Nature and Humans 2025

Nature and Humans 2026 is now open for entries, inviting photographers worldwide to explore the evolving bond between people and the natural environment. Organized by the DESEA Foundation, this annual international photography contest seeks compelling images that highlight sustainability, conservation, and human interaction with nature. Submissions are accepted from 31 May to 28 September 2026. With a total prize pool of more than €17,000—including €10,000 in cash—participants compete for cash awards, photography gear and travel vouchers from leading brands and partners like Sony, OM SYSTEM, Wildwatching Spain, Fotografiarte, Pangea and FONAMAD, as well as curated book sets that celebrate environmental storytelling.

Entrants may submit up to 30 high-resolution JPEG images through the secure online portal, each accompanied by a brief caption explaining its ecological relevance. Entry is priced at €25 per photographer, reduced to €15 for FONAMAD members and free for participants under 18 with parental consent. Among its thematic sections—ranging from conservation photography competitions to underwater scenes and people-environment portraits—Nature and Humans 2026 joins the ranks of best online photography contests worldwide.

Selected winners will be featured in an online gallery, included in a high-quality printed catalogue, and promoted across sponsor channels like Sony and Wildwatching Spain. Awards span from €1,500 for top entries in special conservation categories to additional overall winner cash prizes, equipment valued up to more than €1,700 and book sets celebrating environmental narratives. The People’s Choice Award further elevates audience-favorite images. This combination of financial incentives, professional exposure, and community engagement makes Nature and Humans 2026 a valuable opportunity for photographers seeking to amplify their voice on sustainability and conservation topics.

The Nature and Humans 2026 Prizes

The contest offers more than €17,000 in total prizes, with €10,000 in cash and additional awards in equipment and travel vouchers:

• Conservation Photography – Thematic Series: Winner €1,500; Runner-up €500
• Conservation Photography – Single Image: Winner €1,500; Runner-up €500
• Conservation Photography – Spain: Winner €1,500; Runner-up €500
• Conservation, Told by Women: Winner €1,500; Runner-up €500
• The Beauty of the Planet: €1,000 travel voucher (no expiry; Wildwatching Spain)
• The Beauty of Spain: €500 voucher for Wildwatching Spain hides (no expiry)
• Mammals: Sony equipment (RRP > €1,700)
• Birds: €500 Fotografiarte voucher
• Oceans: Compact waterproof camera (submersible to 15 m; RRP €479; OM SYSTEM) + up to €100 shipping cash
• Other Animals: €400 cash
• Landscape: OM-5 Mark II + 12-45 mm lens (RRP €1,549; OM SYSTEM) + up to €100 shipping cash
• Creative: €300 FotoRuano voucher + €200 cash
• Youth Award: Photography book set (€300) + up to €100 shipping cash
• Children Award: Photography book set (€300) + up to €100 shipping cash
• People’s Choice: €300 Pangea gift card + up to €100 shipping cash
• Overall Conservation Winner: Additional €500 cash prize, added to the winning category prize
• Overall Winner of Thematic Categories: Additional €500 cash prize, added to the winning category prize

The Categories of the Nature and Humans 2026

Nature and Humans 2026 organizes fifteen distinct sections to explore the human–nature relationship.

Special Categories:

• Conservation Photography – Thematic Series
• Conservation Photography – Single Image
• Conservation Photography – Spain
• Conservation, Told by Women
• The Beauty of the Planet
• The Beauty of Spain

Thematic Categories:

• Mammals
• Birds
• Oceans
• Other Animals
• Landscape
• Creative

Special Awards:

• Youth
• Children
• People’s Choice

Nature and Humans 2026 Dates and Entry Fees

• Submission Period: 31 May 2026 – 28 September 2026

Entry Fee:

• €25 per participant
• Reduced to €15 for FONAMAD members
• Minors under 18 enter free with consent

How to Enter:

All entries must be submitted digitally through the official website. Photographs should be in JPG format (minimum 3000 px longest side, 300 dpi, max 100 MB), include metadata, and a brief description explaining conservation relevance. Each entrant may submit up to 30 images and pay the entry fee by credit card or PayPal. Participants under the age of 18 can enter free of charge by contacting the contest management in advance at natureandhumans@fundaciondesea.es.

About the Jury

The Nature and Humans 2026 jury brings together international experts in conservation, nature, travel and environmental photography, each with a distinguished record in storytelling and advocacy:

• Javier Herranz: Nature and travel photographer who has explored remote natural landscapes and ethnic groups, winning major awards in nature and travel photography across Europe and America.
• Tito García: OM SYSTEM specialist with almost four decades in the imaging industry, focused on training, support, event coordination and nature photography.
• Aaron Gekoski: Photojournalist and filmmaker focused on conservation; named Environmental Photographer of the Year 2024 and co-founder of Four Corners.
• Ashane Marasinghe: Award-winning wildlife photographer from Sri Lanka based in Finland, published in National Geographic Italia, GEO, VIEW Magazine and Sanctuary Asia.
• Hanneke Van Camp: Belgian nature photographer based in Arctic Europe, merging a background in biology with a passion for immersive environmental imagery.
• Alfonso Lario: Spanish naturalist photographer and ornithologist with over 40 years’ field experience in biodiversity monitoring and environmental education.
• Luis Robles: Co-founder of WildWatching Spain and biologist specializing in Cantabrian wildlife research and conservation photography.
• Adriana Claudia Sanz: Argentine photographer and environmental educator from Patagonia, speaker and juror at international competitions.
• Marco Gratani: Italian photographer and co-founder of the Appennino Photo Festival, known for evocative work inspired by the Sibillini Mountains’ landscapes.
• Arturo de Frías: Specialist in polar and underwater photography, published in National Geographic, and founder and chairman of the ADF Foundation for Sustainable Development.
• Serena Ho: Australian image artist based in Reykjavík, celebrated for surreal explorations of human–nature interfaces and veteran judge of major wildlife photography awards.
• Tino Soriano: Barcelona-based photographer and writer published in National Geographic Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine and The New York Times, with numerous national and international awards.

All entries are judged anonymously, and jury decisions are final.

Why Enter Nature and Humans 2026?

As one of the most dynamic environmental photography contests, Nature and Humans 2026 offers more than its €17,000+ prize pool—it delivers professional-grade visibility. Winners see their work featured in a dedicated online gallery attracting thousands of monthly visitors, and in a high-quality printed catalogue distributed at major conservation events. Top entries also receive valuable equipment and travel vouchers from partners like Sony, OM SYSTEM and Wildwatching Spain, as well as book sets. The People’s Choice Award engages the global community through public voting, amplifying your work’s reach and boosting your social media presence.

Beyond awards, Nature and Humans 2026 provides lasting professional benefits. Awardees earn a free year of FONAMAD membership during 2026, or a gift of similar value if they are already members, opening doors to exclusive workshops, field trips, and a network of photographers and conservation experts. Anonymous judging by an international panel ensures impartial recognition, adding credibility to your portfolio. By participating, you join one of the most compelling photography challenges and rewards today, a platform designed to elevate your career and support powerful environmental narratives.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the Nature and Humans 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

• Original works only; JPEG format with embedded Exif metadata, no borders/signatures/watermarks.
• JPEG specs: min. 3000 px longest side; 300 dpi; max 100 MB. RAW optional at submission; required if shortlisted.
• Ethical Code: no animal disturbance or live bait; only moderate editing (cropping, brightness, contrast).
• Up to 30 images per entrant; one category per image. Participants must be 18+; minors enter free with consent.
• Except in the three Conservation Photography categories, only wild and free animal images are accepted; captive or deceased subjects allowed only in those three.
• Participants may modify or delete uploads until final submission or contest deadline.
• Youth Award is open to participants under 18 as of 1 June 2026; Children Award is open to participants under 15 as of 1 June 2026.

Copyright and Image Usage

• Participants retain full copyright and liability for third-party rights.
• By entering, you grant DESEA Foundation and sponsors non-exclusive rights for exhibitions, publications and promotions, with mandatory photographer credit.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.