The Audubon Photography Awards 2026 is now open, inviting photographers across the United States and Canada to document the beauty and fragility of avian life. This is not merely an online photo contest; it is a prestigious platform where ethical wildlife photography meets high-stakes rewards, including a life-changing expedition to Antarctica.
Organized by the National Audubon Society, this competition sets the industry standard for ethical bird photography. It challenges participants to go beyond simple portraits and explore the complex relationships between birds, their migrations, and their habitats. Whether you are a professional tracking migratory paths or a youth photographer observing local species, your work can contribute to a vital visual legacy of conservation.
The submission window is currently active and closes strictly on March 4, 2026. With a Grand Prize package valued at over $50,000 and specific categories highlighting female birds and native plants, this is the definitive event for nature photographers in North America.
Contents
Prizes
The Audubon Photography Awards 2026 edition features an exceptional prize pool that combines significant financial rewards with a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. The prizes are designed to honor excellence across specific themes and demographics.
- Grand Prize:
The overall winner will receive $5,000. The Grand Prize winner also receives a Voyage for two aboard a Highlights of Antarctica Expedition Cruise by HX Expeditions (valued up to ~$51,800). This includes an all-inclusive cruise package combining birding and exploration. - Category Prizes:
Winners in the following specific categories will each receive $1,500:- Birds Without Borders Prize: For images depicting migratory birds.
- Birds in Landscapes Prize: For images showcasing birds in their broader environment.
- Conservation Prize: For images illustrating the challenges birds face or conservation solutions.
- Female Bird Prize: Dedicated to highlighting female birds, often overlooked in favor of colorful males.
- Plants for Birds Prize: For images depicting birds interacting with identified native plants.
- Video Prize:
The winner of the best video entry will receive $2,500. - Youth Prize:
The top photographer aged 13–17 will win a six-day trip to the Hog Island Audubon Camp for Teens in Maine for the 2027 season (including travel and accommodations).
Related Photo Contests
Categories or Themes
The Audubon Photography Awards 2026 is divided into two age-based divisions: Adult (18+) and Youth (13–17). Within these divisions, entries can be submitted to specific thematic categories to compete for the prizes listed above.
Thematic Categories:
- Birds Without Borders: Focuses on species with substantial migration paths across the Western Hemisphere.
- Birds in Landscapes: Landscape photos where the bird is a key element but the setting (wild, urban, or rural) is equally prominent.
- Conservation: Images that tell a story about climate change, habitat loss, or successful conservation efforts.
- Female Birds: celebrating the subtle beauty and behavioral complexity of female species.
- Plants for Birds: Must feature a bird interacting with native plants (identification required).
- Video: Digital video files (3 to 30 seconds) displaying interesting bird behavior.
Dates and Entry Fees
The Audubon Photography Awards competition follows a strict schedule. Entrants must ensure their submissions are finalized before the deadline, as no extensions are typically granted.
Submission Deadline: March 4, 2026 (12:00 p.m. Noon Eastern Time).
Entry Fees:
- $15 per image or video for Adult entrants.
- Free for the Youth division (ages 13–17).
There is no limit to the number of images you can submit.
How to Enter
Entries are accepted via the official online portal. You must create an account and upload your files (JPG for images, MP4/MOV for video).
Crucial Requirement: You must provide detailed caption information for each entry, including the species name, the specific location, and a description of the scene. For the “Plants for Birds” category, you must also identify the plant species using the Audubon Native Plants Database or similar resources.
About the Jury
The judging panel is composed of a diverse group of experts, including bird photographers, videographers, and ornithologists. They evaluate entries based on Technical Quality (33%), Originality (33%), and Artistic Merit (34%). The judges enforce strict ethical standards; they review raw files to ensure no manipulation has occurred and analyze images to ensure no birds were stressed or baited during the process.
Why Enter Audubon Photography Awards?
This is arguably one of the best online photography awards for North American photographers because of its integrity and the sheer scale of the Grand Prize. The inclusion of an Antarctic expedition elevates this contest from a standard competition to a life-changing opportunity.
Furthermore, the specific categories like “Conservation” and “Plants for Birds” allow your work to serve a higher purpose. Winning images are featured in Audubon magazine, reaching millions of readers and placing your work at the forefront of the environmental conversation.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the Audubon Photography Awards 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 Rights
You represent that you are the sole owner of the image. By entering, you grant the National Audubon Society a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the submitted images for purposes related to the contest and the Society’s mission. This includes publication in their magazines, websites, and social media, always with credit to the photographer.
General Rules
Eligibility: Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States (including D.C.) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 13 years of age or older.
Ethics: Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography is mandatory. No baiting (using food/decoys to attract raptors/owls etc.), no drones, and no playback of bird calls.
AI & Editing: AI-generated images are strictly prohibited. Standard post-processing (cropping, color correction) is allowed, but removing or adding elements (cloning) is not.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
