Are you ready to showcase your skills and make a difference in the world of photography? The Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 (NPOTY 2025) invites talented photographers from around the globe to participate in its tenth annual competition. Organized by Nature Talks, this prestigious event celebrates the artistry of nature photography while raising awareness about conservation.
The competition spans 13 categories, including Birds, Mammals, Landscapes, and even Humans and Nature, highlighting the diverse connections between humanity and the environment. A special Youth Category is free for participants aged 10–17, fostering the next generation of nature photographers. Additionally, the prestigious Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award recognizes a coherent collection of six to ten photographs, emphasizing consistency and artistic vision.
With a €25,000 prize pool, Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 offers significant rewards. The overall winner will receive a €3,000 cash prize, while category winners will earn €500 each (except for special youth and regional categories). The Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award winner will take home €1,000, and runner-ups in several categories can look forward to prizes worth €250 in products. Winning images will also be featured in an international traveling exhibition across the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, providing global recognition for participants.
NPOTY 2025 is open for submissions until May 18, 2025, at 23:59 CET. Early bird registration offers discounted fees, starting at €31 for standard categories and €17.50 for portfolios. Entries are judged anonymously, ensuring fairness and integrity.
The Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 prizes
The prizes offered by NPOTY 2025 reflect its commitment to celebrating talent and rewarding excellence:
- Grand Prize: €3,000 cash for the overall winner.
- Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award: €1,000 for the best portfolio of six to ten images.
- Category Winners (C1–C11): €500 cash each.
- Youth Category (C12): €250 in products for the winner and €125 for the runner-up.
- Runner-Ups (C1–C11): €250 in products.
Winning images will feature in the traveling exhibition and receive global recognition through media coverage, ensuring unparalleled exposure for participants.
Themes and Categories of the NPOTY 2025
Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 offers 13 diverse categories that cater to a wide range of photographic styles and themes:
- Birds: Captivating avian subjects in their natural habitat.
- Mammals: Majestic creatures captured in the wild.
- Other Animals: From amphibians to insects, a celebration of biodiversity.
- Plants and Fungi: Showcasing the beauty of flora and fungi.
- Landscapes: Awe-inspiring natural vistas.
- Underwater: Marine and freshwater wonders.
- Natural Art: Abstract interpretations of patterns, textures, and colors in nature.
- Humans and Nature: Positive or negative interactions between humanity and the environment.
- Black & White: Striking monochrome images.
- Animal Portraits: Intimate and powerful wildlife close-ups.
- Nature of de Lage Landen: Focusing on the landscapes of the Netherlands and Belgium.
- Youth Category: A free platform for photographers aged 10–17.
- Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award: Coherent collections showcasing artistic consistency.
With such variety, NPOTY 2025 encourages photographers to explore new perspectives and express their creative vision.
Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 dates and entry fees
Important Dates:
- Deadline: Submit entries by May 18, 2025, 23:59 CET.
- Winners Announcement: Winners will be revealed on December 14, 2025, during the Nature Talks Photo Festival in the Netherlands.
Registration Fees:
- Standard Categories: €34 (€31 early bird).
- Portfolio: €17.50 (€16 early bird).
- Standard + Portfolio: €49.50 (€44 early bird).
- Youth Category: Free of charge.
Each participant can submit up to 20 images in the standard categories and 10 images in the portfolio category.
About the Jury
Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 features a panel of distinguished photographers and conservationists, including:
- Tin Man Lee: Renowned wildlife photographer and grand prize winner of Nature’s Best Photography.
- Kevin Morgans: Award-winning author and wildlife photographer.
- Joan de la Malla: Conservation-focused photographer collaborating with UNESCO.
- Barbara Dall’Angelo: Acclaimed National Geographic Italia contributor.
- Marco Gaiotti: Arctic explorer and multi-award-winning photographer.
This experienced jury ensures that all entries are evaluated with fairness and expertise.
Why Enter NPOTY 2025?
Participating in NPOTY 2025 offers more than just the chance to win prizes—it’s an opportunity to support conservation, gain global recognition, and join a prestigious list of talented photographers. With a €25,000 prize pool and categories for all levels, this competition stands out among the best nature photo contests with cash prizes, making it a must-enter for nature photography enthusiasts. For more contests like this, explore our list of photography competitions.
If you want to add a little extra interest to this contest, or are looking for more inspiration, here you can find some of the amazing photography that stood out among the NPOTY 2024 winners.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
