| Copyright | Entrants retain copyright rights in their submitted photos and, where possible, the Promoter will credit them. All entrants give the Promoter a worldwide royalty free license to use, reproduce and exhibit the submitted photos in all media, only for the purposes of promoting or publicising this Competition or future RSPCA Young Photographer Awards for a period of ten years from 26 August 2013. |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Open to all residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or below |
| Finish | 26 August 2013 |
| Entry fee | Free |
Finished
The aim of the competition is to encourage young people’s interest in photography and to show their appreciation and understanding of the animals around them.
Categories:
- Under 12 years
- 12-15 years
- 16-18 years
- Pet Personalities
- Portfolio
- Making Life Better
- People’s Choice Award
Prizes:
- Category winners – an Olympus camera
- An Overall Winner Award prize will be awarded to the category winner whose photo is selected by the judges. They will receive a weekend photography break, courtesy of Natures Images.
All finalists to the Competition will be notified by the Promoter by letter, no later than 19 October 2013.
Image requirements: JPEG saved at the highest quality; under 10MB in file size. You may use contrast and colour settings to make your pictures look really good, and you can remove dust spots that have appeared by accident. You can also change an image from colour to black-and-white but don’t add artificial colours or change them too much
Online submission of digital photographs via the website. You can enter up to five photos in your age category plus another five in the Pet Personalities ansd Making Life Better categories. You can also enter up to three sets of images (five photos in each set) in the Portfolio category. This means that you can enter a maximum of 30 pictures in total.
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 — Free photography contests
Who can enter free photography contests?
Most free contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of experience level or equipment. Many explicitly encourage students, hobbyists, and emerging creators—always verify age requirements or thematic restrictions on the official contest page.
Are free photography contests really free?
Yes—entry is $0 across the board. Some contests offer optional paid perks like expedited feedback or printed certificates, but submission, judging, and basic participation remain completely free. Fee status is confirmed in the Quick Facts section on each PhotoCompete listing.
What prizes do free photography contests offer?
Prizes vary widely: cash awards range $100–$5,000, while non-monetary rewards include online features, publication credits, mentorship sessions, exhibition inclusion, or gear donations. Even without cash, free contests offer valuable exposure and portfolio-building opportunities.
How do I choose which free contest to enter?
Prioritize contests whose theme or mission aligns with your work. Review past winners to gauge style preferences, confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), and read rights clauses carefully—even free contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.