In the heart of the Pacific Northwest lies a hidden gem, where lush landscapes and vibrant wildflowers paint the canvas of nature with unmatched beauty. Nestled in the gorgeous town of White Salmon, Washington, the annual White Salmon Wildflower Festival Photography Contest celebrates the captivating allure of the Columbia River Gorge’s flora through the lens of talented photographers from near and far. Every spring, as the snow melts and the sun warms the earth, the Columbia River Gorge comes alive with a riot of colors as wildflowers burst forth in a breathtaking display. From delicate lupines to cheerful balsamroots, the meadows and hillsides surrounding White Salmon become a tapestry of hues, inviting photographers to capture the ephemeral beauty of the season.
More than just a celebration of wildflowers, the White Salmon Wildflower Festival Photography Contest also serves as a reminder of the importance of Leave No Trace. As participants venture into the wild in search of the perfect shot, they witness the fragility of the ecosystems that sustains The Gorges’ diverse flora and fauna. Through their lens, photographers become stewards of the land, advocating for its protection and preservation for future generations to enjoy. By capturing the fleeting beauty of wildflowers in bloom, they inspire others to appreciate the wonders of The Gorge and to tread lightly upon the earth.
How to Participate
To participate, take a photo of any of the 800+ types of wildflowers you spot in The Gorge, post it on your Instagram account with the contest hashtag #wildforwhitesalmon, and tag @explorewhitesalmon. The photo contest runs from May 1st until the end of the festival, May 31st, so there’s plenty of time to enter. And even if you don’t win a prize, you’ll still have the satisfaction of sharing your beautiful photos with the world and supporting the White Salmon Wildflower Festival. Proceeds from the Wildflower Festival events support our local non-profits, our Downtown Businesses, and the Downtown White Salmon Beautification Projects.
Prizes
We will select 10 finalist after May 31st and post to a Facebook photo album. The top three photos with the most likes are the winners. First place prize is $100 Gift Certificate to Everybody’s Brewing, 2nd Prize is a $50 Gift Certificate the Le Doubble Troubble, and 3rd Prize is a $25 Gift Certificate to CLYZM.
iPhone Landscape Photography Boot Camp | Brian Chambers
White Salmon Wildflower Festival Photography Workshop
iPhone Landscape Photography Boot Camp
Brian Chambers
$65
Level: All | Maximum participants: 8
Join award-winning local landscape photographer Brian Chambers and his wife Kelly for a 90-minute workshop where we will learn how to optimize the use of our amazing camera phones and discuss some general pointers for improving our photography. The class will meet in downtown White Salmon Washington. The class will be “focused” on iPhones but any smartphone can be used. Class is just $65 and limited to 8 people to allow for lots of one on one time.
Saturday, 5/25/2024 – 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Saturday, 5/25/2024 – 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Need: Smartphone
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Brian Chambers – Award-Winning Landscape Photographer
Brian Chambers is an award-winning landscape photographer based out of Hood River Oregon in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. He knows that success in landscape photography requires one to spend time in nature: watching the sunset, staring at the rising moon, sitting beneath a star-filled sky, and hiking into the wilderness to capture the unique light that makes a scene come alive.
One of his favorite things is balancing the artistic and technical challenges of photography to capture the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. His prints can be seen in person at the 301 Gallery in downtown Oak Street in Hood River where he is a founding member. He shares his love and experience with photography during many workshops and classes throughout the year.