Keep your camera close at hand while you stroll your beautiful garden. Take lots of photos at dahlia events. Of course, dahlias and children are great subjects. Share your photos and enter the ADS Photo Contest and the People’s Choice Photo Contest.
A few guidelines. Both contests are open to amateur photographers only. You do not need to be an ADS member to submit your entries, but only ADS members can vote in the People’s Choice Photo Contest. Images should have been taken by you during 2025 and 2026 growing seasons. Photos can be submitted with or without a title or a label, but please do not put your name on the photo. Be creative but no AI generated photos.
The deadline for entering photos is December 15th, 2026. The Photo Contest has a 3 photo per class limit (30 photos) , People’s Choice is 1 photo only. Please email your entries to
More information below. Good luck!
Winner 2025 ADS Photo Contest – Bloomquist Jean – Robert Leonelli
Label your email Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, etc and attach up to 3 photos in jpeg format.
Please label your email People’s Choice and attach your 1 entry in jpeg format
The ADS 2026 Photo Contest categories are:
Class 1 – Undisseminated/Seedlings- In general, they are unclassified dahlias and have not been sold as a “named” variety.
Class 2 – Dahlia portrait. A photo of a single bloom.
Class 3 – Dahlia blooms- More than one cultivar or more than one bloom of a cultivar
Class 4 – Dahlia Gardens- Photos of places where dahlias are grown.
Class 5 – Dahlia shows and personalities. Photos of activities related to dahlia shows and the folks who grow dahlias.
Class 6 – Class 6-Dahlia arrangements- Non show quality dahlias (cut flowers, market bunches) welcome.
Class 7 – Dahlias and kids. My favorite category. They express so much emotion.
Class 8 – Black and White Dahlias-Dahlia images in black and white.
Class 9 – Macro View- Up close photo
Class 10 – Digital Darkroom- Experiment and have fun!
People’s Choice
Enter your favorite photo. Instructions for the People’s Choice award voting will be on the ADS website(dahlia.org) on January 15, 2026.
Winning images are posted on the ADS website on February 14th, 2026. We need your permission to display your photos online and in the Bulletin. Please submit one copy of the Entry Form (docx format) with your email/entries. Grand prize winner and People’s Choice winner are awarded $50. In the ADS Photo Contest, each class winner receives $20. Second place receives $10, and third place $5. Winnings will be paid via PayPal or Venmo only.
Good luck! Happy gardening!
Don’t forget to share your photos on the ADS Facebook page and Instagram.
What is the difference between the Photo Contest and People’s Choice?
For those who are new to the contests, you might be wondering what is the difference between the Photo Contest and People’s Choice? The ADS Photo Contest has set categories. Photos are judged by a panel. People’s Choice has no set categories, the photographer decides what to submit. ADS members vote for the winner. You do not need to be an ADS member to enter your photos. You can participate in one contest or both.