Wildlife Photographer of the Year 63

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the best-known nature photography competitions in the world, run by the Natural History Museum in London. The 63rd competition opens for entries on 19 October 2026 and closes on 3 December 2026. Winning images are shown in an exhibition that opens at the museum and then tours internationally, and the overall winner receives the competition's top title.

Photographers aged 18 and over can enter up to 25 photographs across 19 categories for a single fee of £35. Entry is free for photographers aged 18 to 26 on the closing date and for residents of listed countries in Africa, Central and South America and Asia-Pacific. A separate Young competition, free to enter, is open to photographers aged 17 and under.

The competition is strict about ethics and authenticity. Images are judged anonymously in two rounds, and the final round includes checks that the photographs are genuine and were taken without harming or disturbing wildlife.

Who Can Enter Wildlife Photographer of the Year?

The adult competition is open to photographers of any nationality aged 18 and over, both amateur and professional. Photographers aged 17 and under on the closing day enter the Young competition, with up to 10 photos in their age bracket and no fee.

It is particularly relevant to:

• Wildlife and nature photographers at every level
• Photojournalists covering the environment and conservation
• Underwater, urban wildlife and plant photographers
• Young photographers aged 18 to 26, who enter for free

What Can You Enter?

You can enter up to 25 photographs in total, spread across the 19 categories, and the same image may be entered in more than one category. Black and white images are accepted in every category.

Some categories ask for a series rather than single images. These require between 6 and 10 photographs, and each one counts towards the overall limit of 25.

Photographs must have been taken on or after 1 November 2021.

Entry Fees

• Adult competition: £35 for up to 25 photos, paid once through the entry portal
• Free entry: photographers aged 18–26 on the closing date, and residents of listed countries in Africa, Central and South America and Asia-Pacific (evidence may be requested)
• Young competition: free

What Do Selected Entrants Receive?

• Category winners are considered for the overall Grand Title
• Young category winners are considered for the Young Grand Title
• Exhibition: winning images are shown in the exhibition in London, which then tours internationally
• Awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum

The full list of prizes for each award is published on the competition's prizes page.

Submission Requirements

Entries are made through the online entry portal; payment can be made by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Revolut. Before you enter, read the "Prepare to enter" guidance, which sets out how images may be processed and what information is needed.

Prepare for each image:

• The photograph in the required format
• A caption explaining the subject, location and circumstances
• Technical details

Important Rules

• Photographs must be original images taken with photographic equipment; AI-generated content is not allowed.
• Farm animals, pets and cultivated plants and fungi are not eligible subjects.
• Baiting and luring are prohibited, and the welfare of wildlife comes first.
• Digital adjustments must follow the competition's processing rules.
• Images that have already won awards in other international competitions are discouraged.

When Will Entrants Be Notified?

Entries are judged anonymously in two rounds. First-round results are published on 22 January 2027, and the final decision is made by 12 March 2027. The final round includes authenticity checks.

Things to Consider

• Use your 25 entries well. The same picture can go into more than one category if it fits.
• Check your age on the closing date. If you are 26 or younger on 3 December 2026, entry is free.
• Write strong captions. The story behind an image, and how it was taken, matters to the jury.
• Keep your originals. Authenticity checks in the final round require the original files.
• Respect the ethics rules. Any sign of baiting or disturbance can disqualify an image.
• Enter before the last morning. Entries close at 11:30 GMT on 3 December, not at midnight.

Enter the Competition

Interested in submitting your work?

Enter Wildlife Photographer of the Year 63

For the categories, rules and entry portal, visit the official Natural History Museum competition page.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 12, 2026