Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2027 Competition Opens in London
The Natural History Museum has opened entries for the 63rd Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, inviting photographers worldwide to submit images celebrating wildlife, revealing conservation challenges, and documenting the natural world. Entries opened on Monday 19 October and close on Thursday 3 December 2026.
Run by the London museum, the competition attracts international attention, offering photographers the opportunity to have their work exhibited to audiences around the world and featured in global media. The photographer awarded the overall Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2027 title could receive a prize of up to £15,000.
A new category, Positive Action, is being introduced for the 2027 competition, building on the success of the existing Impact Award. It will recognise images that capture conservation achievements, meaningful connections with nature, or encouraging signs of environmental change. The aim is to show how people and wildlife can benefit from efforts to protect the natural world.
The Bigger Picture category has also been expanded to bring Oceans and Wetlands together, drawing attention to the importance of marine and freshwater environments.
Seven judges will assess the entries, including former competition winners Karine Aigner, Claudio Contreras Koob, Charlie Hamilton James, Sandesh Kadur, and Tony Wu. Jury chair Kathy Moran returns to lead the panel, joined by Natural History Museum researcher Suzanne Williams, whose scientific expertise includes marine biodiversity and the evolution of colour in sea life.
The judges will select 100 outstanding images, including 16 category winners spanning subjects such as mammal behaviour, urban wildlife, underwater photography, and photojournalism. The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition will also feature three categories for photographers aged 17 and under.
Accessibility remains a priority. Photographers aged 26 and under can enter for free, while entry fees will continue to be waived for photographers from 114 countries across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and Southern America. The museum is also working to encourage greater participation by female and non-binary photographers, including discounted entry arrangements for organisations supporting diversity in wildlife photography.
Competition manager Gemma Ward said the new category puts positive impact and action at the heart of the competition, highlighting photography’s ability to encourage conversations about conservation.
Photographers can find the full competition rules, prize details, and entry information on the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year website.
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