VBG In Bloom
2025 In Bloom Photo Contest: Garden Stories
In past years the photo contest has focused on the colorful beauty of our blooms and the wildlife visitors we enjoy in the spring. This year, the theme of the contest will be Garden Stories. Submissions should highlight events and people engaged in activities in the Gardens. With the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” in mind, the goal of the photo contest this year is to expand the stories of the Gardens.
The contest entry period will be May 9 – 30. Entrants will be limited to 2 submissions.
Peoples’ Choice winners will be judged on social media. Judges’ Choice winners are selected by a panel of photography professionals.
Winners will be notified in mid-June. The photos will published in News from the Gardens and, with the permission of the publisher, The Breeze.
Finding Stories in the Gardens
The Spring 2025 calendar of events offers photographers many opportunities to capture special moments in the Ventura Botanical Gardens, such as capturing plein air artists at their easels, enjoying a weekend flower show, or indulging in a wine and cheese tasting. See upcoming activities below or view the calendar. Events are added frequently, check back often!
Unscheduled activities such as docent tour groups or ways you might enjoy the Gardens such as contemplation, family time, dog walking, birding, volunteering and other activities throughout the year can also be subjects for entries and will fulfill the Garden Stories entry criteria.
Rules, Requirements and Releases
All participants are required to agree to the rules and regulations, which can be downloaded below. If your contest entries include images of faces, your image's subject will need to fill out a copyright release form giving VBG permission to use and publish their image. Silhouettes, backs of heads, or obscured images of faces do not require permission for publication as long as faces are not recognizable. Parents/guardians must fill out the form for their children.
Upcoming Activities at the Gardens
See upcoming activities below or view the full calendar. Events are added frequently, check back often!
Plein Air Paint Out – Artist’s Call
Calling all artists! For the first time, the VBG Paint Out is an open artist call. Join us and paint your favorite flowers, plants and garden vistas al fresco. Open…
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Easy Garden Sketching
Join Mary-Gail King who will be teaching graphite and water color. This is a beginner class and a relaxing way to start to observe the world around you and record…
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Tomatomania
Get ready for a fun-filled, educational weekend at Tomatomania, coming to Ventura Botanical Gardens April 12-13! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this event is your ultimate destination…
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Tax Day Free Day
Invite your friends and family to take a well-deserved break at the Ventura Botanical Gardens this Tax Day. Leashed dogs are welcome. Be sure to stop into our Courtyard garden…
Read More2024 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Ventura County photographers of all ages and skill levels shared their BEST three images taken in the Chilean, California Ramble, Mediterranean, and South African Gardens. It was remarkable to have our locals share the magic within the Gardens, and we are excited to announce the Judge's and People's Choice winners for the 2024 In Bloom Photo Contest. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated!
Judges Choice - Best Overall
Lina Li
Garden: South African
Judges Choice - Birds & Bees
Matthew Bear
Garden: South African
Kristine Behrens
Garden: South African
Lini Li
Garden: South African
Samantha Warren
Garden: Chilean
Judges Choice - Botanical Closeup
Michelle DiGuilio
Garden: South African
Lukas Liebischer
Garden: Chilean
Josh Kaplan
Garden: Unknown
Ekaterina Taganova
Garden: South African
Kyle Svenningsen
Garden: South African
Judges Choice - In the Gardens
Dan Harding
Garden: Chilean
Samantha Mellinger-Hutchinson
Garden: South African
Lee Mooney
Garden: South African
Chris Nova
Garden: South African
Lou Matz
Garden: Chilean
People Choice Winners
1st Place: Aleli Evangelista
Garden: Unknown
2nd Place: Andrew Waud
Garden: South African
3rd Place: Matthew Bear
Garden: South African
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