The British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 (BWPA 2026) is now officially open for entries, offering photographers from around the globe the chance to showcase their best images of UK wildlife. Organised annually, this contest is one of the most prominent celebrations of the natural world in Britain, welcoming both amateur and professional photographers who have captured scenes of British wildlife across land, sea, and sky. With a total prize fund of nearly £10,000, the competition not only provides recognition to talented photographers but also contributes to public awareness of Britain’s diverse natural heritage.
This year’s competition includes a wide range of categories, each celebrating a unique aspect of British wildlife. From animal behaviour and botanical subjects to urban wildlife and dramatic seasonal landscapes, BWPA 2026 offers a platform for storytelling, creativity, and technical excellence. Notably, there is a dedicated youth competition with its own set of categories, encouraging young photographers under 18 to participate and offering free entry for up to 10 images.
The awards recognise excellence across individual categories, culminating in the prestigious British Wildlife Photographer of the Year title, which comes with a cash prize of £3,500. Each adult category winner receives £500, while young category winners are awarded vouchers worth up to £100, with the overall young winner receiving a £250 voucher. The recognition, nationwide exhibition, and inclusion in the official BWPA book make the contest a valuable opportunity for exposure and credibility in the field of nature and wildlife photography.
Entries for British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 will remain open until June 8, 2025 (new deadline: June 15, 2025). Following the submission deadline, finalists will be asked to provide high-resolution files in July. The final announcement of winners is scheduled for March 2026, during a public awards ceremony. The winning and commended photographs will be featured in Collection 13, the official competition book, and will tour the UK as part of a dedicated exhibition.
Photographers must register on the competition website to submit their entries. For adults, entry credits start at £15 for a single photo, with tiered pricing for multiple entries. Young photographers can enter for free. There are no restrictions on the number of entries in the adult competition, and photographers may submit the same image to multiple categories.
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 stands out as a strong, well-organised competition with clear ethical guidelines, a thorough judging process, and meaningful outcomes for participants. The BWPA’s emphasis on British nature, thoughtful category structure, and visibility through its touring exhibition and published book make it a contest worth considering—especially for those focused on wildlife photography in the UK.
The British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) 2026 Prizes
Prizes in the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 are designed to reward excellence while supporting the visibility and recognition of photographers committed to capturing UK nature. The awards are not just about cash—they’re also a gateway to long-term exposure through exhibitions and publications.
Overall Winner – British Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The most prestigious title of the contest, awarded to the best single image across all adult categories.
Prize: £3,500 cash (including category prize)
Adult Category Winners
Each category winner is awarded a cash prize, and from these winners, the overall champion is selected.
Prize: £500 cash per category winner
Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year – Overall Winner
Chosen from the winners of the three youth age brackets.
Prize: £250 voucher (including category prize)
Young Category Winners
Separate winners for the following age groups: 11 and under, 12–14, and 15–17 years.
Prize: £100 voucher per category winner
The Categories of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026
The BWPA 2026 offers a diverse set of categories that reflect the richness of Britain’s natural environments. Each category is judged individually, with a winner selected from each group.
Animal Behaviour
Focuses on remarkable wildlife behaviour—unusual, humorous, or simply unique moments in the natural world.
Animal Portraits
Celebrates expressive, character-driven portraits that reveal the personality of the subject.
Botanical Britain
Dedicated to plants, flowers, fungi, and other botanical subjects. Entries can be detailed macros or wider habitat shots.
Black & White
Open to all subjects, this category emphasises creativity and originality in monochrome photography.
British Seasons
Photographers submit a portfolio of four images showing the essence of Britain’s seasons. Can cover all four or focus on just one.
Coast & Marine
Highlights the wildlife and habitats along Britain’s extensive coastlines, including islands and marine life.
Habitat
Illustrates the relationship between wildlife and its environment, capturing the broader ecological context.
Hidden Britain
Focused on invertebrates and other small-scale wildlife often overlooked by the general public.
Urban Wildlife
Explores interactions between nature and the built environment—wildlife in cities, gardens, and human-modified landscapes.
Wild Woods
Features photographs of British woodlands and their inhabitants, with an emphasis on the spirit and beauty of forest life.
Documentary Series
A sequence of up to six images that tell a story about wildlife, conservation, or the environment in Britain.
Wildlife in HD Video
Short films (up to 3 minutes) documenting wildlife stories, behaviours, or conservation themes with cinematic quality.
Young BWPA Categories
Divided into three age brackets: 11 and under, 12–14, and 15–17. Young photographers can submit up to 10 images for free.
British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Important Dates
Opening Date: March 19, 2025
Submission Deadline: June 8, 2025
- Extended Deadline: June 15, 2025
High-Res File Requests: July 2025
Winners Announced: March 2026
Entry Fees
Adult entries require the purchase of credits:
£15 for 1 image
£20 for 5 images
£30 for 10 images
£40 for 20 images
£50 for 30 images
£60 for 50 images
Youth entries (aged 17 and under) are free and limited to 10 images.
About the Jury
The British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 judging process is conducted in multiple rounds and is strictly anonymous. Judges never see the names of entrants, ensuring unbiased assessment at every stage. Images are evaluated for authenticity, technical merit, and creative impact. The process involves an initial review, a high-resolution request round, and a final round to select winners. Only images fully compliant with the competition’s ethical standards are eligible for prizes.
Why Enter the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026?
Entering British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 offers more than the potential for a cash prize. It’s a chance to gain real visibility in the wildlife photography community, especially for those focused on British natural history. The competition culminates in a nationwide exhibition and publication in the BWPA Collection book, helping photographers reach wider audiences. With carefully curated categories, a transparent judging process, and a dedicated youth section, BWPA is also a great stepping stone for emerging talents. Those looking for animal photography awards or other reputable photography contests and competitions will find BWPA 2026 a strong addition to their portfolio strategy.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the British Wildlife 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.
Rules Summary
Open to anyone worldwide, but images must be taken in the UK, Isle of Man, or Channel Islands.
Adult participants must be 18+ by the closing date; youth entrants must be 17 or younger.
No limit on the number of adult entries (with sufficient entry credits).
Youth entries are capped at 10 images per person.
Each entry must comply with strict ethical standards: no captive animals (unless clearly justified in specific categories), no baiting, and no digitally manipulated composites (exceptions apply for HDR, stacking, panoramas).
Judges may move images to different categories if appropriate.
The use of AI is strictly limited to noise reduction and sharpening (Topaz Labs only).
Copyright Summary
Photographers retain full copyright of their images.
By entering, participants grant BWPA a non-exclusive license to use submitted images for publicity, exhibition, and promotion related to the competition.
All uses of images will credit the photographer.
BWPA may sublicense images to trusted third parties for promotional purposes tied to the competition.
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
