20 Incredible Images From The 57th Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Contest
The 57th Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards brought together some of the most striking nature images of 2021, with winners announced live from London’s Natural History Museum on October 13. More than 50,000 entries arrived from photographers in 95 countries, making the final selection a serious challenge.
First launched by BBC Wildlife Magazine in 1965 under the name Animals, the contest later grew into the Wildlife Photographer of the Year after the Natural History Museum joined in 1984. Today, it celebrates wildlife, landscapes, and the unpredictable moments that make nature photography so compelling.
This year’s grand title went to French underwater photographer Laurent Ballesta for Creation, a dramatic shot of camouflage groupers releasing eggs and sperm in Fakarava, French Polynesia. Read on for a look at some of the standout winners and other unforgettable entries.
1. The Great Swim by Buddhilini De Soyza (Sri Lanka/Australia)
2. Storm Fox by Jonny Armstrong (USA)
3. Raw Moment by Lara Jackson (UK)
Lara Jackson captured this young lioness as she failed to make a clean kill and began eating a wildebeest while it was still alive. The beautiful creature stared at Lara as she held down her prey with a paw.
"She was already quite full," Lara said. "Probably after feeding the night before, but she seized the opportunity for an easy meal."
4. Mushroom Magic by Juergen Freund (Germany/Australia)
5. Lynx On The Threshold by Sergio Marijuán (Spain)
6. Lockdown Chicks by Gagana Mendis Wickramasinghe (Sri Lanka)
7. Apollo Landing by Emelin Dupieux (France)
Emelin Dupieux found himself surrounded by butterflies while on holiday in the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park on the French-Swiss border. This beautiful Apollo butterfly stopped for a rest on an oxeye daisy.
It was a dream come true for Emelin, who had always wanted to photograph an Apollo. The large mountain butterfly is one of Europe's most threatened species.
8. A Caring Hand by Douglas Gimesy (Australia)
If you loved Lara Jackson’s “Raw Moment” lioness, check out the 2026 British Wildlife Photography Awards too.
9. Up For Grabs by Jack Zhi (USA)
10. The Gripping End by Wei Fu (Thailand)
11. Beautiful Bloodsucker by Gil Wizen (Israel/Canada)
Gil Wizen says the best way to photograph a female ornamented mosquito is to let her bite you. These beautiful mosquitoes are only found in Latin America.
Only the females bite, as they need the blood to help produce eggs. When this one landed on Gil in central Ecuador, he didn't waste any time capturing the image.
12. Net Loss by Audun Rikardsen (Norway)
13. Toxic Design by Gheorghe Popa (Romania)
14. Deep Feelers by Laurent Ballesta (France)
15. Natural Magnetism by Jaime Culebras (Spain)
16. The Nurturing Wetland by Rakesh Pulapa (India)
17. Creation by Laurent Ballesta earned the underwater photographer the grand title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year
It was no easy task for Laurent to capture his winning image. The photographer and his team returned to this lagoon each year for five years and dived all day and night to avoid missing the annual July spawning.
Grey reef sharks joined them after dark as they hunted the groupers in packs. What an incredible sight!
18. Dome Home by 10-year-old Vidyun R Hebbar of India won him the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 prize
19. Elephant in the Room by Australian Adam Oswell won the Photojournalism category
20. Rich Reflections by Justin Gilligan won the Plants and Fungi category
The 58th Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest is currently open for entries. Contestants can submit up to 25 photos into the competition, which will close to submissions on December 9th.
The winning images from the WPOTY each year form a stunning exhibition open to all. The show premieres at the Natural History Museum before going on tour around the world.
The WPOTY exhibit will run from October 15th, 2021, to June 5th, 2022. Tickets can be purchased from £15.50.
I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what beautiful photos emerge from the next Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. What a stunning world we live in!
Want more wild action like the lioness eating her still-alive wildebeest, see the best underwater photos of 2026.
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