COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services is taking entries for its annual Coastal Photography Contest. The winning photo will be featured on the 2027 Tide Tables Poster, one of the agency’s most requested and widely distributed publications.
Everyone, regardless of experience level, is invited to submit their favorite images of South Carolina’s coast. The contest celebrates the natural beauty, wildlife and coastal landscapes of South Carolina’s shoreline.
“From quiet marsh sunsets to coastal wildlife and scenic shorelines, South Carolina’s coast offers endless opportunities for stunning photography,” said Chris Stout, chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Coastal Management. “This contest is a chance to showcase the natural beauty of our coastal resources for people across the state.”
Last year’s winner was “Jumping for Joy” by Lorraine Holcombe, featuring Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet.
Submission requirements
To be considered, photographs must feature coastal South Carolina scenes, including beaches, marshes, waterways, wildlife or other coastal landscapes. The images must be the original work of the photographer, submitted in landscape orientation and no larger than 65 megabytes in file size. Participants may submit up to three digital photographs.
SCDES will also feature the winning photograph on the agency’s website and social media channels.
Entries are due by online by Aug. 31, 2026. Contest rules, submission requirements and entry information can be found here.
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