The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2026—an international competition for humorous wildlife photography
Sometimes a single unexpected photograph can inspire a deeper emotional connection to nature than long documentaries or complex environmental campaigns. A surprised owl, a laughing seal, a falling bird or an awkward monkey can suddenly transform wildlife from something distant into a living world people genuinely want to connect with. This feeling lies at the heart of Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards — one of the world’s most recognisable international wildlife photography competitions, where humour becomes a way of speaking about nature, photography and attentiveness to the world around us.
Over the past years, the competition has grown into a true international phenomenon. The finalists’ photographs are published in major international media, go viral on social networks and travel through exhibitions around the world. At the same time, the competition remains remarkably open — a strong professional image matters just as much as the photographer’s ability to capture a truly vivid and emotionally alive moment.
What makes Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards special is that the competition values more than technical perfection alone. The organisers are looking for photographs with emotion, character, visual storytelling and an unexpected sense of human resonance within the animal world. That is precisely why many of the competition’s images become instantly memorable and continue to live far beyond the international photography community itself.
What participation offers
For many photographers, entering the competition becomes a first experience of international visibility. Finalists and winners receive publications, broad media coverage and the opportunity to appear in one of the world’s most recognised wildlife photography competitions.
The overall winner receives the title Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year and a week-long safari in Kenya for two from Alex Walker’s Serian — one of East Africa’s most renowned safari projects. The prize includes safari tours, accommodation, domestic flights within Kenya and visits to national parks.
Special prizes are also awarded to:
— participants under 16;
— young photographers under 25;
— winners of the video category;
— creators of the best wildlife portfolios;
— winners of the main competition categories.
Category winners also receive Nikon photography equipment, professional ThinkTANK camera backpacks and tools for creating their own portfolio website.
Importantly, the competition works with a truly massive international audience. Strong photographs often go viral and spread through international media far beyond the competition itself. For emerging photographers, this can become a genuine entry point into the international photography scene.
Who the competition is for
Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards is especially suited to:
— wildlife photographers;
— travellers and outdoor photographers;
— photographers capturing animals in unexpected situations;
— emerging photographers seeking international competition experience;
— creators working with visual storytelling and emotive photography;
— photographers focused on emotionally engaging and lively imagery.
Both professional photographers and amateurs are welcome to participate. The organisers emphasise that what matters most is not the cost of equipment, but the ability to capture a rare living moment and transform it into a powerful visual story.
Competition categories
The competition includes several thematic categories covering different types of wildlife photography. The following are judged separately:
— photographs of mammals;
— birds;
— fish and underwater life;
— reptiles, amphibians and insects.
In addition to the main categories, the competition also includes special categories:
— a portfolio category for visual series;
— a category for short wildlife videos;
— a category for young photographers under 25;
— a junior category for participants under 16.
Participants may submit up to 10 photographs and up to 2 video clips, each up to 15 seconds long.
Particularly interesting is the portfolio category, where the focus is not on a single image but on the photographer’s ability to build a visual series or tell a complete story through a sequence of photographs.
Important points to consider
The organisers take the ethics of photographing wildlife very seriously. If an animal is subjected to stress, harassment or harm during the creation of a photograph, the photographer may receive a lifetime ban from the competition.
The participation of domestic animals and animals kept in captivity is also prohibited. The competition accepts only photographs of wildlife.
Particular emphasis is placed on the prohibition of AI and excessive digital manipulation. Only basic image corrections that do not alter the integrity of the photograph are permitted. Finalists may be asked to provide RAW files and original images to verify the authenticity of their work.
This makes the competition especially valuable for photographers working with genuine documentary photography and real living moments, rather than artificially generated images.
The deadline for applications is 30 June 2026.
