Photography Contest
NATURE AND HUMANS Photo Contest 2026
Deadline |
09/28/26Theme |
Several CategoriesTerritory |
WorldwideEligibility |
Open to allEntry Fees |
25 EurosPrizes |
Cash PrizeNature and Humans is an international photography contest that invites reflection on
the relationship between people and nature. Organized by the DESEA Foundation,
the 2026 edition offers more than €17,000 in prizes, including €10,000 in cash and
the rest in professional photographic equipment and travel vouchers.
The contest stands out as a unique platform where art, environmental awareness,
and international exposure converge. Its main categories focus on
conservation—with the most prominent awards—and also include themes such as
Mammals, Birds, Oceans, and Other Animals.
It features a renowned international jury. This edition is supported and sponsored by
top brands such as Sony, Wildwatching Spain, OM System, Fotografiarte, Pangea,
and FONAMAD
Prizes:
The contest offers more than €17,000 in total prizes, with over €10,000 in cash. Additional prizes include professional photography equipment.
Category 01 “Conservation Photography - thematic series”. The winning series will
receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the
series placed second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by
the Foundation.
Category 02 “Conservation Photography - single image”. The winning image will receive
a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the image
placed second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the
Foundation.
Category 03 “Conservation Photography - Spain”. The winning image will receive a cash
prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the image placed
second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the
Foundation.
Category 04 “Conservation, Told by Women”. The winning story will receive a cash prize
of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the story placed second)
will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
Special Category 05 “The Beauty of the Planet”. The winning image will receive a €1,000
(one thousand euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable against the booking of
any international trip offered by Wildwatching Spain.
Special Category 06 “The Beauty of Spain”. The winning image will receive a €500 (five
hundred euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable against the booking of any
nature photography hide offered by Wildwatching Spain.
Thematic Category 07 - Mammals. The winning image will receive SONY photographic
equipment, offered by SONY Spain. The equipment to be delivered is yet to be confirmed,
but its retail price will in any case exceed €1,700 (one thousand seven hundred euros).
Thematic Category 08 - Birds. The winning image will receive a €500 (five hundred euros)
voucher redeemable against the purchase of photographic equipment at Fotografiarte, one
of the best specialist photography retailers in Spain.
Thematic Category 09 - Oceans. The winning image will receive a compact camera
waterproof up to 15 metres without the need for a housing, offered by OM SYSTEM. The
recommended retail price of this equipment is €479. The winning image will also receive up
to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 10 - Other Animals. The winning image will receive €400 (four hundred
euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 11 - Landscape. The winning image will receive an OM-5 Mark II with
12-45 mm lens, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is
€1,549. The winning image will also receive up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover
shipping costs, offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 12 - Creative. The winning image will receive a €300 (three hundred
euros) voucher redeemable against the purchase of photographic equipment at FotoRuano,
one of the best specialist photography retailers in Spain, and €200 (two hundred euros) in
cash, offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 13 - Young. The winning image will receive a collection of photography
books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to
cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 14 - Child. The winning image will receive a collection of photography books
valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover
shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 15 - People’s Choice. The winning image will receive a gift card offered by
Pangea valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash
to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Additionally, FONAMAD will offer free membership during 2026 to all awarded persons
(winning image, runner-up, or finalist), or a gift of similar value if the awarded persons are
already members of FONAMAD.
As a new feature in the 2026 edition, the competition will appoint TWO OVERALL WINNING
IMAGES: one overall winner from the conservation categories and one overall winner from
the thematic categories.
Overall Conservation Winner. Among all the winning photographs and series from
Categories 01, 02, 03 and 04, the jury will select a single image as the overall conservation
winner. The selected photograph will receive an additional cash prize of €500 (five hundred
euros), offered by the Foundation, which will be added to the €1,500 prize from its category,
meaning that this image will receive a total prize of €2,000 (two thousand euros).
Overall Winner of Thematic Categories. Among all the winning images from Thematic
Categories 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 and 12, the jury will select one image as the overall winner of
the thematic categories. The selected photograph will receive an additional cash prize of
€500 (five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation. This prize will be added to the prize
corresponding to the thematic category won by the photograph.
– Categories or themes
The three “Conservation Photography” special categories seek images that explore
the relationship between humans and the natural environment. These can be
challenging, inspiring, provocative, or revealing, and must show how our attitudes
and actions affect nature—positively or negatively. Originality and environmental
awareness will be highly valued. Participants must explain the subject in detail,
including concrete data. The jury will have access to this information during
selection.
These three special categories are the only ones that allow images of non-free or
captive animals (e.g., in recovery centers, industrial farms, circuses,
slaughterhouses, etc.) or deceased animals (e.g., wildlife trafficking, poaching,
animal parts). However, excessively graphic images will not necessarily be
considered more effective for conservation.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Thematic Series”
A series of six images with a conservation theme.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Single Image”
A single image with clear conservation content.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Spain”
A single image with clear conservation content taken in Spain.
Special Category “Nature, Through Women’s Eyes”
A story about nature captured by a female photographer, told through 5 to 10
images.
Special Category “The Beauty of the Planet”
A single image showcasing the astonishing beauty and fragility of the world’s
animal species. Images must have been taken during nature photography
trips outside Spain organized by Wildwatching Spain after January 1, 2022.
Special Category “The Beauty of Spain”
A single image showcasing the beauty and fragility of Spain’s animal species.
Images must have been taken in any hide or outing organized in Spain by
Wildwatching Spain after January 1, 2022.
Category – Mammals
Wild and free mammals, at any life stage, anywhere in the world.
Category – Birds
Wild and free birds, at any life stage, anywhere in the world. Nest images will
not be accepted.
Category – Oceans
Underwater images taken in the world’s seas and oceans. The animals must
be wild and free.
Category – Other Animals
Images of wild and free animals not covered by the Mammals, Birds, or
Oceans categories, at any life stage and anywhere in the world.
Category – Landscape
Images of the Earth’s remaining natural paradises.
Category – Creative
Images that propose new visual interpretations of the natural world, using
abstraction, colors, shapes, and textures to evoke emotion and wonder.
Special Award – Youth
Open to participants under 15 as of June 1, 2026. Nature-themed images
only, respecting the contest’s ethical code.
Open to participants under 18 as of June 1, 2026. Nature-themed images
only, respecting the contest’s ethical code.
Special Award – People’s Choice
A selection of images chosen by the jury will be submitted to public voting via
the contest website or Instagram.
Prizes:
The contest offers more than €17,000 in total prizes, with over €10,000 in cash. Additional prizes include professional photography equipment.
Category 01 “Conservation Photography - thematic series”. The winning series will
receive a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the
series placed second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by
the Foundation.
Category 02 “Conservation Photography - single image”. The winning image will receive
a cash prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the image
placed second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the
Foundation.
Category 03 “Conservation Photography - Spain”. The winning image will receive a cash
prize of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the image placed
second) will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the
Foundation.
Category 04 “Conservation, Told by Women”. The winning story will receive a cash prize
of €1,500 (one thousand five hundred euros), and the runner-up (the story placed second)
will receive a cash prize of €500 (five hundred euros), both offered by the Foundation.
Special Category 05 “The Beauty of the Planet”. The winning image will receive a €1,000
(one thousand euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable against the booking of
any international trip offered by Wildwatching Spain.
Special Category 06 “The Beauty of Spain”. The winning image will receive a €500 (five
hundred euros) voucher, with no expiration date, redeemable against the booking of any
nature photography hide offered by Wildwatching Spain.
Thematic Category 07 - Mammals. The winning image will receive SONY photographic
equipment, offered by SONY Spain. The equipment to be delivered is yet to be confirmed,
but its retail price will in any case exceed €1,700 (one thousand seven hundred euros).
Thematic Category 08 - Birds. The winning image will receive a €500 (five hundred euros)
voucher redeemable against the purchase of photographic equipment at Fotografiarte, one
of the best specialist photography retailers in Spain.
Thematic Category 09 - Oceans. The winning image will receive a compact camera
waterproof up to 15 metres without the need for a housing, offered by OM SYSTEM. The
recommended retail price of this equipment is €479. The winning image will also receive up
to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 10 - Other Animals. The winning image will receive €400 (four hundred
euros) in cash, offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 11 - Landscape. The winning image will receive an OM-5 Mark II with
12-45 mm lens, offered by OM SYSTEM. The recommended retail price of this equipment is
€1,549. The winning image will also receive up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover
shipping costs, offered by the Foundation.
Thematic Category 12 - Creative. The winning image will receive a €300 (three hundred
euros) voucher redeemable against the purchase of photographic equipment at FotoRuano,
one of the best specialist photography retailers in Spain, and €200 (two hundred euros) in
cash, offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 13 - Young. The winning image will receive a collection of photography
books valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to
cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 14 - Child. The winning image will receive a collection of photography books
valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash to cover
shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Special Award 15 - People’s Choice. The winning image will receive a gift card offered by
Pangea valued at €300 (three hundred euros), and up to €100 (one hundred euros) in cash
to cover shipping costs, all offered by the Foundation.
Additionally, FONAMAD will offer free membership during 2026 to all awarded persons
(winning image, runner-up, or finalist), or a gift of similar value if the awarded persons are
already members of FONAMAD.
As a new feature in the 2026 edition, the competition will appoint TWO OVERALL WINNING
IMAGES: one overall winner from the conservation categories and one overall winner from
the thematic categories.
Overall Conservation Winner. Among all the winning photographs and series from
Categories 01, 02, 03 and 04, the jury will select a single image as the overall conservation
winner. The selected photograph will receive an additional cash prize of €500 (five hundred
euros), offered by the Foundation, which will be added to the €1,500 prize from its category,
meaning that this image will receive a total prize of €2,000 (two thousand euros).
Overall Winner of Thematic Categories. Among all the winning images from Thematic
Categories 07, 08, 09, 10, 11 and 12, the jury will select one image as the overall winner of
the thematic categories. The selected photograph will receive an additional cash prize of
€500 (five hundred euros), offered by the Foundation. This prize will be added to the prize
corresponding to the thematic category won by the photograph.
– Categories or themes
The three “Conservation Photography” special categories seek images that explore
the relationship between humans and the natural environment. These can be
challenging, inspiring, provocative, or revealing, and must show how our attitudes
and actions affect nature—positively or negatively. Originality and environmental
awareness will be highly valued. Participants must explain the subject in detail,
including concrete data. The jury will have access to this information during
selection.
These three special categories are the only ones that allow images of non-free or
captive animals (e.g., in recovery centers, industrial farms, circuses,
slaughterhouses, etc.) or deceased animals (e.g., wildlife trafficking, poaching,
animal parts). However, excessively graphic images will not necessarily be
considered more effective for conservation.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Thematic Series”
A series of six images with a conservation theme.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Single Image”
A single image with clear conservation content.
Special Category “Conservation Photography – Spain”
A single image with clear conservation content taken in Spain.
Special Category “Nature, Through Women’s Eyes”
A story about nature captured by a female photographer, told through 5 to 10
images.
Special Category “The Beauty of the Planet”
A single image showcasing the astonishing beauty and fragility of the world’s
animal species. Images must have been taken during nature photography
trips outside Spain organized by Wildwatching Spain after January 1, 2022.
Special Category “The Beauty of Spain”
A single image showcasing the beauty and fragility of Spain’s animal species.
Images must have been taken in any hide or outing organized in Spain by
Wildwatching Spain after January 1, 2022.
Category – Mammals
Wild and free mammals, at any life stage, anywhere in the world.
Category – Birds
Wild and free birds, at any life stage, anywhere in the world. Nest images will
not be accepted.
Category – Oceans
Underwater images taken in the world’s seas and oceans. The animals must
be wild and free.
Category – Other Animals
Images of wild and free animals not covered by the Mammals, Birds, or
Oceans categories, at any life stage and anywhere in the world.
Category – Landscape
Images of the Earth’s remaining natural paradises.
Category – Creative
Images that propose new visual interpretations of the natural world, using
abstraction, colors, shapes, and textures to evoke emotion and wonder.
Special Award – Youth
Open to participants under 15 as of June 1, 2026. Nature-themed images
only, respecting the contest’s ethical code.
Open to participants under 18 as of June 1, 2026. Nature-themed images
only, respecting the contest’s ethical code.
Special Award – People’s Choice
A selection of images chosen by the jury will be submitted to public voting via
the contest website or Instagram.
Featured Photo Contest
AAP Magazine #59 / SHAPES
$1,000 cash prizes | Winning image(s) published in AAP Magazine #59 | Extensive press coverage and global recognition
© Stephen Rauch
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