The MontPhoto 2025 International Nature Photography Contest, hosted by Spain’s MontPhoto Association, invites photographers worldwide to showcase the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the natural world. Now in its 29th edition, this prestigious contest emphasizes ethical practices, requiring submissions to reflect authentic, undisturbed natural scenes. With categories spanning wildlife, landscapes, underwater photography, and environmental reporting, the competition awards over €13,700 in cash prizes, including a top honor of €2,000. Submissions close on May 1, 2025, and winners are announced at an October ceremony in Lloret de Mar, Spain.
The contest’s 13 categories—including Mountain Activity, Underwater World, and Art in Nature—encourage creativity while prioritizing conservation messaging. Special awards highlight regional photography (e.g., Nature in Catalunya) and youth talent. A unique feature is the free entry for MontPhoto Community members and participants under 18, making it accessible to emerging photographers. While the prize pool is robust, the contest’s stringent ethical guidelines may challenge some entrants.
Key dates include the submission deadline (May 1, 2025), RAW file requests for finalists (June 11–18, 2025), and the awards gala (October 3, 2025). For photographers seeking recognition among the list of photography awards, MontPhoto 2025 offers credibility, exposure through exhibitions, and alignment with global conservation efforts.
The MontPhoto 2025 Nature Photography Contest Prizes
MontPhoto rewards both technical excellence and storytelling through its tiered prize structure:
- MontPhoto Award of Honor: €2,000 + diploma (highest overall score).
- Category Prizes: €500 (1st place), €300 (2nd place), and 5 honorary mentions per category.
- Special Awards: €300 each for regional themes (Catalunya, Lloret de Mar) and community members.
- Youth Awards: Product bundles for winners under 18.
- Portfolio/Storytelling Awards: €1,000 each for cohesive collections or narratives.
Winners also receive a copy of the Inspired by Nature book, exhibition opportunities, and promotion across MontPhoto’s platforms. While rewards are notable among nature photo contests with cash prizes, the emphasis on ethical practices and non-monetary rewards (e.g., diplomas, publications) underscores the contest’s conservation-driven mission.
Categories of MontPhoto 2025
The contest’s 13 categories cater to diverse photographic styles:
Mountain Activity:
• Mountain Activity: Photographs capturing sporting adventures in natural, mountainous settings.
Nature:
Images of fauna subdivided into:
• Mammals: Depicting mammals at any life stage.
• Birds: Showcasing birds in their natural behavior.
• Other Animals: Including amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, etc.
• Plant Life: Flora (and fungi) in their original habitat.
• Landscape: Pristine sceneries with minimal human intervention.
• Underwater World: Immersive shots taken with underwater techniques (fresh or salt water), highlighting marine and aquatic ecosystems.
Report:
• Ecological Report: Visual narratives exposing human impacts on nature. Images must clearly feature the reported activity—emphasizing originality and a compelling message—backed by descriptive data to alert and inspire environmental action.
Art:
• Art in Nature: Creative compositions and abstract interpretations inspired by the natural environment.
Collections: Collections that combine individual excellence with a coherent narrative:
• Portfolio: A personal, creative series of 10 to 15 photographs that together form a consistent and harmonious project.
• Storytelling (Agustí Maria Vilà i Galí Awards): A visual reportage on conservation, biodiversity, or the human–nature relationship, crafted to inspire and provoke environmental awareness.
Submissions must adhere to strict ethical guidelines, prohibiting staged scenes, excessive editing, or images of captive animals (except in ecological reporting).
MontPhoto 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
- Submission Deadline: May 1, 2025 (23:59 CET).
- Entry Fees:
- General: €25 (until March 31) / €30 (April 1–30).
- Free: MontPhoto Community members, youth (<18), Changing Planet category.
- Exhibition & Awards: October 4–31, 2025 (Lloret de Mar).
Participants may submit up to 25 images across categories, plus one portfolio (10–15 images). High-resolution JPEGs (1,920px longest side) are required, with RAW files requested for finalists.
About the Jury
A panel of five experts in nature photography, conservation, and visual storytelling will judge entries. Their criteria prioritize technical skill, originality, and alignment with MontPhoto’s ethical standards. The jury reserves the right to reclassify entries into more appropriate categories.
Why Enter MontPhoto 2025?
MontPhoto 2025 International Nature Photography Contest is the perfect contest for photographers dedicated to conservation and seeking global recognition. It offers competitive cash prizes in a respected nature photo contest, while providing international exposure as winning works tour worldwide and are featured in the Inspired by Nature catalog. Endorsements from AEFONA and SCFN add ethical credibility to the contest, reinforcing the professional integrity of its participants. Additionally, members enjoy free entry, opportunities to network at the awards gala, and access to valuable educational resources. For photographers who value both artistry and environmental advocacy, MontPhoto 2025 truly stands out.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
