The Alabama Big 10 Mayors have officially opened the lens on their annual statewide photo competition.
From bustling downtown streets to quiet green spaces, this contest invites residents to capture the character and charm of the state’s ten largest cities.
The kickoff came on August 6, setting the stage for a month of creative entries and friendly competition.
Open to anyone with a camera or smartphone, the contest offers the chance to see familiar places through fresh eyes.
For photography lovers, it’s an opportunity to showcase their perspective. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to scroll through feeds filled with Alabama’s most photogenic spots.
How It Works
Participation is straightforward.
Photographers—amateur or seasoned—are asked to submit an image taken in one of the Big 10 cities: Auburn, Birmingham, Decatur, Dothan, Hoover, Huntsville, Madison, Mobile, Montgomery, or Tuscaloosa.
Entries are sent by direct message to the Alabama Big 10 Mayors’ Facebook page, where they’ll be posted for the public to see.
Once the images are live, it’s all about the likes. The photo with the highest number of Facebook likes by the close of voting will be declared the winner.
There’s more than just bragging rights on the line: the top prize is a $500 Visa gift card and a feature on the Alabama Big 10 Mayors’ own platform.
Dates to Remember
The submission period is open until September 2, giving participants nearly a month to find that perfect angle, wait for just the right light, and click the shutter at the ideal moment.
After that, the spotlight shifts to the audience. Voting wraps up on September 9, which means supporters have one week to rally their friends, family, and fellow residents to like and share their favorite shots.
This rhythm keeps the excitement going—first with the flood of entries, then with the flurry of votes, and finally with the reveal of the winning image.
A Celebration of City Pride
The contest is more than a photography challenge; it’s a showcase of the state’s diversity.
Over the years, the Alabama Big 10 Mayors have received entries that range from glowing city skylines to lively farmers markets, intricate historic buildings to serene riverbanks.
“From the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast, each of the Big 10 cities is full of art, architecture, history, culture, and natural beauty,” the organization said in its announcement.
Their hope is to spark city pride while highlighting the unique character of each community.
For many participants, it’s also an excuse to explore—whether that means wandering down a side street they’ve never noticed or visiting a landmark they’ve driven past for years.
Ready, Set, Shoot!
With its simple entry process and the promise of seeing Alabama through hundreds of different viewpoints, this competition blends creativity with connection.
It’s the kind of event that turns casual observers into amateur photographers and transforms everyday corners into works of art.
For those planning to enter, the advice is simple: look for the details that define a place, the moments that give it life, and the scenes that make people pause.
And for everyone else, keep an eye on the Alabama Big 10 Mayors’ Facebook feed—your next favorite photo might pop up in your timeline.
By the time September 9 rolls around, one picture will rise to the top, but the real win will be the shared celebration of Alabama’s cities, seen through thousands of different eyes and captured in a single frame at just the right moment.
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