The “Highlights of Nature Photography” competition is one of the most renowned nature photography competitions in the world. Since its foundation in 1999, it has established itself as a platform that presents the beauty and diversity of nature in outstanding photographs.
Since 2024, the competition has been run by Florian and Lisa Marie Smit, who continue to develop it with fresh impetus while maintaining the original claim: the appreciation of authentic nature photography. The focus is on images that are not only technically impressive or spectacular, but also show nature in an aesthetic, narrative and respectful way.
The competition is aimed at photographers of all levels of experience worldwide and is open to images that capture nature in all its diversity and uniqueness. In recent years, around 1,000 photographers from over 30 countries have regularly taken part, submitting tens of thousands of images. This makes the competition one of the largest of its kind and offers a platform for international exchange and recognition.
The pictures are submitted in eight categories:
- Landscapes
- Plants and fungi
- Colors and shapes
- Birds
- Mammals
- Other animal species
- Special moments in nature
- Aerial photos with the multicopter
There is one winner and nine highlights in each category. The All Over Winner is then selected from all categories. In addition, the Junior Award is presented to young talents up to the age of 17 in order to promote up-and-coming talent. A total of 28,000 euros worth of prize money and non-cash prizes will be awarded. The competition has also been awarded the DVF patronage of the German Photographic Association, which further underlines its quality and importance.
The award ceremony traditionally takes place during the International Nature Photography Days in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Application deadline: January 5, 2026