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The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025 is the UK’s premier animal photography competition for under-18s, now open since May 6, 2025 and closing on August 13, 2025. It offers participants across the nation an opportunity to showcase their talent, with prizes ranging from £200 to £675 and exclusive photoshoots at RSPCA animal centres.
As one of the best photography competitions to enter for young artists, the awards invite entrants to submit up to five JPEG images per category—covering age brackets, themed challenges like Pet Portraits and Small World, and a Portfolio category. All images must be at least 600×600 px, under 10 MB, and comply with judging guidelines.
Entries are judged anonymously by a panel of RSPCA experts and award-winning photographers, with finalists notified on Friday, 17 October 2025 and the People’s Choice public vote opening in March 2026. This edition offers valuable feedback and national exposure, rewarding creativity and technical skill without bias.
The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025 Prizes
Here’s what you could win:
- Overall Winner: A UK weekend photography break with Natures Images worth £675 and an RSPCA trophy.
- Under 12 Winner: £200 voucher, exclusive RSPCA photoshoot, trophy, Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor and camera cable.
- 12–15 Winner: £350 voucher, photoshoot, trophy, sensor and cable.
- 16–18 Winner: £500 voucher, photoshoot, trophy, sensor and cable.
- Portfolio Winner: £500 voucher and trophy.
- Small World, Pet Personalities, Pet Portraits, A Better World for Animals, Urban Animals Winners: £300 voucher each and trophy.
- Documenting Animals Winner: £400 voucher and trophy.
- People’s Choice Award: £100 voucher and trophy, voted by the public in March 2026.
- Runners-up receive RSPCA shop vouchers; commended entrants receive certificates.
Other Free Contests
The Categories of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025
Entrants can submit up to five photographs in each of these eight categories:
- Under 12: Ages 11 and under (camera only).
- 12–15: Ages 12–15 (camera only).
- 16–18: Ages 16–18 (camera only).
- Portfolio: Three portfolios of five images each (camera only).
- Pet Portraits: Still portraits of pets.
- Pet Personalities: Pets in action or at rest.
- Small World: Close-up wildlife around you.
- Mobile Phone & Devices: Images shot on phones or tablets.
Looking for more free photo contests? Explore our directory for additional opportunities.
RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025 Dates and Entry Fees
Key dates:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition Opens | Tuesday, 6 May 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | Wednesday, 13 August 2025 at 11:59 pm |
| Finalists Notified | Friday, 17 October 2025 |
| People’s Choice Voting Opens | March 2026 |
This competition is one of the free to enter photo competitions featured on Deartline.
How to Enter:
- Select up to five JPEG images (max 10 MB; min 600×600 px).
- Register or log in, complete your profile and add titles/descriptions.
- Upload your entries before the deadline.
- Review and agree to the rules of entry.
About the Jury
The panel includes RSPCA staff and award-winning photographers: Andrew Forsyth, Catriona Parfitt, Ellie Rothnie, Emma Jacobs and Fabian Rivers, all bringing deep expertise in wildlife and conservation photography.
Why Enter the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025?
Entry delivers professional critique, national exposure on RSPCA channels and a chance to win substantive prizes. With themes from Pet Portraits to Small World, participants can hone skills across diverse styles. Discover other popular photo challenges online to keep your creative momentum.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025 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
Entries must be original JPEGs (max 10 MB; min 600×600 px) with minor edits only. Under-15s require parental consent. Images cannot be altered post-upload or entered in multiple categories. Photos showing animals in distress, disfigured or exotic animals are disallowed.
Copyright and Image Usage
Entrants retain copyright but grant RSPCA and RSPCA Trading Ltd a perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide royalty-free licence to use, reproduce and exhibit submitted photos for promotional purposes, with credit where possible. Photos remain on the RSPCA site for five years before removal.
For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.
