Wildlife Photographer of the Year is one of the most prestigious wildlife photography competitions in the world, with thousands of entries every year. Now, the competition has opened for its 62nd year.
Why not make this the year you enter? You can start your entry online via the Natural History Museum's website. But before you do, take a look at the expert advice from Chair of the Jury Kathy Moran on what the jury is looking for and how to make your entry stand out. Good luck!
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What are the Wildlife Photographer of the Year judges looking for?
Surprise, originality – a species new to the competition – or an extraordinary moment are the elements that stand out for the jury. Of course, the beauty of a jury is that we all come with different experiences and aesthetics but there is a collective thrill when you see something unexpected. An imperfect, never-before-seen moment can stand up against the most beautifully composed photograph. Nature and juries are full of surprises.
What makes an image stand out?
Moment and composition are key to being noticed but it is surprising how having time with an image can make a difference. Sometimes that quiet photograph that you keep scratching your head over can come to have a lasting impact. One thing that I think photographers should consider is that if your photograph – out of over 60 thousand – makes it to the second round of judging that says we saw something in your work. Even if you don’t win, you work was noticed.
Which images from across the years of WPY have really stood out for you?
I think increasingly the competition has done an incredible job of highlighting conservation issues and lesser-recognised species. The beautiful wildlife photographs are always going to shine but images like Brent Stirton’s poached rhino, Brian Skerry’s thresher shark in the net, Karine Aigner’s cactus bees, Yongqing Bao’s Himalayan marmot and Tibetan fox... these are photographs that continue to captivate, haunt and inform. I have such respect for the NHM and the competition for embracing such a wide range of topics and species.
Can you tell if an image is a result of time and skill, or luck and timing?
To a certain extent all the skill and time – and research and planning – goes out the window the minute the photographer walks out the door. Timing and luck are the gifts of nature and if an impactful photograph is the result, embrace it!
What tips do you have for submitting images of familiar species to WPY?
I am never going to be tired of looking at great photographs of lions, tigers and bears. The jury doesn’t disregard species because we’ve seen them before. Ultimately it comes down to the photograph. Is this new behavior, is this a fresh perspective, is this a different aesthetic? It is always about the quality and the impact of the photograph.
What are the do’s and don’ts when selecting an image to enter?
Read the rules! Take the time to consider your edit. Get a second opinion – get several. Do not wait until the last minute to enter. So often it is the tiniest misunderstanding of one rule or a bad internet connection that prevents a photograph from being considered. Look at the images that placed the year before – be original, surprise us. Can you stand behind how the photograph was made, how it was processed?
These things will be discussed by the jury and will be of the utmost importance to us. Imagine that you are in the room with us and that we want to know everything about the situation. That should be the metric. Ultimately, trust your gut.
What makes WPY particularly important?
Integrity. The competition brings together a respect for the natural world and the power of photography to delight, inform, sometimes shock and occasionally impact change. WPY also embraces a judging system that respects the jury and the photographers. By giving the jury the luxury of time together and ensuring that diverse experiences, skills and aesthetics are represented, WPY guarantees that the most memorable work has time to shine. And, like the natural world, the competition has never been afraid to evolve, to change rules, to add categories, to engage with the audience. WPY embraces beauty and complexity, challenges and solutions. It is the gold standard.
Can you tell us more about the new rules coming into force for WPY62? Why did WPY make these changes?
We are committed to ethical wildlife practice above all else, so, this year, we've updated our rule on baiting. From this competition onwards, any form of baiting will not be allowed, except where the photograph is the result of legitimate scientific research, which must be clearly stated in the image caption when submitted.
Previously, the competition’s rules stated that the jury would strongly favour non-baited photographs, with live baiting or any means of baiting that may put an animal in danger, or adversely affect its behaviour, having been banned for many years. The change to a complete ban reflects our continued focus on championing images that celebrate the natural world with respect and integrity.
How has AI affected the competition?
Although we may be more susceptible to receiving images that have been created or edited using AI, our winning 100 images will never be affected by this. We have very strict processes in place including rigorous testing of the RAW/original files by an independent technical consultant. We also secure the before and after shots, with photographers very rarely taking just a single image frame. We take the authenticity of our competition very seriously.
Discover award-winning images from this year
- Powerful images show beauty and brutality of birds like you've never seen them before
- Incredible image of deer running through snow-covered vineyard among winners in World Nature Photography Awards 2025
- 20 mind-blowing images from Ocean Photographer of the Year 2025
- Gigantic crocodile among 20 astonishing images from Mangrove Photography Awards 2025
Top image: 'Special Delivery' by Bidyut Kalita, Highly Commended in Behaviour: Invertebrates, 2025. Credit: Bidyut Kalit/Wildlife Photographer of the Year.