Anytime Photo Contest Credits
$15.00
A new theme every month. Three skill levels. Three winners. You compete against photographers at your level, not everyone at once. Winners receive $500 cash and publication in the Journal. Blind judging. Full copyright stays with you. No rights grabs.
Wildlife Photography Contest
How It Works
Simple entry. Honest judging. Real prizes.
Select your skill level
Choose Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. You only compete against photographers at your level, so everyone has a fair shot at winning.
Submit your best wildlife photo(s)
Upload the image(s) that fits this month's theme. Wildlife in a natural setting — no staged or captive animals. That's it.
Professional judges review every image
World-renowned wildlife photographers evaluate each submission on its own merit. They don't see your name — just your photograph.
Winners announced. Prizes paid. Photos published.
One winner per skill level receives $500. Winning images are published in the Journal of Wildlife Photography — seen by thousands of fellow photographers around the world.
What You Should Know
Your photos are yours. Period.
You keep full copyright
Your work is actually seen
Real judges. Blind judging.
Three Skill Levels
Compete at your level
What We're Looking For
Show Us Intentional Photography
Depth and definition
Clear separation between subject and environment.
We’re looking for images where form is easy to read, with detail that holds up across the frame. Whether bright or dark, tones should feel controlled, not flat or muddy.
Intentional use of light
Light should shape the subject, not compete with it.
The strongest images use light with purpose — guiding the viewer’s eye, revealing form, and supporting the mood without overpowering the scene.
Mood and impact
An image should create a reaction, not just show a subject.
We’re drawn to photographs that feel immersive — where light, timing, and composition work together to create something memorable.
Control and precision
Technical execution matters.
Focus, exposure, and timing should support the image, not distract from it. Details should be preserved where needed, and highlights should feel intentional, not accidental.
Visual storytelling
The best images go beyond documentation.
We’re looking for moments where behavior, environment, and composition come together to tell a clear story — something that holds attention and invites a second look.
Important Guidelines
Your image must feature wildlife in a natural setting
No staged or captive animals will be accepted
Ethical field practices are required
Keep post-processing minimal and natural
The Judges
Judged by world-renowned wildlife photographers
Each month, we bring in respected wildlife photographers to judge the contest. They evaluate every single entry — no shortcuts, no automation. Names are hidden during judging, so the only thing that matters is the image in front of them.
This is a photography contest run by photographers, for photographers.
Common Questions
Everything you may want to know about the contest
What exactly do I get?
What exactly do I get?
You get entry into our monthly wildlife photo contest for a chance to win $500 and have your work judged against photographers at your skill level. You’ll also get access to live image critiques, expert-led training, and a full library of resources to help you improve each month.
What happens to my photo after the contest?
What happens to my photo after the contest?
How do I know the judging is fair?
How do I know the judging is fair?
Is this contest legitimate?
Is this contest legitimate?
The Journal of Wildlife Photography has a community of over 20,000 members and has been running monthly contests with real winners and real cash prizes for years. You can see past winners and their published work on our website. We pay out prizes promptly and have a track record you can check.
Can I submit more than one photo?
Can I submit more than one photo?
Yes, absolutely. An Annual Plus Plan gives you 5 free contest entries per month. Lifetime gives you 10 free entries per month. You can also purchase additional photo contest credits.
What are the image requirements?
What are the image requirements?
What is the deadline?
What is the deadline?
What's the difference between Annual Plus and Lifetime?
What's the difference between Annual Plus and Lifetime?
Both memberships include the same features: live trainings, contests, critiques, the magazine, the archive, and the community. The difference is duration and contest entries. Annual Plus gives you 5 free contest entries per month. Lifetime gives you 10 free entries per month, plus 15% off all future purchases. It is a one-time payment and you never pay again.
Past Winners
See who's won before — and where their work ended up
Every month, three photographers walk away with $500 and a publication credit in the Journal of Wildlife Photography. These aren’t stock photos sitting in a folder. They’re images that were seen, celebrated, and shared across a community of over 70,000+ wildlife photographers. Here are some of the people who entered, won, and got their work in front of the right audience.
Testimonials
Don't take our word for it.
We could tell you the contest is fair, the prizes are real, and the experience is worth it. But you’d probably rather hear it from photographers who’ve actually been through it.