POLARPHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Competition 2026

Sections

Seven ways to see the North and the poles

Enter single images in one or several sections. Each section has its Gold, Silver and Bronze Polar medals, a Jury Choice medal, five ribbons and five Honourable Mentions. Section descriptions set the general scope; they are not exhaustive lists of subjects or species.

Section 01

Northern & Polar Landscapes

Landscapes of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica

Landscape photography from northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, capturing the character, atmosphere and beauty of natural environments.For exampleMountains, fjords, coasts and tundraGlaciers, icebergs and frozen seasNorthern forests, rivers and islandsLight, weather and the changing seasonsExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 02

Northern & Polar Wildlife

Animals of northern and polar regions

Wildlife photography featuring animals in their natural environments across northern and polar regions.For exampleArctic foxes, reindeer, musk oxen and wolvesWalrus, seals and whalesBehaviour, interaction and survivalAnimals in their environmentExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 03

Birds of the North & Polar Regions

Birds of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica

Bird photography from northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, covering all eligible bird species.For exampleOwls, raptors and ptarmiganSeabird colonies, puffins and albatrossesBirds in flightMigration, courtship and nestingExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 04

Northern Lights & Night Sky

Aurora, the night sky and atmospheric phenomena

Aurora borealis, night-sky photography, astronomical subjects and atmospheric phenomena associated with northern and polar environments.For exampleAurora borealis and aurora australisStars, the Milky Way and the moon over polar landscapesNoctilucent clouds, halos and polar stratospheric cloudsThe polar night and the blue hourExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 05

People of the North & Polar Regions

Portraits, cultures and communities

Portraits, cultures, communities and human life across northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, including Indigenous peoples, local communities, researchers, explorers and expedition teams.For exampleIndigenous peoples and local communitiesTraditions, crafts and daily lifeResearchers, explorers and expedition teamsPortraits and storiesExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 06

Polar Bears

Polar bears in their natural environment

Photography of polar bears in their natural environment, capturing their behaviour, interactions and relationship with their surroundings.For exampleBehaviour and interactionMothers and cubsHunting, swimming and restingThe bear in its landscapeExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Section 07

Penguins of Antarctica

Penguins in Antarctic environments

Photography of penguins in Antarctic environments, capturing their behaviour, interactions and life in their natural habitat.For exampleColonies, chicks and parentsBehaviour and interactionPenguins on ice, rock and in the seaLife in the Antarctic habitatExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.

Entry fees

  1. 1st€20
  2. 2nd€10
  3. 3rd€10
  4. 4th€10
  5. 5th€10
  6. 6th🎁Free
  7. 7th🎁Free

First section €20, every further section €10. Enter 5 sections and the other 2 are our gift — all 7 sections for €60. Each section includes up to 4 photos.

Entry requirements

The full rules will be published when entries open.

Polar bear roaring on ice floes in crashing water

Be part of something extraordinary

Choose your category. Tell your story.

Enter now

Entries open 1 November 2026

Photo: Andrii Urlov