This is a sponsored article on behalf of the Natural History Museum.
Cactus bees competing for a mate. A pride of lions snoozing in the Serengeti. A Tibetan fox poised to attack a terror-struck Himalayan marmot. These are just some of the incredible images celebrated by the Natural History Museum in recent years.
Every year, thousands of photographers across the globe submit work to the museum showcasing the wonders of the natural world, in the hope of bagging one of the world's most prestigious photography awards. The top 100 — as painstakingly selected by a panel of judges — then go on display in a blockbuster exhibition, which opens at the Natural History Museum before touring the globe.
This is Wildlife Photographer of the Year. It's an exhibition that both celebrates the sheer majesty of nature, and sounds the alarm on a planet under extreme pressure. And it all began with a modest magazine competition back in 1965...
Wildlife photography through the decades
Back in the 1960s, wildlife photography was in its infancy. In 1965, BBC Wildlife Magazine (then known as Animals) sought to advance the field with a competition that attracted a mere 361 entries. It grew exponentially in popularity over the following years, though — by 1984, the Natural History Museum had got involved, and today the competition attracts over 59,000 entries, with millions of visitors across the world flocking to the accompanying exhibition.
Since its inception, the competition has been about both enhancing the prestige of wildlife photography and spreading awareness of the importance of conservation. This is reflected in the winning entries, which often spotlight critically-endangered species and vulnerable ecosystems.
All the winning entries since 2010 are available to browse on the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year microsite. Fair warning, this is an absolute goldmine for procrastinators, with thousands of incredible photographs to explore across categories like Animal Portraits, Plants and Fungi, and Oceans: The Bigger Picture.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025
This year's exhibition is extra-special, with the Natural History Museum celebrating 60 years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Discover it now at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington (it's here till 29 June).
Here you can embark on a visual adventure through enchanting environments and get unique insights into the wildlife that call them home. There are 100 images to explore, by pros and amateurs alike (the competition is open to all, with entries judged anonymously). Alongside spectacular photography, you'll encounter soundscapes and films that invite you to reflect on the diversity and beauty of life on Earth, and explore how we can protect it. Exhibitions don't get more thought-provoking — or awe-inspiring — than this.
Get your tickets to see Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the Natural History Museum now.
