JCC’s Take Your Best Shot Is Back for Fall

Every fall in Williamsburg, the leaves show off, the weather cools down, and the local parks turn into picture-perfect backdrops. This year, James City County wants you to grab your camera and prove you’ve got the best shot in town. The Take Your Best Shot photo contest is officially back, and it’s open to all ages—youth seventeen and under, and adults eighteen and up. Whether you’re snapping a crisp shot of wildlife, a sweeping park landscape, or just folks enjoying the trails, this is your chance to share your creativity and maybe even see your work featured around the county.

Participants are encouraged to explore some of our community’s most beloved spots: the Greensprings Interpretive Trail, Powhatan Creek Trail, and Jamestown Beach Event Park. Each location offers its own vibe—Greensprings with its history and wetlands, Powhatan Creek with its winding bridges and water views, and Jamestown Beach with its wide-open shoreline. These are places locals love, but during fall, they look extra magical. If you’ve ever thought, “This would make a great photo,” now’s your chance to put that thought into action.

The contest runs from September twenty-second through October twentieth, twenty twenty-five, giving photographers about a month to get outside and capture their best work. After submissions close, it’s up to the public to decide. From November third through November ninth, voting will take place on Facebook. So yes, you’ll need to rally your friends, family, and maybe your entire neighborhood to click “like” and push your photo to the top.

Winners won’t just get bragging rights. Selected photos will be featured on James City County’s website, social media, and even in the kiosks at the parks where they were taken. Imagine walking down the trail and spotting your photo proudly displayed for everyone to see—that’s a pretty great feeling.

For locals, this contest is more than just a fun fall activity. It’s also a way to highlight the beauty of our area and encourage folks to slow down and appreciate what makes Williamsburg special. Too often we’re rushing from point A to point B and forget that we’ve got world-class trails, waterways, and parks right here in our backyard.

And here’s the thing: you don’t need a fancy camera to win. Some of the best shots are taken on a smartphone with good timing and a little creativity. Lighting, perspective, and capturing a candid moment can matter more than equipment. So whether you’re a teen just starting out with photography or an adult who knows their way around a DSLR, you’ve got a shot at making your work stand out.

So this fall, instead of just scrolling past another sunset on Instagram, get outside and capture your own. Explore Greensprings, walk Powhatan Creek, or hit the beach at Jamestown with your camera in hand. Submit your photos, get your friends to vote, and you might just see your work showcased all across James City County.

Williamsburg isn’t just about history and colonial charm—it’s also about community and creativity. The Take Your Best Shot contest combines both, giving residents a way to celebrate the season and show off what makes our parks worth visiting year-round.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to dust off that camera or spend a Saturday outdoors, this is it. Fall colors don’t last forever, so take your best shot while you can.

More info here