Capturing Ecology 2026

Our renowned annual photography competition showcases stories of ecological triumph, challenge and survival from photographers around the world. Submit your photographs that best capture the natural world and have a chance of winning up to £750.

Overview

Bringing ecology to life through the click of a lens, Capturing Ecology celebrates the complexity of our living world. Open to every nature photographer with a story to tell. 

Judged by our expert panel of highly respected wildlife photographers, ecologists and subject experts, the competition aims to celebrate the diversity and complexity of nature and the ecosystems that sustain us.

We have eight categories: Ecologists in Action, Animal, Plant and Fungi, Species Interaction, Resilient Nature, Doorstep Ecology, Macro Photography, and Nature From Above. You can find out more about them here.

Practical Info

All submissions must be submitted via the official entry form. You may submit a maximum of 8 images. No image can be used in 2 categories. We reserve the right to move your photograph to a different category if it has not been submitted to the relevant category. The BES does not accept responsibility for loss, damage or delay to entries, however caused.

Open to all, our prize is free to enter for members of the BES. Entry is waived for all entrants from who are a citizen of, or reside in a Global South country. We actively encourage young photographers too, with competition entry being open to under 18s.

We also partner with several organisations for each category and welcome competition sponsors who can support our ongoing efforts to advance ecology around the world. Get in touch if your organisation would like to be involved.

Prizes

All submissions will be judged by our panel of award-winning wildlife photographers and respected ecologists. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

Overall winner: £750 and 12 months BES membership

Selected by the panel from all submitted photos.

Category winner: £120

Selected by the panel from all submitted photos, excluding the overall winner. An individual may win a maximum of 2 categories.

About the British Ecological Society

We are a global community of scientists shining a spotlight on the intricacy and value of our natural world, providing the evidence for better decisions.