The 2025 World Nature Photography Awards have unveiled their breathtaking winning images, celebrating the beauty and power of the natural world. Among the 24 outstanding photographs, each captures a unique and awe-inspiring moment in nature, from dramatic wildlife encounters to stunning landscapes.
The prestigious title of World Nature Photographer of the Year was awarded to Maruša Puhek for her captivating image, Run, which left judges in awe. The competition continues to showcase the talent and dedication of photographers who bring nature’s wonders to life, inspiring global appreciation and conservation efforts. Congratulations to all the winners!
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#1. Grand Prize & Nature Art Winner: MaruSa PUHEK, Slovenia
"This photo was part of my 366 project, when I captured one image every day and carried my camera everywhere. It was a snowy day and I only had a wide-angle lens with me when I spotted two deer running through the snowy vineyard. I took a few shots, frustrated that I didn’t have a telephoto lens with me. Only later, while editing, did I realise how lucky I was; the scene wasn’t overly zoomed in, allowing the snowy surroundings to remain an essential part of the composition."
#2. Nature Art – Silver: Pandula Bandara, Sri Lanka
#3. Nature Art – Bronze: Yasmin namini, USA
#4. Animal Portraits – Gold: Khaichuin Sim, Malaysia
"This captivating macro photograph showcases two brilliantly coloured lanternflies, their bodies adorned with a symphony of vibrant greens, oranges, and yellows. Perched on the textured bark of a tree, these insects seem to glow against the dark background."
#5. Animal Portraits – Silver: Vince Burton, United Kingdom
#6. Animal Portraits – Bronze: Ngar Shun Victor Wong, Hong Kong
#7. Behaviour, Mammals – Gold: Tom Nickels, Finland
"While cruising through the Svalbard archipelago, we encountered three polar bears feeding on several dolphin carcasses. Observing quietly from our boat at a respectful distance, we witnessed one of the bears starting to play with a stick. The bear was totally ignoring us, revealing a surprising playfulness. The behaviour reminded me of an energetic and playful golden retriever fetching a stick."
#8. Behaviour, Mammals – Silver: Jonathan Hodgetts, United Kingdom
#9. Behaviour, Mammals – Bronze: Donna Feldichuk, Canada
#10. Behaviour, Amphibians and Reptiles – Gold: Georgina Steytler, Australia
"This is a blue-spotted mudskipper (Boleophthalmus caeruleomaculatus) leaping in the air in a territorial display, captured on the intertidal mudflats of Roebuck Bay, Broome, Western Australia. We admit that these irascible little fellows are amphibious fish rather than amphibians but don’t begrudge this chap his winning place in this category."
#11. Behaviour, Amphibians and Reptiles – Silver: Jules Oldroyd, UK
#12. Behaviour, Amphibians and Reptiles – Bronze: Marti Phillips, USA
#13. Behaviour, Invertebrates – Gold: Niki Colemont, Belgium
"Sometimes, the most compelling stories unfold in the background, away from where our focus initially lies. I was photographing another subject in the garden in Belgium when, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a robber fly. Nearby, a spider lurked ominously, and I couldn’t help but wonder—what if the spider ensnared the fly in its web? Intrigued, I decided to stay and watch. For the next 30 minutes, I observed nature’s quiet drama. Finally, the spider made its move, and I captured the moment."
#14. Behaviour, Invertebrates – Silver: Rory j Lewis, United Kingdom
#15. Behaviour, Invertebrates – Bronze: Pawel Tyl, Poland
#16. Behaviour, Birds – Gold: Clive Burns, United Kingdom
"Tens of thousands of red knots and other coastal waders are forced from the remaining gravel bars and mudflats in to flight by a high incoming spring tide. I had photographed this incredible event many times previously but it was on this occasion only that the birds flew in a direction that was parallel to me allowing me to get many of the birds in sharp focus."
#17. Behaviour, Birds – Silver: Hermis Valiyandiyil, United Arab Emirates
#18. Behaviour, Birds – Bronze: Mohammad Murad, Kuwait
#19. Plants and Fungi – Gold: Marcio Esteves Cabral, Brazil
"As the dawn light graces the Veadeiros Tablelands, a stunning field of Paepalanthus mirrors the sun’s rays, giving the impression of self-luminescence. I captured the harmony between the vivid sky and these unique backlit plants. These rare flowers are part of the Cerrado biome, which is at risk of deforestation."
#20. Underwater – Gold: Daniel Flormann, Germany
#21. Planet Earth’s landscapes and environments – Gold: Jake Mosher, USA
#22. Black and White – Gold: Paul Goldstein, United Kingdom
#23. Urban Wildlife – Gold: Benjamin Smail, United Kingdom
#24. Nature Photojournalism – Gold: Ael Kermarec, Iceland
