Photography has the unique power to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and emotional connection. The Big Picture 2026 competition returns for its 13th year, continuing its mission to illustrate the rich diversity of life on Earth and inspire action to protect it. Organized by the California Academy of Sciences, this event calls upon visual storytellers to showcase the resilience and fragility of the natural world through their lenses.
As one of the most respected events among the trending photography challenges online, this competition distinguishes itself by prioritizing conservation and ecological narratives. With a total prize pool of $12,300 and a panel of esteemed judges chaired by Suzi Eszterhas, the competition offers a significant platform for photographers and, new for this year, videographers. The deadline to submit your work is March 1, 2026.
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The Big Picture 2026 Prizes
The awards structure is designed to reward exceptional talent with substantial financial support and visibility. A total of $12,300 in cash prizes is available to be shared among the winners.The winning images are traditionally featured in a major exhibition at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, providing photographers with exposure to millions of visitors.
The prizes are distributed as follows:
- Grand Prize: $5,000 is awarded to the overall winner.
- Category Winners: The winner of each category receives $1,000.
- People’s Choice Award: The winner of the public vote receives $300.
Related Photo Contests
The Categories of the Big Picture 2026
The competition invites submissions across seven distinct categories, covering every facet of the natural world. New for 2026 is the inclusion of a dedicated video segment to encourage multimedia storytelling.
- Art of Nature: This section looks for the artistic side of the wild. It focuses on composition, textures, and forms, making it the perfect fit for abstract and fine art interpretations of nature.
- Aquatic Life: Dedicated to the animals that inhabit our oceans and freshwater systems. This is the primary category for underwater imagery and seascape compositions that feature marine life.
- Winged Life: From birds and bats to insects, this category encompasses all creatures that fly.
- Landscapes, Waterscapes & Flora: A broad category celebrating the environment itself. It seeks stunning landscape shots and detailed looks at fauna and flora.
- Terrestrial Wildlife: Focuses on animals on land, capturing their behavior, portraits, and interactions in the wild.
- Human/Nature: This category explores the complex relationship between people and the planet. It calls for powerful conservation stories and photojournalism that highlight how we impact the natural world.
- Photo Story: Beyond The Photo: A new addition for 2026. This category asks photographers and videographers to reveal the narrative behind a single image or series through a short-form video (120 seconds max).
Big Picture 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
The competition encourages early participation with a discount code, but the final window remains open until March. It is important to note that the People’s Choice voting occurs significantly later in the year.
Key Dates:
| Competition Opens | Open Now |
| Early Bird Deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | March 1, 2026 |
| People’s Choice Voting Opens | July 1, 2026 |
Entry Costs:
- $25 for up to 10 single image submissions in any category.
- $15 for each Photo Story submission: 1 video with up to 5 supporting images.
Entrants who submit before January 15 can save 15% on their submission fees by using the code BPEARLY15.
How to Enter:
Participants must register and submit their work through the official online portal. Images should be high-resolution JPEGs. For the new “Photo Story” video category, entrants will need to upload their short-form video file according to the specific codec and length requirements listed on the submission platform. Ensure all metadata is intact, as the judges often verify the technical details of nature shots to ensure ethical standards are met.
About the Jury
The judging panel is chaired by the award-winning wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas. She leads a distinguished group of industry experts who evaluate the entries based on artistic merit, technical excellence, and conservation impact. The 2026 panel includes:
- Sebastian Kennerknecht: Conservation photographer.
- Thomas Nicolon: Wildlife photographer and correspondent.
- Sophie Stafford: Editor and conservation communicator.
- Georgina Steytler: Nature photographer.
- Michelle Valberg: Nikon Ambassador and wildlife photographer.
- Anand Varma: Science photographer.
The “Photo Story” category will be evaluated separately by Jean-Gael Collomb, CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Network, in conjunction with the BigPicture team.
Why Enter Big Picture 2026?
This event is widely regarded as one of the best photography contests for nature photographers because of its prestigious affiliation with the California Academy of Sciences. Winning here does not just mean a cash reward, it means having your work validated by top scientists and conservationists. The exhibition at the Academy puts your images in front of a massive, engaged audience, elevating your profile in the world of conservation.
Moreover, the introduction of the video category allows for a deeper level of storytelling, catering to the growing trend of multimedia in journalism. Whether you are capturing the macro details of an insect or the sweeping grandeur of a landscape, this competition offers a platform where your art can truly make a difference.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Big Picture 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Copyright and Usage:
Photographers retain full copyright ownership of their images. By entering, you grant the BigPicture competition and the California Academy of Sciences a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the submitted images for the purpose of promoting the competition and its objectives. This includes usage in the exhibition, on the website, and in press materials. The organizers are known for respecting photographers’ rights and crediting the artists in all displays.
Ethics:
The competition upholds strict ethical standards. Images that involve the harassment of wildlife or damage to the environment are disqualified. Baiting, the use of live bait, and images of captive animals (except in the Human/Nature category with specific context) are generally not permitted.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
