Showcase your photography as the winner of the Summer 2025 Lock Screen Photo Contest

Submit your favorite photo to OCIO and your work may be featured as the lock screen image for 12,000 Smithsonian Windows computer screens in multiple states and countries.

The deadline for photo submissions is now Friday, June 13th. 

Please note that due to the photo submission extension, voting will now take place starting Friday, June 20th until Sunday, June 29th.

We appreciate the enthusiasm and artistry shown by those who have already submitted photos and look forward to further submissions. OCIO thanks you for your understanding and continued participation!

Photo Submission Requirements

We are looking for high-quality photos that would make an excellent desktop lock screen background image. The image will be displayed on over 12,000 Windows computer screens in multiple states and countries and may be visible to both staff and visitors.

• Photo Subject: Must be Smithsonian-related image. It should not include identifiable staff or visitors unless specific permission has been granted from the subject authorizing their image can be used. Collections objects, outdoor landscapes, research in progress, images of parts of facilities, etc. are desirable.
• Photo Resolution: 3840×2160 (4K) is ideal. A minimum of 1920 x1080 resolution is required.
• Photo Orientation: All photos must be in landscape (wide) orientation.
• File Type and Naming: Must be in JPEG format and the filename must be unique and include the submitter’s network ID or lastname. (Ex. SmithsonJ_CastleinSnow2023.jpeg
• Ownership/Credit: The photo must be original and fully owned by SI or the contributing photographer. Do not submit images from the web!
• Two Photo Maximum: Due to the popularity of the contest, you are limited to two (2) photo submissions per season. Send us your best!

Previous winners

Fall 2024

This photo was taken at the end of the day while we were monitoring corals near the Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program based at Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. Our team had tagged over 300 Acropora corals, and we were monitoring how these corals grew, died or even moved on the reef. Branches and entire coral colonies sometimes broke off and rolled down the reef where they would later re-attach and grow. If you look closely, you can see that the topside researcher is wearing a winter hat, in an effort to warm up after a very long, shallow dive. (Photo by Zachary Folz)

Winter 2024

A rainbow seems to mark the Smithsonian Castle with special attention. (Photo by Alice Tangerini)

Spring 2025

“This image was taken in the Arts and Industries Building during the September 2024 launch of the Smithsonian Campaign for Our Shared Future. The building’s architecture and Rotunda have always interested me and combined with the beautiful display of specimens from Smithsonian Gardens orchid collection, I was inspired to take this photograph.”
— Joanne Leese

Summer 2025