Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024

Owned and operated by the Natural History Museum, London, this is the sixty-first annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

Overview

For the world’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife photography competition, this year’s esteemed international jury comprises seven experts across a range of wildlife and conservation topics. They will select the top 100 images, including the competition's 16 winners in categories ranging from mammal behaviour and urban wildlife to underwater and photojournalism. There are also 3 categories in the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for photographers 17 years old and under.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year will also continue its brand-new Impact Award which was launched for the sixtieth anniversary of the competition to recognise a conservation success, a story of hope and/or positive change.

New for this year’s competition, entrants between 18 and 26 years old can enter up to 25 images free of charge. This is in addition to the competition’s long-standing regulation that photographers aged 17 and under can enter up to 10 images free of charge in the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. As per last year, the entry fee waiver is extended to photographers who live in Africa, Southeast Asia and Central and South America. These are three regions that have previously been underrepresented in the competition.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year is passionate about increasing female and non-binary representation in the competition and wider wildlife photography. Following last year’s record number of female and non-binary entrants to the competition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is continuing to offer discounted entry to members of organisations that support diversity in wildlife photography.

Practical Info

All entries must be of non-captive wild animals, plants, fungi, landscapes and habitats. Entrants to the adult competition may enter up to 25 images. For Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year, photographers can submit up to 10 photos into one of the three age group categories (10 years and under, 11–14 years, and 15–17 years). An entry fee waiver continues for photographers entering the adult competition from countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. Entrants aged between 18 and 26 may enter up to 25 images free of charge. Entrants 17 and under may enter up to 10 images for free.

One photographer aged 18 or over will be awarded £10,000, trophy and personalised certificate. Plus, the Portfolio Award and the Photojournalist Story Award consist of £2,500 and personalised certificate, a trip to London to attend the awards ceremony and the photographer's image published in the WPY Portfolio book. The Rising Star Portfolio Award includes £1,500 and personalised certificate, a portfolio review by a WPY Alumni, plus a trip to London to attend the awards ceremony and the photographer's image published in the WPY Portfolio book. Prizes include also the Special 60th Award, the Adult category winners and the Adult category highly commended.

The winners of the sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum, London, on Tuesday 8 October 2024.

Jury is composed of Gavin Broad (Entomologist and Principal Curator of Hymenoptera at London’s Natural History Museum), Jaime Culebras (Biologist, Herpetologist and Nature Photographer), Charlie Hamilton James (Photographer and Filmmaker), Jennifer Hayes (Marine Biologist and Underwater Photographer), Kathy Moran (Chair of the Jury and Photo Editor), Hans Cosmas Ngoteya (Wildlife and Conservation Storyteller) and Akanksha Sood Singh (Natural History Filmmaker).

About Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year was founded in 1965 by BBC Wildlife Magazine, then called Animals. The Natural History Museum joined forces in 1984 to create the competition as it is known today. The annual competition and touring exhibition are now run and owned by the Natural History Museum, London. Touring venues in the UK currently include Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery; Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; Chester Zoo; The Base, Greenham; The Beacon, Whitehaven.

About the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is a world-leading science centre and one of the most visited attractions in the UK. A global source of curiosity, inspiration and joy, their vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive. The Museum aims to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Their 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life.