2026 World Nature Photography Award Winners Announced, Showcasing Global Talent
The winners of the prestigious World Nature Photography Award for 2026 have been officially announced, highlighting an extraordinary array of talent from photographers across the globe. This year's competition attracted entries from diverse regions, capturing breathtaking moments in the natural world that underscore the beauty and fragility of our planet.
Grand Prize and Underwater Category Winner
Australian underwater photographer Jono Allen was named the winner of the Grand Prize, earning the title of World Nature Photographer of the Year. He also secured gold in the Underwater category with a rare and captivating image of a white humpback calf named Mãhina, photographed alongside her mother in the waters of Tonga. This remarkable sighting showcases the elusive nature of these majestic creatures.
Category Highlights and Notable Entries
The awards featured numerous jaw-dropping categories, each with its own standout moments. In the Animal Portraits category, Mary Schrader captured a young female gorilla in Bwindi, Uganda, mesmerized by a brightly-coloured butterfly, a moment she described as one of 'delicate beauty and fragile interconnectedness'.
Other impressive entries include:
- Behaviour - Mammals: Vaidehi Chandrasekar from Singapore photographed a giraffe in Botswana drinking water, with golden light illuminating the spray as it lifted its head.
- Behaviour - Amphibians and Reptiles: Dewald Tromp witnessed a Namaqua chameleon enduring a sandstorm in the Namib Desert, South Africa, with tiny pebbles blowing towards its closed eyes.
- Behaviour - Invertebrates: Minghui Yuan placed first with an image of a moss moth larva creating a protective net nest in China's Xishuangbanna rainforest.
- Behaviour - Birds: Fenqiang Liu captured an egret flying across the sun in Central Florida, with light highlighting the intricate structure of its wings.
Diverse Themes and Environmental Messages
The competition also explored themes beyond wildlife behaviour. In the People and Nature category, Deena Sveinsson photographed a bull moose curiously inspecting camera gear in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. Meanwhile, the Urban Wildlife category featured a poignant image by Robert Gloeckner of a polar bear surrounded by discarded electronics in Manitoba, symbolising the 'ongoing struggle between wilderness and waste'.
Additional category winners include:
- Plants and Fungi: Duncan Wood's autumnal image of an elder birch covered in lichen and golden leaves in Scotland.
- Nature Art: Simon Biddie's photograph of a small reef fish blending into orange and yellow coral.
- Planet Earth’s Landscapes and Environments: Miki Spitzer's drone image of a swirling geothermal pool in Iceland, likened to a dragon's eye.
- Black and White: Christopher Baker's shot of an adult pond slider turtle standing on a stump, looking skyward.
- Animals in Their Habitat: Charlie Wemyss-Dunn's moment of a brown bear launching at sockeye salmon in Alaska's Katmai National Park.
- Nature Photojournalism: Alain Schroeder's image of Kayla, a 37-year-old chimpanzee, undergoing an ultrasound with temperature-control accessories.
These winning photographs not only celebrate artistic excellence but also raise awareness about environmental issues and the interconnectedness of all life forms. The 2026 awards continue to inspire both photographers and nature enthusiasts worldwide, encouraging a deeper appreciation for our planet's wonders.
