| Copyright | The copyright in all images submitted to the Competition will remain with the copyright holder who will be credited as follows: ©photographer’s name. each entrant grants to the Owners a non-exclusive irrevocable licence to reproduce, publish and communicate to the public by any means and exhibit their awarded image(s) and copies of their awarded image(s) in all media throughout the world in relation to the Competition and the Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all photographers, worldwide. |
| Finish | 25 February 2013 |
| Entry fee | £20.00 |
Finished
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition champions ethical wildlife photography, the faithful representation of the natural world, free from excessive digital adjustment, with honesty in all captioning, and with total regard for the welfare of the animals and their environment. Do not enter images of family pets or farm animals or cultivated plants.
If you’re 17 years old or under, you may enter free of charge in the Young categories.
Adult categories:
- Animal Portraits
- Behaviour: Mammals
- Behaviour: Birds
- Behaviour: Cold-Blooded Animals
- Animals in their Environment
- Botanical Realms
- Underwater Worlds
- Wildscapes
- Urban Wildlife
- Nature in Black and White
- Creative Visions
- Special awards
- Eric Hosking Portfolio Award
- Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Species
- World in Our Hands Award
- Wildlife Photojournalist Award
Prizes:
- Each category winner shares part of a £30,000 prize fund, with £10,000 for the overall grand title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, £1000 for all category winners, and £1500 for winners of special award categories.
- a trip to London to attend the exclusive awards night at the Natural History Museum.
Awarded entrants will be notified Mid-May 2013.
Image requirements: JPEG format, saved at the quality setting 10 in Photoshop, Adobe RGB (1998), and must be 1920 pixels on the longest dimension. No borders, watermarks or signature. Not allowed: adding or removing animals, parts of animals, plants, distractions, people etc.; composites and sandwich shots that add elements
Online submission of digital photographs via the website. For printing in all media and for inclusion in the exhibition, a high resolution image (preferably TIFF) will be requested if your image reaches the Final Round of judging. Entrants aged 17 and under may enter up to 10 images FREE. Adult entrants may submit a total of 20 images. Up to 5 images can be entered into each category apart from the following special awards: entrants to the Wildlife Photojournalist Award must submit a photo story of 6 images; entrants to the Eric Hosking Portfolio Award must submit a portfolio of 6 to 10 images.
Frequently asked questions — Animal photography contests
Who can enter animal photography contests?
Most animal contests welcome photographers worldwide, from hobbyists to professionals. Many prioritize ethical shooting practices and authentic animal behavior—review guidelines to confirm if your work aligns with wildlife conservation, pet photography, or artistic animal portrait focuses.
Are animal photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$45 per image, with early-bird discounts or multi-entry bundles often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do animal photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($200–$20,000) to publication in nature magazines, exhibition features, professional gear, or donations to animal conservation projects. Recognition from respected wildlife organizations can amplify your impact and credibility in the animal photography community.
How do I choose which animal contest to enter?
Match your strongest animal images to the contest's focus—wildlife behavior, domestic pets, macro details, or conservation storytelling. Review past winners for style cues, verify ethical guidelines (no baiting or staging), and confirm technical specs like resolution and metadata requirements.
Frequently asked questions — International photography contests
Who can enter international photography contests?
Most international contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality or experience level. Always verify eligibility on the official contest page—some restrict by age (18+), amateur/professional status, or thematic focus.
Are international photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$50 per image, with early-bird discounts often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do international photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$25,000) to gallery exhibitions, publication features, professional gear, and artist residencies. Prestigious awards like the Sony World Photography Awards or IPA carry significant industry recognition.
How do I choose which international contest to enter?
Align your strongest work with the contest theme and review past winners to gauge aesthetic preferences. Confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), check rights clauses carefully, and prioritize contests whose mission matches your artistic goals.