The 2025 BigPicture Natural World Photography Awards have once again brought the wonders of the wild to center stage, showcasing some of the most breathtaking and emotionally powerful nature imagery of the year. This internationally acclaimed competition, hosted by the California Academy of Sciences, celebrates the art of conservation photography by highlighting the beauty, fragility, and resilience of life on Earth.
Photo by: Amit Eshel
Among the 14 winning images are awe-inspiring shots of elusive snow leopards navigating Himalayan cliffs, a mother orangutan cradling her infant in the rainforests of Borneo, and a haunting underwater encounter between a jellyfish and a sea turtle caught in a swirling dance of light. Each photograph tells a compelling story—not only of wildlife and wild places—but also of the photographers’ perseverance, creativity, and deep respect for nature.
From grand landscapes to intimate animal portraits, the winning entries span a wide range of ecosystems, species, and photographic styles. These images do more than dazzle—they inform and inspire, reminding us of the urgent need to protect the natural world. The 2025 BigPicture Awards serve as a visual call to action, encouraging viewers to look closer, feel deeper, and act for the planet.
Scroll down and inspire yourself. You can check their website for more information.
You can find more info about Big Picture:
Terrestrial Wildlife
#1. Winner: "Inside The Pack" by Amit Eshel, Israel
"It is theorized that the Arctic wolves (Canis lupus arctos) on Ellesmere Island do not fear humans due to not being hunted or habituated to them. This proved to be the case, when, after many days on the tundra, this photographer was suddenly approached by a pack of wolves. While documenting them, the photographer was surprised at how close they got, noting that at times they were almost touching him and he could smell their breath. While this may seem nerve-wracking, he believes they were just curious and did not see him as a food source. Due to frequent subzero temperatures and remote, arctic conditions, not much is known definitively about these striking creatures and their behavior patterns, but such stories of curious, even playful, wolf encounters on Ellesmere are not uncommon. "
#2. Finalist: "No Eyes" by Mohammad Murad, Kuwait
#3. Finalist: "Pure Bliss" by Dewold Tromp, South Africa
#4. Finalist: "Exorcism" by Sadie Hine, United States
#5. Finalist: "Forest Walker" by Charlie Wemyss-Dunn, United States
#6. Finalist: "Nightclub" by Sitaram Raul, India
#7. Finalist: "The Hunter In Action" by Lucas Bustamante, Ecuador
Winged Life
#8. Winner: "Leaving The Roost" by Dvir Barkay, United States
"At dusk, a family of six Honduran white bats (Ectophylla alba) roost on the underside of a leaf, preparing to take off in search of their dinner. As the first one departs, we’re given a look at its nearly translucent wingspan, a feature often overlooked due to its unique facial features and iconic white fur. As one of the more enigmatic species found near the La Selva Biological Research Station in Costa Rica, this species constructs "tents" out of plant leaves in the forest’s understory by strategically cutting the leaf ribs with its teeth. This image captures one of the members leaving at dusk, with the rest of the family following soon after to find figs, a fruit it eats exclusively. After the feast, the family will return, or make a new tent to take shelter in if needed."
#9. Finalist: "Apollo" by Pål Hermansen, Norway
#10. Finalist: "Radiant Dance" by Khurram Khan, United States
#11. Finalist: "Queleas" by Bence Máté, Hungary
#12. Finalist: "Baby On Board" by Doug Gimesy, Australia
#13. Finalist: "Home on the Leaves" by Minghui Yuan, China
#14. Finalist: "The Smell of Success" by Clay Bolt, United States
