We are absolutely delighted to announce our 2025 winners. We are also thrilled to hand the title of World Nature Photographer of the Year to Maruša Puhek for her image ‘Run.’ Many congratulations to all of our winners! With a new set of winners, our online store continues to grow, offering affordable wall art of some of their images. Simply click the button below or the links next to the images and bring the beauty of nature into your home or office!

Nature art

MaruSa PUHEK, slovenia - Gold WINNer and grand prize of WORLD NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

This photo was part of my 366 project, when I captured one image every day and carried my camera everywhere. It was a snowy day and I only had a wide-angle lens with me when I spotted two deer running through the snowy vineyard. I took a few shots, frustrated that I didn’t have a telephoto lens with me. Only later, while editing, did I realise how lucky I was; the scene wasn’t overly zoomed in, allowing the snowy surroundings to remain an essential part of the composition.

bronze: Yasmin namini, USA

Animal portraits

gold: Khaichuin Sim, MALAYSIA

This captivating macro photograph showcases two brilliantly coloured lanternflies, their bodies adorned with a symphony of vibrant greens, oranges, and yellows. Perched on the textured bark of a tree, these insects seem to glow against the dark background.

Behaviour - Mammals

GOLD: Tom nickels, finland

While cruising through the Svalbard archipelago, we encountered three polar bears feeding on several dolphin carcasses. Observing quietly from our boat at a respectful distance, we witnessed one of the bears starting to play with a stick. The bear was totally ignoring us, revealing a surprising playfulness. The behaviour reminded me of an energetic and playful golden retriever fetching a stick.

bronze: donna feldichuk, canada

Behaviour - Amphibians and reptiles

Gold: Georgina Steytler, Australia

This is a blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) leaping in the air in a territorial display. These irascible little fellows live on the intertidal mudflats of Roebuck Bay, Broome, Western Australia.

Behaviour - Invertebrates

GOLD: niki colemont, belgium

Sometimes, the most compelling stories unfold in the background, away from where our focus initially lies. I was photographing another subject in the garden in Belgium when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a robber fly. Nearby, a spider lurked ominously, and I couldn’t help but wonder—what if the spider ensnared the fly in its web? Intrigued, I decided to stay and watch. For the next 30 minutes, I observed nature's quiet drama. Finally, the spider made its move, and I captured the moment.

Behaviour - Birds

GOLD: CLIVE BURNs, united kingdom

Tens of thousands of red knots and other coastal waders are forced from the remaining gravel bars and mudflats in to flight by a high incoming spring tide. I had photographed this incredible event many times previously but it was on this occasion only that the birds flew in a direction that was parallel to me allowing me to get many of the birds in sharp focus.

People and nature

gold: robert middleton, united kingdom

This photograph captures fishermen harvesting anchovies off the coast of Phu Yen in Vietnam. Amid this tranquil beauty, an undercurrent of concern adds depth to the moment. The issue of overfishing, even on this seemingly small scale, looms large, casting a shadow over the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. This scene reminds us of our interconnectedness with nature and our responsibility to act as stewards of the earth.

SILVER: asaf amran, ISrael BRONZE: JOHN EDWARDS, USA

GOLD: marcio esteves cabral, brazil

As the dawn light graces the Veadeiros Tablelands, a stunning field of Paepalanthus mirrors the sun's rays, giving the impression of self-luminescence. I captured the harmony between the vivid sky and these unique backlit plants. These rare flowers are part of the Cerrado biome, which is at risk of deforestation.

Underwater

gold: daniel flormann, germany

This image captures a poignant moment as a young olive ridley sea turtle embarks on its delicate journey into the vast open ocean at Kasait, Timor Leste. Sea turtles, known in the local language Tetum as 'Lenuk Tasi', return to the very beaches where they once hatched to lay their own eggs. Sadly, these fragile nests face numerous threats, from natural predators to human activities. Yet, even if hatchlings make it to the ocean, only an estimated one in 1,000 to 10,000 survives to adulthood. This image was made possible by the turtle conservation group called 'Lenuk Tasi', led by marine science students from Dili, whose dedication helps protect these incredible creatures.

Planet Earth’s landscapes and environments

gold: jake mosher, usa

I spent six years trying to capture this scene of the summer Milky Way reflected in Montana's Hyalite Lake. I wanted the sharp reflection, but until this past summer made the five-mile hike multiple times in vain - wind was my nemesis, shifting shoreline reeds and making alignment of the panorama impossible. Finally, in July 2023, I had 26 dead calm minutes and, running two cameras, captured the scene I'd imagined for a long time. I remained on scene all night and at dawn noticed a few obsidian shards near where I'd set up my cameras. I loved thinking that, for thousands of years, people have looked up at the night sky here with much the same wonder I feel today. I hope we never unravel all of our universe's mysteries.

Black and white

GOLD: paul goldstein, united kingdom

This coalition of five cheetah had crossed the border from the reserve earlier that day. We waited for several hours as they lined up a young hartebeest before tagging it in a shallow flooded pan. We drove to the nearest dry grass and waited, gambling on them dragging it there to feed. They did, and got some shade from the vehicle too enabling a very wide angle image. This image is not taken by a drone. They are rightfully, and thankfully, banned in these priceless conservancies.

Animals in their habitat

gold: Malini Chandrasekar, united kingdom

On my recent trip to Svalbard, I explored a different perspective in my photographic journey; I embraced the wide angle to create a stronger narrative of animal and land, allowing for a bolder emotional connection. So, when we found a walrus resting on some pack ice in the tundra under the moody skies, I took advantage of this and used my 14-30mm at 18mm. 

I positioned myself low and lined him up just right, in amongst the fjord, crossing the horizon line and central to my story.

Urban wildlife

gold: benjamin smail, united kingdom

In the most unlikely of places, where the grit of human industry meets the grace of nature, lies a story of resilience and coexistence. This image captures the striking contrast between a colossal fuel depot in Mandinari, Gambia, and a male Pin-tailed Whydah in full breeding plumage. Taken during an October trip, this moment is particularly special as the bird will soon undergo transformation into a more brown, drab plumage. During the breeding season, coinciding with the rainy season in West Africa, I enjoy capturing this kind of photography to illustrate the connection between humanity and nature. Gambia holds a special place in my heart, as I run two trips a year there. I would love for this image to connect with people and encourage them to explore birding in Gambia, helping to boost eco-tourism in this beautiful region.

Nature photojournalism

GOLD: ael kermarec, iceland

This winter morning, Iceland experienced its 6th volcanic eruption in less than 3 years on the Reykjanes peninsula. The exceptional speed of the lava flows left little hope for the few infrastructures affected. This drone flight illustrates in a rather brutal and dramatic way this powerful act of nature reclaiming its rights. Little did I know that this event was only the first of a yet-to-be-over series of similar episodes spreading even further out each time. More episodes took place in the very same area in 2024, showing that, after 800 years of calm on the Reykjanes peninsula, we have now definitely entered a challenging period of volcanic unrest.

To see last year’s winners, click here.