The competition, in its 22nd year, is Australia’s most prestigious nature photographic contest, and this year attracted 1,864 images from 449 photographers in 18 countries.
Entries are accepted covering content from across the ANZANG bioregion – Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea.
Photographers submitted entries across 10 categories: Animals in Nature, Aerial, Macro, Landscape, Threatened Species, Monochrome, Our Impact, Astrophotography, Portfolio and Junior.
The winners will be revealed by video announcement on Thursday 28 August, and an exhibition featuring the 99 shortlisted images will open at the Museum on Saturday 30 August.
There will also be a People’s Choice award, announced in January.
The overall winner will receive $10,000; category winners will receive $1,500; while the Junior will take home $500.
The judges included Scott Portelli, who was the overall competition winner in 2021 and 2024, professional photographer David Stowe and ecologist and wildlife photographer Jasmine Vink.
The exhibition will run at the Museum until 1 February 2026.
More information on the exhibition can be found here.
Please contact media@samuseum.sa.gov.au for image requests.
Comments attributable to South Australian Museum Board Chair Professor Robert Saint AM
Like many of you, I look forward every year to the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.
It provides a remarkable window to the natural world and is a key reason why the South Australian Museum is considered one of the premier museums in the country.
The more we, as a community, see and learn about nature and all its glory, the better we are able to protect and sustain it.
I am sure that this exhibition will continue its tradition of opening our hearts, delighting and challenging our minds, and growing our love for nature.
Comments attributable to AGNPOTY judge Scott Portelli
This year revealed some exceptional talent and such a high calibre of work across such an eclectic range of genres.
It was truly an honour to be part of the process and see photographers rewarded for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the craft.
We have some of the most unique landscapes, wildlife, natural wonders and this competition brings out a positive message for conservation.
I am in awe of all the shortlisted photographers and their amazing work. Good luck.
Comments attributable to Australian Geographic Picture Editor Lyndal Irons
Australian Geographic has, for almost 40 years, been entwined in the evolution of the visual representation of our region’s natural world.
Each year we continue to be surprised and our perspective expanded by the work of nature photographers at the top of their game – and those who are rising through the ranks.
We are proud to again support AGNPOTY and the 2025 finalists who are setting the benchmark in this genre and inspiring others in the field.
