will be announced during the event, with accolades presented for first, second, and third place in the adult categories, alongside an honorable mention recipient. While the youth division will not be judged in individual categories, overall winners for first, second, and third place will be recognized, encouraging and celebrating the creativity of young photographers. McKee members and visitors will have an opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice” award during the festival.
This year, McKee is delighted to announce that internationally renowned landscape photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo will judge what she believes to be this year’s “Best in Show” photograph. The winning image will be announced on July 1st and will be featured on McKee’s website. Anyone wishing to participate in this opportunity to be judged by Ngoc, must email a digital version of their photograph to information@mckeegarden.org by June 15.
Ngoc is a New York-based photographer whose images have been published in such publications as The World of Interiors, Vogue, T Magazine, Architectural Digest, Cabana, and House & Garden UK. She is the author of several books, Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature; In Bloom: Creating and Living with Flowers, Eden Revisited: A Garden in Northern Morocco, and her most recent publication New York Green: Discovering the City’s Most Treasured Parks and Gardens.
Ngoc photographed McKee Botanical Garden in 2023 and will return in 2024 for an upcoming book. McKee is the first Florida garden Ngoc has photographed.
Admission: $15 Adults, $13 Seniors (65+)/Youth (13-17), and $10 Children (2-12). McKee members and children under 2 are free. For additional information, please contact McKee Botanical Garden at 772-794-0601.
McKee Botanical Garden, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, remains dedicated to nurturing and enhancing its historic garden within a unique tropical setting, fostering education, enjoyment, and enrichment for all visitors. Experience the beauty and tranquility of McKee Botanical Garden, located at 350 US Highway 1 in Vero Beach.
