2026 Photography Competition

Each Individual entrant can submit a maximum of five entries, distributed among the five categories. No single image may be entered into more than one category. Please ensure each image is no more than 10MB in size.

Entrants are required to provide their full name and email address. We request this personal data for the purpose of the administration of the photography competition. This data will be processed and stored in a secure manner, and will not be used for marketing purposes, unless permission has been given by the individual during the completion of their entry form. We will store the data of the winners in order to make contact and to facilitate the award of prizes.

Entrants under the age of 16 years need to have consent of a parent or guardian to enter, and must provide the email address of said parent or guardian.

All images submitted to the 2026 Photography Competition may be used by Dorset Wildlife Trust on their social media accounts, associated local, regional, national or international press releases and media, as well as on their website, publications, internal and external exhibitions associated with The Trust and future promotional materials to promote the Trust’s work. Copyright will always remain with the photographer and Dorset Wildlife Trust will make every reasonable effort to ensure that name credits of entrants are reproduced on images published in online and printed publications.

The 2026 photography competition sponsors, Dorset Hideaways, have the right to use one of winning images for 12 months as part of their promotions. 

All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the permission of the subject (where necessary) and do not infringe the copyright of any third party. Entrants must warrant that the photograph they are submitting is their own work and that they own the copyright for it.

The welfare of the wildlife subject is more important than the photograph itself. If entries are found to have evidence of undue disturbance or stress inflicted on wildlife in the process of taking the photograph, the entrant will be disqualified. Please avoid damaging habitat or disturbing wildlife in search of the perfect shot. 

Events may occur that render the competition impossible due to reasons beyond the control of Dorset Wildlife Trust and accordingly Dorset Wildlife Trust may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion. The entrant must agree that no liability shall attach to Dorset Wildlife Trust as a result thereof.

All information detailing how to enter this competition forms part of these terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the entrant agrees to abide by these rules.

Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions.

If you have any problems uploading your images or you have any further questions about the Dorset Wildlife Trust Photography Competition 2026, please email us on comms@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Our expert judging panel will consist of:

• Jack Lodge, professional landscape, nature and wildlife photographer
• Sarah Hodgson, Dorset Wildlife Trust's Marine Centres Lead Officer
• James Burland, videographer, photographer and Dorset Wildlife Trust volunteer
• One Young Content Creator representing Dorset Local Nature Partnership and Dorset Wildlife Trust 

All images will be anonymised when being judged by our panel.

The overall winner of the 2026 Photography Competition will receive an exclusive two-night stay on Brownsea Island in Dorset Wildlife Trust's brand-new accommodation.

The four winners of each remaining category will then be ranked in second, third, fourth, and fifth place and allocated the following prizes;

Second place: an Oregon 4 PC Oasis 8x32 from Opticron.

Third place: a £100 voucher to spend at Hall & Woodhouse pubs.

Fourth place: a private tour of the Dorset Beaver Project site.

Fifth place: a guided tour of our exciting community rewilding project, Wild Woodbury.  

The winner selected from the junior category will receive a Fox Mini Roll-top Recycled Backpack (in mustard) and Beaver Beanie (in stone) from Blue Panda Clothing.

We're looking for a showstopping photo taken on any of Dorset Wildlife Trust's scenic nature reserves which captures the beauty of the landscape. Whether it's the rolling hills of Fontmell Down taken by drone or the stunning wildflowers that carpet Kingcombe Meadows captured on a casual stroll, we want to see your most scenic photos of our nature reserves.

Does your garden play host to beautiful butterflies and other pollinators? Do you own an allotment visited by curious robins? Or perhaps your urban green space attracts a photogenic fox! We want to see photos of nature thriving in your green space - from rural to urban, no matter how big or small.

Whether it's a hungry heron with its catch, a stealthy snake stalking its prey, or red squirrels on the run, we want to see your most striking photos of wildlife doing what wildlife does best.

After the incredible success of last year's new category, the marine and coastal wildlife category is back! We received some stunning underwater shots of marine creatures - but we recognise that not everyone will own a professional underwater camera. So remember, this category is open to all things marine and coastal. From wonderful wading birds to remarkable rockpool creatures, there's so much to be seen and snapped by the sea!

Wildlife is unpredictable by nature, and you can never be sure when the perfect photo opportunity is going to arise. If you're out and about without your camera but spot a showstopping wild moment unfolding, snap it on your mobile phone and submit it to this category!

Please note that entrants aged 18 and under can submit their photo to any of the six categories above. However, these entrants will be judged as a separate 'junior' category, and one winner will be selected. Remember that entrants under the age of 16 years need to have consent of a parent or guardian to enter.