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The RMetS Weather Photographer of the Year 2026, formerly known as the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 2025, is now accepting submissions, continuing its mission to spotlight the powerful connection between photography and the natural world. Organized by the Royal Meteorological Society, this international climate photography competition invites photographers of all levels to capture striking images of weather, climate, and the environment. Participation is completely free, with a total of £2,500 in cash prizes awarded across three categories. Submissions close on 20 August 2026, and winners will be announced on 17 November, following a jury review and a public vote.
This year’s competition is divided into three well-defined categories: Main, Mobile, and the Climate Award. Each category addresses a different angle of weather photography. Entrants can submit up to five photographs per category, with images accepted from within the last five years from the competition closing date. The Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 encourages images that reflect weather’s beauty and impact, as well as its increasingly urgent link to climate change.
The most significant prize is the £1,500 awarded in the main Weather Photographer of the Year category, followed by £500 for the mobile category, and £500 for the Climate Award. The contest’s structure, free entry, and strong climate relevance make it one of the better free photo contests currently available.
The Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 Prizes
The Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 contest offers a focused prize pool that reflects its thematic strength. Organized by the Royal Meteorological Society, the competition rewards not only technical skill and composition but also storytelling and scientific context.
- Weather Photographer of the Year: £1,500 This is the top award given to the best overall image that exemplifies the power, drama, or beauty of weather.
- Mobile Weather Photographer of the Year: £500 Awarded to the best image captured on a mobile phone or tablet, this prize highlights how powerful and accessible mobile photography has become.
- Climate Award: £500 This category is focuses on images that directly address the causes or effects of climate change and aims to encourage climate-conscious visual narratives.
All winners will also benefit from public and media exposure through online exhibitions, press releases, and promotional campaigns coordinated by the organizers.
The Categories of the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026
The contest is structured around three main categories, allowing for diverse participation across mediums and thematic approaches:
- Weather Photographer of the Year This is the contest’s flagship category and is open to any image taken with any camera type. It seeks strong visual representations of weather or atmospheric conditions.
- Mobile Weather Photographer of the Year For this category, all images must be taken using a mobile phone or tablet. It’s designed to be inclusive and reflect the accessibility of modern photographic tools.
- Climate Award This special award is for images that focus on climate change—whether depicting its causes, effects, or human interactions. Judges will be looking for photos that carry a strong climate message.
Each category is judged independently, and participants may submit up to five images per category, depending on eligibility.
Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 Dates and Entry Fees
Entering the Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 is free and straightforward. Here are the key dates and entry details:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Submissions Open | 11 June 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 20 August 2026 |
| Judging Period | 21 August – 2 October 2026 |
| Public Voting | 22 October – 5 November 2026 |
| Winners Announced | 17 November 2026 |
Entry Fee: Free for all categories
How to Enter:
Participants must submit entries via the official contest platform hosted through the Royal Meteorological Society’s website. After creating an account, users can upload up to five photographs per category. Each image must include a caption explaining the context or story behind it, with special emphasis on how it relates to weather or climate. Images must have been taken within the last five years from the competition closing date.
About the Jury
The 2026 judging panel includes experts from a range of disciplines: meteorology, photography, environmental science, and journalism. The panel includes Professor Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, the ITV Weather team, meteorologist and photographer Dennis Oswald, and Tom Prater, Visuals Editor at Carbon Brief. More judges may be announced by the organizers.
In addition to expert judging, the public will have the opportunity to vote online for shortlisted entries during the voting period in October and November.
Why enter Weather Photographer of the Year 2026?
For photographers drawn to environmental themes and atmospheric storytelling, Weather Photographer of the Year 2026 provides a focused and meaningful outlet. Unlike broader contests, it encourages in-depth engagement with the natural world, weather systems, and climate-related challenges.
It’s free to enter, making it a low-risk opportunity with the potential for reward—both in cash prizes and in visibility. The dedicated climate category speaks to the contest’s evolution and its relevance to global conversations around sustainability.
Among current contests, it stands out as one of the few to offer some of the best photography challenge prizes specifically for weather, climate, and environmental themes. That focus, combined with a structured judging process and credible organizing partners, gives it solid value for both emerging and experienced photographers.
If you’re looking for other photo competitions that emphasize storytelling, nature, and weather, you’ll find more curated opportunities on Deartline.
Rules and Copyright
This section about the rules and image rights of the RMetS Weather Photographer of the Year 2026, formerly the Standard Chartered Weather Photographer of the Year 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
- Up to five entries per category per participant
- Images must have been taken within the last five years from the competition closing date
- All entries must be submitted digitally through the official platform
- Each image must include a descriptive caption in English
- The competition is open to photographers aged 16 years or over on 20 August 2026
- Only original work may be submitted
- AI-generated images and AI-enhanced generative fill are not permitted
Copyright
- Photographers retain full copyright to their images
- By entering, participants grant the Royal Meteorological Society, its media partners, and Zealous a non-exclusive license to use images for purposes connected with the competition, promotion, education, fundraising, and related activities
- Any third-party sublicensing proposed by the promoter should be notified to the photographer directly before such an arrangement is entered into
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For more information and to enter the competition, visit: the oficial website.
