Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2027 is now open for entries!
Brief Overview
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2027 competition invites photographers worldwide to capture the beauty and diversity of nature, offering prestigious awards, international exhibitions and global recognition.
Competition Details
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2027, organised by the Natural History Museum in London, invites photographers from around the world to submit outstanding images celebrating wildlife, nature and the relationship between people and the natural world.
Recognised as one of the world's most prestigious wildlife photography competitions, the award celebrates creativity, visual storytelling, originality and ethical photographic practice. It welcomes both professional and amateur photographers, regardless of their photographic equipment.
The competition includes 19 adult categories, alongside a dedicated Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for photographers aged 17 and under. Black-and-white photographs are accepted across all categories.
Entries are assessed anonymously by an expert judging panel, with particular attention to originality, narrative, authenticity and respect for wildlife and natural habitats.
Submission requirements
➜ Adult entrants may submit up to 25 photographs across 19 categories. Young photographers may submit up to 10 photographs in their age bracket.
➜ Images must be submitted as JPEG files, Adobe RGB (1998), with the longest side measuring 1,920 pixels.
➜ Each photograph requires an informative caption of up to 2,500 characters, including relevant details about the subject, location and circumstances.
➜ Adult competition photographs must have been taken on or after 1 November 2021.
➜ AI-generated images, misleading digital manipulation, watermarks and signatures are not permitted.
➜ Entrants must retain their original files for possible authenticity verification.
Eligibility
The competition is open to photographers worldwide, including professionals and amateurs.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year: photographers aged 18 and over on the closing date.
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year: photographers aged 17 and under on the closing date.
Benefits
➜ Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title: £15,000, trophy and personalised certificate, in addition to the category prize.
➜ Adult Category Winners: £1,250, personalised certificate, trip to London for the awards ceremony and publication in the WPY Portfolio book.
➜ Portfolio Award and Photojournalist Story Award: £2,500 each, plus additional recognition and benefits.
➜ Rising Star Portfolio Award: £1,500 and additional professional opportunities.
➜ Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title: £2,000, trophy and personalised certificate, in addition to the category prize.
➜ Young Category Winners: £500, personalised certificate, trip to London and publication in the WPY Portfolio book.
➜ Selected photographs may receive international exhibition opportunities, publication and media exposure.
Entry fees
Adult competition: £35 for up to 25 photographs across 19 categories.
Free entry for Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year participants, entrants aged 18–26 and eligible residents of designated countries.
Young competition: free entry for up to 10 photographs.
