Incredible and intimate wildlife images revealed in close-up photo awards

The shortlist for Close-up Photographer of the Year 2025 has been revealed. From dazzling bees to sleeping sloths, we take a look at some of this year's entries.

Orchid Bee Colombia by Clay Bolt | CUPOTY

Daniel Graham

Published: November 4, 2025 at 2:53 pm

The shortlist for Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) 2025 has been announced – and there are some truly stunning shots, including brilliant butterflies, posing frogs, stalking spiders and cuddling sloths.

The top 100 pictures from CUPOTY 2025 will be revealed in January 2026.

Close-up Photographer of the Year 2025 shortlist

Insects-Pavel Krásenský-Hungry Springtails-CUPOTY 7 — 'Hungry Springtails' by Pavel Krásenský | CUPOTY

'In Mothers Arms' by Dvir Barkay | CUPOTY

Underwater-Daniel Sly-Ethereal Frogfish-CUPOTY 7 — 'Ethereal Frogfish' by Daniel Sly | CUPOTY

Insects-Tony North-Ash Cicada Exuvia-CUPOTY 7 — 'Ash Cicada Exuvia' by Tony North | CUPOTY

Animals-Guillaume Correa-Pimpao-Guided by the Whistles-CUPOTY 7 — 'Guided by the Whistles' by Guillaume Correa-Pimpao | CUPOTY

Arachnids-Justin Chan-Pumpkin Spice-CUPOTY 7 — 'Pumpkin Spice' by Justin Chan | CUPOTY

'Bearded Ghost' by Imre Potyó | CUPOTY

Animals-Douglas Gimesy-Splash-CUPOTY 7 — 'Splash' by Douglas Gimesy | CUPOTY

Arachnids-Barry Webb-Mite feeding on slime mould-CUPOTY 7 — 'Mite Feeding on Slime Mould' by Barry Webb | CUPOTY

Plants-Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas-It_s a Trap!-CUPOTY 7 — 'It's a Trap!' by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas | CUPOTY

Insects-Imre Potyó-Light Trap-CUPOTY 7 — 'Light Trap' by Imre Potyó | CUPOTY

Insects-Uwe Zimmermann-Bee in Flight-CUPOTY 7 — 'Bee in Flight' by Uwe Zimmermann | CUPOTY

Invertebrate Portrait-Andrei Chetronie-Leafcutter Bee-CUPOTY 7 — 'Leafcutter Bee' by Andrei Chetronie | CUPOTY

'Weevil's End' by Rafael Steinlesberger | CUPOTY

Insects-Paweł Tyl-3 Springtails-CUPOTY 7 — '3 Springtails' by Paweł Ty | CUPOTY

Animals-Willi Roman-Frog in the Wall — 'Frog in the Wall' by Willi Roman | CUPOTY

ANIMALS-VINCZE Balint-In the Forest of Mordor-CUPOTY 7 — 'In the Forest of Mordor' by Vincze Balint | CUPOTY

Arachnids-Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas-Predator-CUPOTY 7 — 'Predator' by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas | CUPOTY

Underwater-Fabi Fregonesi-Eyes Bigger Than Stomach-CUPOTY 7 — 'Eyes Bigger Than Stomach' by Fabi Fregonesi | CUPOTY

Underwater-Maryline Renault-Orangutan Crab the MiniatureUnderwater Primate-CUPOTY 7 — 'Orangutan Crab the Miniature Underwater Primate' by Maryline Renault | CUPOTY

Insects-Clay Bolt-Orchid Bee Colombia-CUPOTY 7 — 'Orchid Bee Colombia' by Clay Bolt | CUPOTY

Animals-Luca Lorenz-Whiskers-CUPOTY 7 — 'Whiskers' by Luca Lorenz | CUPOTY

Arachnids-Laurent Hesemans-Price of Living-CUPOTY 7 — 'Price of Living' by Laurent Hesemans | CUPOTY

Animals-Rafael Steinlesberger-Precarious Perch-CUPOTY 7 — 'Precarious Perch' by Rafael Steinlesberger | CUPOTY

ANIMALS-Lorenzo Shoubridge-The Dark Side-CUPOTY 7 — 'The Dark Side' by Lorenzo Shoubridge | CUPOTY

Butterflies-Pal Hermansen-Flight-CUPOTY 7 — 'Flight' by Pal Hermansen | CUPOTY

Animals-Turgay Uzer-The Decisive Moment-CUPOTY 7 — 'The Decisive Moment' by Turgay Uzer | CUPOTY

Find out more about Close-up Photographer of the Year

Top image: 'Orchid Bee Colombia' by Clay Bolt | CUPOTY

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Danny writes about wildlife, conservation and the environment.