2026 Annual Photo Contest

Winners

In 1979, Brian Shortsleeve founded Cape Cod Life with two specific goals. First, to share his love for the Cape & Islands, and second, to do so through beautiful photography.

Our Annual Photo Contest pays homage to Brian’s original mission by showcasing the hard work of local photographers, who spend early morning hours in the marshes of Sandwich or along the dunes of Truro, trying to immortalize one perfect Cape Cod moment.

Winners by category

2026 Grand Prize

By Mary Beth Sandman: Brewster
Grand-Prize-Winner-By-Mary-Beth-Sandman-Brewster-buoy-bird

2026 Kids & Pets

1st Place - By Ryan Beaulieu - Cape Cod Bay, Brewster

Kids-&-Pets-First-Place-By-Ryan-Beaulieu--Cape-Cod-Bay,-Brewster-Dogs

2nd Place - By Katherine Matzen - Washburn Island, Falmouth

Kids-&-Pets-Second-Place--By-Katherine-Matzen--Washburn-Island,-Falmouth--IMG_4873

3rd Place - By Alexander D'Anna - Saint's Landing Beach, Brewster

Kids-&-Pets-Third-Place--By-Alexander-D'Anna--Saints-Landing-Beach,-Brewster--DAnna-Onyx-Compressed

Honorable Mention - By Albert Cummings - Eagle Pond, Barnstable

Kids-&-Pets-Honorable-Mention--By-Albert-Cummings--Eagle-Pond,-Barnstable--IMG_6642

2026 Recognizable Places

1st Place - By Michael Mondville - Sandwich

Recognizable-Places--First-Place--By-Michael-Mondville--Sandwich--brdwalk-cplfe

2nd Place - By Erin McKenna - Nauset Lighthouse, Eastham

Recognizable-Places-Second-Place--By-Erin-McKenna--Nauset-Lighthouse,-Eastham--IMG_8385

3rd Place - By Michael Mondville - Kalmar Nyckel, Sandwich

Recognizable-Places-Third-Place--By-Michael-Mondville--Kalmar-Nyckel,-Sandwich--kalmar-aug2025-3a

Honorable Mention - By Michael Mondville - Aurora at the Bourne Bridge, Bourne

Recognizable-Places-Honorable-Mention--By-Michael-Mondville--Aurora-at-the-Bourne-Bridge,-Bourne--bourne-bridge-aurora

2026 Seascapes

1st Place - By Maureen Holland - Brewster Flats, Brewster

Seascapes--First-Place--By-Maureen-Holland--Brewster-Flats,-Brewster--DSC_1579

2nd Place - By Janice Murray - Chatham

Seascapes-Second-Place--By-Janice-Murray--Chatham--Morning-LOW-Sail

3rd Place - By David Long - West Falmouth Harbor, Falmouth

Seascapes-Third-Place-By-David-Long--West-Falmouth-Harbor,-Falmouth-DE8A5998-Pano-1

Honorable Mention - By Kseniia Jackson - Cold Storage Beach, Dennis

Seascapes-Honorable-Mention-By-Kseniia-Jackson-Cold-Storage-Beach,-Dennis-2E0A1935

2026 Cape Characters

1st Place - By David Long - The Hydrangea Whisperer: Mal Condon, Sandwich 

Cape-Characters---First-Place--By-David-Long--The-Hydrangea-Whisperer,-Mal-Condon--Sandwich--DE8A0627-Edit-Edit-Edit-1

2nd Place - By Betsy Carothers - Harwich

Cape-Characters-Second-Place--By-Betsy-Carothers--Harwich-Foxy-Friend

3rd Place - By Jordan Scanlon - Chatham

Cape-Characters-Third-Place--By-Jordan-Scanlon--Chatham--Seal.Colony.Photography.by_.Jordan.Scanlon

Honorable Mention - By Sarah Hatfield - East Sandwich Beach, Sandwich

Cape-Characters-Honorable-Mention--By-Sarah-Hatfield--East-Sandwich-Beach--IMG_6836

2026 Photographers' Choice

1st Place - By Patricia Chamberlin - Brewster Flats, Brewster

Photographers’-Choice-First-Place---By-Patricia-Chamberlin--Brewster-Flats,-Brewster-IMG_2346

2nd Place - By Michael Mondville - Milky Way, Chatham

Photographers'-Choice-Second-Place--By-Michael-Mondville--Milky-way,-Chatham--chatham-milk-7-22

3rd Place - By Rachel Cardillo - Cole Road Beach, Eastham

Photographers-Choice-Third-Place--By-Rachel-Cardillo--Cole-Road-Beach,-Eastham--IMG_0421

Honorable Mention - By Michael Mondville - Chatham Harbor, Chatham

Photographers-Choice-Honorable-Mention--By-Michael-Mondville--Chatham-Harbor,-Chatham--chatham-harbor-3

Readers' Choice Photo - Vote Now!

We want to hear from YOU! Cast your vote for our 5th Annual Readers' Choice Photo Award winner! The winning photo will be included alongside our 2026 Annual Photo Contest winners online and will receive a free one-year subscription to Cape Cod LIFE. Voting ends June 15th at 10AM.