Wildlife Photographer of the Year announces new jury and competition changes ahead of momentous sixtieth edition

The annual competition is open to photographers of all ages, nationalities and experience levels. 

Ahead of the landmark competition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year has also announced an entry fee waiver for over 100 countries, changes to the competition’s rules, and a new special prize to encourage hopeful stories of the natural world.

Judging the competition

Jury members will convene at the Natural History Museum in London in February 2024 to select just 100 images from thousands of entries from around the world. Each entry will be judged anonymously on its originality, narrative, and ethical practice.

This year’s esteemed international jury are:

• Kathy Moran (USA), Chair of the Jury and Editor
• Rosamund (Roz) Kidman Cox OBE (UK), Editor, Photo editor and Writer
• Luciano Candisani (Brazil), Photographer and Cinematographer
• Dr Paula Kahumbu (Kenya), Storyteller, Ecologist and Wildlife conservationist
• Miranda Lowe CBE (UK), Principal Curator of Crustacea and Cnidarian at the Natural History Museum
• Chien Lee (Malaysia), Wildlife photographer and Biologist
• Tony Wu (Japan), Photonaturalist

From gripping animal behaviour and urban wildlife, to underwater worlds and impactful photojournalism, the 19 categories of the annual competition suit a wide range of interests and expertise.

To all entrants, Kathy Moran, editor and Chair of the jury, says ‘Be original. Trust in your work. All species and landscapes, great and small, have the potential to captivate and motivate. Highlighting solutions is just as valuable as documenting challenges. It is your vision that will shine.’

Awarded photographers will see their image premiered in the flagship exhibition in London before it embarks on a global tour and attend the awards ceremony, held within the iconic Natural History Museum at South Kensington. The overall Grand Title winner and young Grand Title winner also receive a substantial cash prize.  

Competition changes

To celebrate the 60th anniversary the jury will award a special prize, within the 100 winning images, in any category, to recognise a conservation success, a story of hope and/or positive change. The special prize forms part of the Natural History Museum’s vision of a future where both people and planet thrive.

Gemma Ward, competition manager, says ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year is a celebration of the incredible photographers drawing our attention to the natural world. Whether conservation storytelling, nature-based solutions or sharing the adaptions and comeback of species, we also want to encourage and reward wildlife photography that inspires hope.’

Further updates to the competition rules stipulate that photographs must have been taken within the last five years, and that all entries must be the result of a photographic process using a camera. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is seeking new and fresh images that are truthful representations of nature, with ethical requirements given the utmost priority.

A call for all photographers

To further encourage entries from around the world for the sixtieth edition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year will extend the entry fee waiver to photographers who live in Africa, Southeast Asia and Central and South America. These are three regions where the competition has historically received less entries from. 

Following last year’s record number of women entering the competition, Wildlife Photographer of the Year is again particularly calling for more entries from women and nonbinary photographers. The competition will also continue to offer discounted entry to members of organisations that support diversity in wildlife photography.

The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is free to enter for photographers aged 17 and under. To further inspire and support the next generation of wildlife photographers, the young Grand Title winner will also receive a two-day masterclass with a professional photographer.   

For full details about the jury, competition rules, prizes and important dates visit nhm.ac.uk/wpy

Notes for editors

Sixtieth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

• Opens for entries on Monday 16 October 2023.
• Closing for entries at 11.30am GMT on Thursday 7 December 2023.
•  Entrants to the adult competition may enter up to 25 images for a £30 fee, which increases to £35 in the final week of the entry period from 11.30am GMT 30 November 2022 to 11.30am GMT 7 December.
• An entry fee waiver has been introduced for photographers entering the adult competition from countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. 
• Rules and categories will be translated into 15 languages: Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, Arabic, Finnish, German, Korean, Polish, Spanish, Swahili, Italian, Bengali, Hindi and Portuguese.
• Entrants aged 17 and under may enter up to 10 images for free.
• Find out how to enter: www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/competition   

The winners of the fifty-ninth Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Natural History Museum on Tuesday 10 October 2023.

Tickets are now on sale for the upcoming exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, opening to the public on Friday 13 October 2023.

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 is now run and owned by the Natural History Museum, London.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 33, edited by Rosamund Kidman Cox and with a foreword by Kathy Moran, is now available on pre-sale and will be published on 11 October 2023, RRP £28.

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.

Our vision is to build a future in which both people and the planet thrive.

We aim to be a catalyst for change, engaging advocates for the planet in everything that we do. Our 350 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency in all aspects of life.

Visit, join and support the Natural History Museum today. Protecting the planet. It's in our nature.

Media contact

For access to high-resolution images or to arrange interviews with jury members or spokespeople, please contact Josephine Higgins at the Natural History Museum Press Office.

Email: wildpress@nhm.ac.uk

Hashtag for the 2024 competition: #WPY60