Are you ready to showcase your skills and make a difference in the world of photography? The Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 (NPOTY 2026) invites talented photographers from around the globe to participate in its 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 2026 offers significant rewards. The overall winner will receive a €3,000 cash prize, while category winners will earn €500 each. 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 exhibition that will travel through the Netherlands and Belgium, providing international recognition for participants.
NPOTY 2026 is open for submissions from April 7 to June 2, 2026. Early bird registration offers discounted fees, starting at €32 for standard categories and €16 for portfolios. Entries are judged anonymously, ensuring fairness and integrity.
The Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 prizes
The prizes offered by NPOTY 2026 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 exhibition and receive global recognition through media coverage, ensuring unparalleled exposure for participants.
Themes and Categories of the NPOTY 2026
Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 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 nature in 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 2026 encourages photographers to explore new perspectives and express their creative vision.
Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 dates and entry fees
Important Dates:
- Contest Dates: April 7, 2026 – June 2, 2026.
- Early Bird Deadline: April 27, 2026.
- Deadline: Submit entries by June 2, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.
- Award Ceremony: Finalists, winners, and the overall winner will be showcased on November 14, 2026.
Registration Fees:
- Standard Categories: €35 (€32 early bird).
- Portfolio: €17.50 (€16 early bird).
- Youth Category: Free of charge.
Each participant can submit up to 20 images in the standard categories, up to 5 images in the youth category, and 6 to 10 images in the portfolio category.
How to Enter
To participate in Nature Photographer of the Year 2026, photographers must choose one of the following entry types: Standard, Portfolio, Standard + Portfolio, or Youth. After completing registration and paying the entry fee (if applicable), participants can upload their images via their personal dashboard on the official website.
About the Jury
The “Nature Photographer of the Year 2026” competition will feature a distinguished panel of judges, to be announced shortly. Entries are judged anonymously, ensuring fairness and integrity. The organization also notes that former jury members and other experts assist in assessing the feasibility of certain images and identifying instances of animal harassment.
Why Enter NPOTY 2026?
Participating in NPOTY 2026 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.
Rules and Copyright
Participants retain copyright of their images. By entering the competition, photographers confirm that the work is original and that they are the sole copyright holders. The organization may use submitted images for marketing, exhibitions, websites, and social media related to the Nature Photographer of the Year Contest and the Nature Talks Photo Festival, always crediting the photographer. By entering, participants also agree to the possible inclusion of their work in a digital show during the Nature Talks Photo Festival 2026, although photographers may decline this by contacting the organization. AI-generated or computer-rendered photos are not allowed, and excessive manipulation or adding/removing elements is prohibited.
For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
