VBG In Bloom
Photo above by Jake Sandell
In Bloom Photo Contest:
Each spring, the Ventura Botanical Gardens invites photographers of all ages and experience levels to capture the Gardens through their own unique lens. The annual In Bloom Photo Contest celebrates the landscapes, plants, wildlife, people and moments that tell the story of the Gardens.
The 2026 In Bloom Photo Contest featured the theme Garden Stories, inviting photographers to capture the people, activities and experiences that bring the Gardens to life. Winners were recognized through both Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Winners!
Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their view of the Gardens with us. Explore the winning photographs below and get inspired for next year.
Want to enter the 2027 In Bloom Photo Contest? Keep your camera ready and stay tuned for next spring’s theme, submission dates, contest rules and entry details. Your next visit to the Gardens could capture a winning moment!
2026 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Judges Choice
1st Place: Alex Ayala
"Solitude in the Gardens"
2nd Place: Ellie Enriquez
"Looking Back at Life"
3rd Place: Robert Garven Jr.
"We Love the Garden"
Honorable Mention: Samantha Warren
"Where Childhood Meets the Coastline"
People's Choice
1st Place: Marney Villanueva
2nd Place: Alicia Barreto Ray
3rd Place (tie): Ellie Enriquez
3rd Place (tie): Alex Ayala
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