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What if your photo could help protect one of the most vital bird migration routes on Earth? The EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025 invites young photographers from around the world to do just that—using the power of photography to spotlight the wonders of migratory bird life across East Asia and Australasia. With submissions open until June 30, 2025, this international competition offers not only meaningful recognition but also a chance to be exhibited at a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Open to youth aged 7 to 17, the contest offers a Grand Prize of $1000 and the distinguished title of “2025 EAAF International Youth Photographer of the Year”. Five additional photographers will receive Excellence Awards of $300 each. Participants may submit up to three individual photos or one photo series, focusing on birds and habitats within the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF). Entries must include essential metadata, such as species, location, date, and a short story behind the image.
This initiative is more than just a photography contest—it’s a creative call to action rooted in conservation. It’s a valuable opportunity for young people to gain visibility and inspire awareness, with selected works going on display at the Chongming Dongtan Nature Reserve in China. The contest is completely free to enter, making it one of the free photo contests for beginners that also connects to real-world impact. This event is now listed alongside the best online photography challenges featured on Deartline.
The EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025 Prizes
The EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025 celebrates emerging talent with cash prizes and prestigious titles:
- Grand Prize: $1000 and the title “2025 EAAF International Youth Photographer of the Year”.
- Five Excellence Awards: $300 awarded to each winner for outstanding entries.
Winning images will also be showcased in a physical exhibition at Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve.
Other Free Contests
The Categories of the EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025
This contest centers on a single powerful theme: migratory birds and their habitats along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. Entries should document the relationship between birds and the ecosystems they depend on—capturing the ecological essence of the flyway.
EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
The contest runs on a clearly defined timeline:
| Phase | Dates |
|---|---|
| Submission Period | May 1 – June 30, 2025 |
| Judging Period | July 1 – July 31, 2025 |
| Winners Announced | 1st Week of August 2025 |
| Photo Exhibition | 2nd Week of August 2025 |
Entry Fee: Participation is completely free of charge, classifying it among the top free photography competitions for youth globally.
How to Enter:
To participate, submit up to three single images or one photo series (4–10 photos) via email. Each entry must include:
- Species name, location, and date
- A short story (up to 200 words)
- Images in JPG format, max size 10MB each
- Subject line: “EAAF photo contest submission”
- File naming: “Photographer Name + Country + Image Title”
Submit your entry by email.
About the Jury
Submissions will be evaluated by a diverse panel of professional ornithologists, photographers, and environmental experts. The 2025 jury includes:
- Marissa Roth, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist and Fellow of both the Royal Photographic Society and Royal Geographical Society
- Prof. Zhijun Ma, Avian Ecology Professor at Fudan University
- Dr. Wenwei Ren, Professor at Tongji University and Director of WWF Shanghai
- Baihui Cui, Deputy Director of Communications, Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve
- Evan Chen, Senior Director, Canon (China)
Why Enter EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025?
This is not just another youth photo contest—it’s a platform to connect creativity with environmental advocacy. Participants gain global recognition, with winning photos exhibited at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The contest also nurtures educational and scientific perspectives by merging art with ecology. Given its expert jury and its focus on conservation, the contest holds unique appeal among wildlife photography awards and recognition opportunities for young artists. For those tracking photography challenge submission deadlines, this contest stands out as a timely and impactful opportunity listed on this site.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the EAAF Youth Photo Contest 2025 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.
Rules
- Open to all youths aged 7–17 globally.
- Each participant can submit up to 3 single images or one photo series (4–10 images).
- Photos must depict birds in the EAAF and be original works.
- Entries must include image details and a short narrative (max 200 words).
- Images should be JPG, max 10MB each.
Copyright and Image Usage
- Participants retain full copyright of their images.
- Entries must not violate third-party rights (e.g., copyright, portrait, or privacy rights).
- Selected participants must submit original image files upon request.
- Any ethical violations, such as fraud or misleading content, will lead to disqualification.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
