From epic adventures and wild mountain views to city bike trails and blazing campfires under starry skies, for over 20 years the AMC Photo Contest has celebrated how our community experiences and protects the outdoors. The contest returned this year after a brief hiatus—and the judges had their work cut out for them, with 400 submissions from photographers across AMC’s region!
The 2025 Categories were:
- Critical Landscapes: The natural beauty of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
- Outdoor Access: Tools, gear, and guides that break down barriers to the outdoors.
- Welcoming Community: Stories of human connection in our favorite places.
- Joyful Experiences: Outdoor fun, exhilaration, and adventures to remember.
A heartfelt thank you to all who submitted—your photos had us feeling everything from delight and wonder to awestruck, silent gratitude for these places we love so much and the people we get to share them with. Scroll down to discover our 2025 winners, along with notes from this years’ judges on what made these photos stand out.
Critical Landscapes
“Arriving Home At Monticello Lawn” by Robert Reenan
Location: On the south slope of Mt. Jefferson looking towards the Great Gulf and Mount Washington
Story of the Shot: Descending Mt. Jefferson, my partner (Jen DeLeonardis) and I were overwhelmed by the beauty of Washington and the Great Gulf on this very cold and windy day. We were alone, and the opportunity to gain perspective was too good to pass on, so Jen descended to Monticello Lawn while I watched, savored, waited and captured images when it felt right. The rest is in the photo—here is our belonging place in the world writ large, at Home, tiny us.
Why we loved it: This composition tells such a captivating story. Dwarfed by the vastness of Mt. Jefferson, the lone hiker cuts a vulnerable yet inspiring figure. This moment reminds us why we choose to get up off the couch and brave the high summits’ rime ice, bitter wind chills, and exhausting climbs. It’s all worth it for that one moment when we come home to the mountain and ourselves.
Outdoor Access
“Wheely Happy” by Garrick Hoffman
Location: Trails at AMC Medawisla Lodge
Story of the Shot: On a late summer weekend, I joined a group of cyclists from a Maine-based nonprofit, Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training, or VAST, on a ride through the trails of the Appalachian Mountain Club Medawisla Lodge in northern Maine. VAST is a beneficiary of the AMC Outdoor Journey Fund. At one point we paused to help this gentleman around a gate, and I used the opportunity to grab my camera and photograph this joyous little moment.
Why we love it: This is what outdoor access is all about: joy, mutual support, and shared experience. It reflects our commitment to creating welcoming, accessible outdoor spaces where everyone can join in on the adventure. The outdoors only gets better when more people can find joy in it.
Welcoming Community
“By My Fire Again,” by William Adamczak
Location: Elk Lake in North Hudson, NY (Adirondacks)
Story of the Shot: In early fall I had the chance to go with my family to watch a pair of friends performing by a campfire along the shores of Elk Lake along the edge of the Adirondack High Peaks. As the skies got dark, the stars and the Milky Way began to show above us. I saw the combination and ran to grab the correct lens from my car to capture the scene. One of the songs Josh Clevenstine played that night was entitled, “By My Fire Again”—a perfect description of that evening.
Why we love it: This photo captures three of our favorite ways to bring people together: a campfire, music, and a starry sky overhead. At AMC, we know that a certain kind of magic happens when people spend time together outdoors—the ups and downs of the day are forgotten, replaced by the warmth of the fire and an opportunity for connection with nature and each other that can otherwise be so hard to find in our busy lives. We hope to get an invite to the next campfire! You’re always invited to ours.
Joyful Experiences
“Summer Day On The Bigelow Lawn” by Benjamin Adams
Location: The junction of the Lawn Cutoff and Davis Path on the Bigelow Lawn
Story of the Shot: Earlier that morning, my fiancé Meridyth (pictured) and I climbed the notorious Huntington Ravine trail. Instead of summiting Washington, we decided to amble around the alpine plateau that surrounds it and soak up a perfect summer day.
Why we love it: Just one look at this image and we could feel the joy. This photo transports us to our favorite bluebird days on the mountain: the warmth of the sun on our faces, the wind rippling through the alpine sedges, and the endless blue sky. Even without seeing the hiker’s face, we know the smile they’re wearing because we’ve worn it too. Is it summer yet?