Nature Next Door: A Community Photography Exhibit

Nature isn't somewhere else. It begins just outside our doors.

From songbirds in neighborhood trees to wildflowers along country roads, from rivers and prairies to insects smaller than a thumbnail, the natural world surrounds us every day. Nature Next Door celebrates the remarkable beauty and diversity of Central Texas through the eyes of our community.

The Mayborn Museum invites photographers of all experience levels to share their view of the natural world by submitting one original photograph for consideration in a community photography exhibit opening in December 2026.

Important Dates

September 1–October 18, 2026

Open Call for Entries

Submit your photograph and tell us the story behind it.

Late October–Early November 2026

Photographers Notified

Selected photographers will be contacted with additional information about the exhibit.

December 10, 2026

Opening Reception
5:30 p.m.

Join fellow photographers, museum supporters and members of the community to celebrate Central Texas through photography.

Who Can Enter?

Photographers of all experience levels are invited to participate.

Nature Explorers

Ages 17 and under

Community Photographers

Ages 18 and older

What Can I Submit?

Your photograph should capture the natural world of Central Texas. Your image might feature:

• Wildlife
• Birds and insects
• Plants and wildflowers
• Rivers, lakes and waterways
• Nature in your neighborhood
• Landscapes and other scenes that showcase Central Texas' natural beauty

Photographs must have been taken within 100 miles of Waco within the past five years.

Each photographer may submit one photograph.

Photograph Requirements

Before submitting, make sure your photograph meets the following requirements:

• Digital photograph only
• Minimum of 3,000 pixels on the longest side
• Landscape or portrait orientation
• No panoramic images
• Color or black-and-white
• Basic editing is permitted
• AI-generated or composite images are not eligible
• Photograph must be the original work of the person submitting the entry

Photographs that do not meet the eligibility requirements will not be considered for judging.

Tell Us the Story

A great photograph captures a moment. We also want to know what made you stop and look.

As part of your submission, you'll be asked to tell us a little more about your photograph.

Where did you take the photograph?

Please be as specific as possible about where in Central Texas you captured your image.

Why did you take this photograph?

Tell us what caught your attention or what makes this moment meaningful to you.

You'll also have the opportunity to tell us about the equipment and methods you used to create your photograph.

How Will Photographs Be Selected?

Every eligible photograph will be evaluated using four criteria, with a possible 100 points total:

What Do Selected Photographers Receive?

Selected photographers will have the opportunity to see their work become part of Nature Next Door at the Mayborn Museum.

Selected photographers will:

• Have their photograph displayed in the Nature Next Door exhibit at the Mayborn Museum
• Potentially have their photograph displayed at Moody Library and the Martin Museum of Art
• Receive an invitation to the exhibit's opening reception on December 10, 2026
• Receive four complimentary museum passes
• Receive their framed photograph at the conclusion of the exhibit

The exhibit is scheduled to remain on display through January 2028.

Ready to Share Your View of Nature?

Your neighborhood. Your perspective. Your photograph.

Submit your photograph by October 18, 2026.

[SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOGRAPH]

Nature Next Door will open at the Mayborn Museum in December 2026 and is scheduled to remain on display through January 2028.