Top 20 International Photography Competitions
Top 20 International Nature and Wildlife Photography Competitions
Discover the top 20 international nature and wildlife photography competitions offering global recognition, conservation impact, exhibitions, and career growth.
International Nature and Wildlife Photography Competitions
Nature and wildlife photography has evolved into one of the most influential forms of visual communication in the modern world. Beyond artistic expression, wildlife photography serves as a powerful medium for conservation awareness, environmental education, scientific documentation, and storytelling. From documenting endangered species and fragile ecosystems to revealing extraordinary animal behaviour, photographers play a vital role in connecting people with the natural world.International photography competitions have become important platforms for recognizing excellence in this field. They provide photographers with opportunities for global exposure, publication, exhibitions, networking, professional development, and conservation advocacy. Many of the world's most respected wildlife photographers have gained international recognition through success in major photography competitions. For photographers interested in birds, mammals, marine life, landscapes, macro photography, conservation, and environmental storytelling, participation in these competitions can be both professionally rewarding and personally enriching.
The following twenty competitions represent some of the most prestigious and influential opportunities available to nature and wildlife photographers worldwide.
1. Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY)
Website: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy
Organized by the Natural History Museum in London, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious wildlife photography competition. Established in 1964, it attracts tens of thousands of entries annually from photographers representing more than 90 countries.
The competition encompasses a wide range of categories, including mammals, birds, plants, underwater photography, behaviour, photojournalism, urban wildlife, and portfolios. Winning images are exhibited internationally and published in accompanying books and catalogues.
What distinguishes Wildlife Photographer of the Year is its emphasis on authenticity, ethical photography, conservation relevance, and technical excellence. A WPY award is often considered one of the highest achievements in wildlife photography.
2. Bird Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.birdpoty.com
Bird Photographer of the Year is the world's leading competition dedicated exclusively to bird photography. It attracts entries from amateur enthusiasts and professional bird photographers alike.
Categories include bird behaviour, birds in flight, bird portraits, urban birds, conservation, black-and-white photography, and portfolios. The competition supports bird conservation initiatives through partnerships with international conservation organizations.
For photographers specializing in avian subjects, particularly birds in flight, Bird Photographer of the Year has become one of the most prestigious and influential competitions globally.
3. Nature Photographer of the Year (NPOTY)
Website: https://naturephotographeroftheyear.com
Nature Photographer of the Year recognizes excellence across wildlife, landscapes, macro photography, underwater imagery, and conservation photography.
The competition places strong emphasis on artistic vision while maintaining a commitment to ethical nature photography. Winning photographs often demonstrate exceptional creativity alongside ecological significance.
NPOTY has developed a strong international reputation and attracts photographers from across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and Oceania.
4. World Nature Photography Awards (WNPA)
Website: https://www.worldnaturephotographyawards.com
The World Nature Photography Awards was created to celebrate the beauty of nature while promoting environmental conservation.
The competition includes categories for birds, mammals, animal behaviour, underwater photography, landscapes, plants and fungi, photojournalism, and environmental stories. It encourages photographers to create images that inspire appreciation for biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
The rapid growth of WNPA has made it one of the most influential wildlife photography competitions of recent years.
5. European Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.gdtfoto.de
Hosted by the German Society for Nature Photography (GDT), this competition has become one of the most respected wildlife photography awards in the world.
Despite its European title, photographers from around the globe participate. The competition is renowned for its exceptionally high standards, artistic excellence, and strong emphasis on conservation.
Winning images frequently set new benchmarks in wildlife photography and often gain international publication.
6. BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition
Website: https://www.bigpicturecompetition.org
The BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition is organized by the California Academy of Sciences and focuses on biodiversity, environmental awareness, and conservation storytelling.
The competition rewards images that not only demonstrate technical excellence but also convey meaningful messages about ecological systems and conservation challenges.
Winning photographers often receive significant exposure within scientific, educational, and conservation communities.
7. Audubon Photography Awards
Website: https://www.audubon.org/photography
The Audubon Photography Awards celebrate bird photography and bird conservation. Organized by the National Audubon Society, the competition attracts outstanding avian photographers from around the world.
Winning images frequently highlight both the beauty of birds and the challenges they face in changing environments. The competition has become highly respected among bird photographers and conservationists alike.
8. Sony World Photography Awards – Natural World & Wildlife Category
Website: https://www.worldphoto.org
The Sony World Photography Awards is one of the largest photography competitions in the world. Although it covers numerous photographic genres, its Natural World & Wildlife category consistently attracts exceptional wildlife photography.
The competition offers substantial international exposure through exhibitions, publications, media coverage, and professional networking opportunities.
9. MontPhoto International Nature Photography Contest
Website: https://www.montphoto.com
MontPhoto is recognized for its strong ethical standards and commitment to environmental conservation.
Photographers are encouraged to submit work that reflects respect for wildlife and natural habitats. Categories include wildlife, landscapes, ecological storytelling, and conservation photography.
MontPhoto's reputation for promoting ethical field practices makes it highly respected among nature photographers.
10. Asferico International Nature Photography Competition
Website: https://www.asferico.com
Organized by the Italian Association of Nature Photographers, Asferico has become one of Europe's leading nature photography competitions.
Categories include mammals, birds, plants, landscapes, underwater photography, and conservation projects. Winning images are often distinguished by both artistic excellence and scientific relevance.
11. Memorial Maria Luisa Photography Competition
Website: https://www.memorialmarialuisa.com
Memorial Maria Luisa is internationally recognized for mountain, wilderness, adventure, and wildlife photography.
The competition attracts photographers who work in remote and challenging environments, documenting both natural landscapes and wildlife. It is particularly respected among outdoor and expedition photographers.
12. Oasis Photo Contest
Website: https://www.oasisphotocontest.com
The Oasis Photo Contest celebrates wildlife, bird photography, landscapes, underwater photography, and environmental storytelling.
It is widely respected for its high-quality judging process and strong representation of international nature photographers.
The competition continues to attract participants from every continent.
13. Nature's Best Photography Awards
Website: https://www.naturesbestphotography.org
Nature's Best Photography Awards recognizes excellence in wildlife, conservation, natural landscapes, and environmental journalism.
Winning images are frequently exhibited in museums and educational institutions, contributing to broader public awareness of environmental issues.
The competition has become a significant platform for conservation-oriented photographers.
14. International Landscape Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.internationallandscapephotographer.com
Although primarily focused on landscape photography, this competition frequently showcases extraordinary wilderness imagery and natural environments.
Many wildlife photographers participate due to the competition's recognition of remote ecosystems and conservation-related landscapes.
Its annual publication is regarded as one of the finest collections of contemporary landscape photography.
15. Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY)
Website: https://www.cupoty.com
Close-up Photographer of the Year specializes in macro and close-up photography.
Subjects include insects, amphibians, plants, fungi, textures, and microscopic natural phenomena. The competition reveals details of the natural world that are often overlooked.
Its unique focus has helped elevate macro photography as an important component of nature photography.
16. Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Website: https://www.comedywildlifephoto.com
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards combines wildlife photography with humour while promoting conservation awareness.
Winning images often capture amusing animal expressions, interactions, and unexpected moments in nature. Despite its playful approach, the competition supports important conservation initiatives and environmental organizations.
Its popularity has introduced wildlife photography to broader audiences worldwide.
17. Environmental Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.ciwem.org
This competition focuses on environmental issues, sustainability, climate change, biodiversity, and the relationship between people and nature.
Rather than concentrating solely on wildlife, the competition encourages photographers to explore environmental challenges and solutions through visual storytelling.
It has become an important platform for environmental journalism and advocacy.
18. Ocean Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.oceanographicmagazine.com
Organized by Oceanographic Magazine, Ocean Photographer of the Year celebrates marine ecosystems and ocean conservation.
Categories include underwater wildlife, marine conservation, adventure, ocean exploration, and coastal environments.
The competition has become one of the most prestigious platforms for marine and underwater photographers.
19. Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year
Website: https://africageographic.com/photographer-of-the-year
Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year is one of Africa's most respected wildlife photography competitions.
It emphasizes ethical wildlife photography, conservation storytelling, and authentic representation of African ecosystems. Winning images often feature iconic African wildlife as well as lesser-known species and habitats.
The competition enjoys strong international recognition and attracts entries from photographers worldwide.
20. Africa's Photographer of the Year
Website: https://www.africasphotographeroftheyear.com
Africa's Photographer of the Year celebrates the continent's extraordinary biodiversity, landscapes, cultures, and conservation heritage.
The competition provides a platform for both emerging and established photographers while promoting appreciation for Africa's natural environments.
It continues to grow in international stature and visibility.
Why These Competitions Matter
International nature and wildlife photography competitions provide benefits that extend far beyond prizes and awards. Participation encourages photographers to refine their technical skills, develop stronger visual storytelling abilities, and engage more deeply with conservation issues.
Many competitions offer exhibitions viewed by thousands of visitors, publication in prestigious books and magazines, media exposure, and opportunities to collaborate with conservation organizations. Recognition from a major competition can significantly enhance a photographer's professional credibility and open doors to new assignments, workshops, speaking engagements, and publishing opportunities.
For photographers specializing in wildlife and birds in flight, competitions such as Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Bird Photographer of the Year, Nature Photographer of the Year, World Nature Photography Awards, and Africa Geographic Photographer of the Year represent particularly valuable opportunities. These competitions consistently attract the highest calibre of nature photography and are widely followed by editors, publishers, conservationists, and photography enthusiasts.
Top Photography Competitions South Africa
Conclusion
The world's leading nature and wildlife photography competitions serve as powerful platforms for celebrating biodiversity, promoting conservation, and advancing photographic excellence. They highlight not only technical mastery but also the ability of photography to inspire environmental awareness and stewardship.
For photographers committed to documenting the natural world, participation in these competitions offers opportunities for learning, recognition, and meaningful contribution to conservation efforts. Whether photographing birds in flight along the South African coastline, wildlife on the African savannah, marine life beneath the ocean surface, or remote mountain ecosystems, these competitions provide pathways to international visibility and professional growth.
Ultimately, the most successful competition photographs are not merely technically excellent images. They are visual narratives that deepen our understanding of nature, encourage conservation action, and remind viewers of the extraordinary beauty and fragility of the living world.
