Nature Photographer of the Year 2026 (NPOTY)
Run by the Dutch organisation Nature Talks, NPOTY is one of the larger pan-European nature photography contests, with a €25,000 prize pool distributed across categories and a touring exhibition through the Netherlands and Belgium. The 2026 rules ban AI-generated and computer-rendered imagery outright, and prohibit excessive manipulation or any addition or removal of elements. The free Youth category and lower-cost portfolio fee make NPOTY a relatively accessible entry point compared to the highest-prestige wildlife contests.
- Deadline
- June 8, 2026
- Entry fee
- €35 standard (€32 early bird); €17.50 portfolio; free for youth category
- Results
- November 14, 2026
Authenticity policy
AI policy
AI-generated or computer-rendered photos are not allowed, and excessive manipulation or adding/removing elements is prohibited.
RAW files
Not specified
Editing rules
Pets, captive animals (except in Category 8 — the 'Black & White' track historically permitted captives), and cultivated plants are not permitted. Up to 20 images in standard categories, up to 5 in youth, and 6–10 in portfolio.
Verified on June 8, 2026