The 2026 Photography Awards
One of the world's largest nature photography contests returns for its 2026 edition — eight categories, a distinguished jury, and prizes celebrating the images and image-makers that change the way we see the natural world. Winners will be announced ahead of the Nature inFocus Festival in Bangalore.
Submission window
15 April – 31 May 2026
Closed 11:59 PM IST, 31 May 2026 · no extensions
Categories
8 + Young
across adult & young photographer groups
Top prize
₹1,00,000
Photographer of the Year, plus gear & safaris
Entry fee
₹1,600
Adults · ₹800 for young photographers
The categories
Eight ways to see the wild
Nature inFocus Photographer of the Year
The wild has many stories — a cohesive photo story of 6–10 images built around a single theme in nature or conservation.
Animal Behaviour
Animal behaviours that are unexpected, seldom witnessed, or simply captivating — moments that remind us how much there is still to learn.
Animal Portraits
Go beyond the surface — through mood, expression or gaze, offer a glimpse into an animal's character, personality or emotion.
Ramki Sreenivasan Conservation Photography Award
In memory of Ramki Sreenivasan, honouring photographs that shed light on conservation and tell urgent or hopeful stories.
Creative Nature Photography
Push the boundaries of how we experience nature — experiment with technique, composition and visual storytelling.
Wildscape & Animals in Their Habitat
Frame wildlife within the wider landscape — how animals move through, survive in and shape the spaces they call home.
Coexistence
From cities to forests — the everyday relationships, mutual adaptations and many ways people live alongside wildlife in a shared world.
Himalayas on the Edge
The Indian Himalayan region is at risk — the waste, the pollution, the wildlife lost in the careless trail of human presence.
Young Photographer
For photographers aged 17 and under — how young storytellers see the natural world, through behaviour, conservation or a creative lens.
The jury
Who’s judging
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shukla
IFS (Retd.) · Former PCCF, Madhya Pradesh & Member Secretary, CZA
A former Field Director of Kanha Tiger Reserve and Additional Director of the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, with a wide range of experience across forestry and wildlife conservation.
Payal Mehta
Naturalist & co-founder, Nature Guides Academy
A naturalist, wildlife tour leader and educator who has led tours across South Asia and develops nature-guide programs with local communities.
Samreen Farooqui
Ecological filmmaker · heads films at Roundglass Sustain
A filmmaker, producer and commissioning editor with over 20 years in non-fiction media, now heading films at Roundglass Sustain.
Shaaz Jung
Wildlife photographer & National Geographic cinematographer
A professional wildlife photographer and cinematographer known for documenting big cats; Director of Photography on the National Geographic film The Real Black Panther.
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Wildlife photographer · Earth Heroes & Carl Zeiss awardee
One of India's most respected nature and conservation photographers, recipient of the Earth Heroes and Carl Zeiss Conservation awards.
Curators
Rohit Varma
Founder, Nature inFocus
A marketeer by profession, passionate about the natural world and conservation, and a keen wildlife photographer and filmmaker.
Kalyan Varma
Founder, Nature inFocus
A wildlife photographer, filmmaker and naturalist specialising in environmental issues, freelancing with National Geographic, the BBC and leading NGOs.
The prizes
What winners take home
Photographer of the Year
Winner
- ·₹1,00,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
- ·OM System OM-5 Mark II + lens
- ·4 nights stay + 4 safaris (Ran Riders)
- ·3 nights stay (MeruVann)
- ·Leofoto carbon-fibre monopod
Runner-Up
- ·₹35,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
Special Mention
- ·Certificate & plaque
Category Winners
Winner
- ·₹50,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
- ·Accommodation & equipment package
Runner-Up
- ·₹35,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
Special Mention
- ·Certificate & plaque
Young Photographer
Winner
- ·₹50,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
- ·OM System TG-7
- ·2 nights stay + 2 safaris
Runner-Up
- ·₹35,000 cash
- ·Trophy & certificate
Special Mention
- ·Certificate & plaque
The fine print
Rules & eligibility
Eligibility & ethics
- –Images shot within the last 5 years.
- –No harm to any animal or its habitat.
- –No captive animals, pets, farm animals or models — unless highlighting captivity issues.
- –No photographs of nesting birds, and no live bait.
- –Complete, truthful location information for every image.
- –Full compliance with all national and international wildlife laws.
Image specifications
- –JPEG, RGB, max 1920px on the longest side, under 2MB.
- –No borders, frames, watermarks, signatures or names.
- –Basic retouching allowed; stitching only for panoramas (must be declared).
- –Black & white accepted.
- –RAW files required from shortlisted entrants for verification.
Judging
- –Scored on creativity, originality, composition, and technical & ethical merit.
- –The jury may re-categorise entries, declare ties or withhold awards.
- –Shortlist notification is by email only.
- –Winning & shortlisted images may be exhibited at the Nature inFocus Festival.
This is a summary. Full terms, conditions and FAQs are on the official contest page.