Wildlife Photography Competition V2 Winners

Announcing the Winners of

Wildlife Photography Competition

2026

Celebrating Stories of Nature Through the Lens

The wait is finally over!

After careful evaluation and thoughtful deliberation, we are delighted to announce the results of the Mother’s Day Nature Photography Competition 2026.

This year, the competition witnessed its largest participation yet, bringing together photographers from 22 states across India and 6 countries, making it one of the most diverse editions of the competition to date. From seasoned wildlife photographers to passionate nature enthusiasts, participants shared extraordinary stories from forests, grasslands, wetlands, mountains, coastlines, and urban landscapes.

The competition was built around two themes that lie at the heart of modern conservation: Eye of Nature and Co-existence.

Through these themes, participants were challenged not only to create visually compelling photographs but also to document authentic moments from the natural world, revealing the intricate relationships between wildlife, ecosystems, and human communities.

The quality of submissions was truly exceptional. The entries transported us across India’s remarkable biodiversity from the deserts of Kutch and the floodplains of Kaziranga to the Western Ghats, the Himalayan landscapes, and countless lesser-known ecosystems that continue to support an extraordinary variety of life. This year also brought perspectives from beyond India’s borders, enriching the competition with stories and experiences from different parts of the world.

The judging process was guided not only by photographic excellence but also by authenticity, ecological significance, natural behaviour, storytelling, and relevance to the theme. Particular appreciation was given to photographs that documented genuine moments in the wild and highlighted important conservation narratives. This year, particular emphasis was placed on photographs that carried a meaningful conservation message and documented authentic moments from the natural world.

With so many outstanding submissions, selecting the final photographs was no easy task. Rather than ranking entries as first, second, and third place, we chose to recognise the strongest photographs in each category as Champions, celebrating different forms of excellence in nature photography. In addition, a number of exceptional entries have been recognised as Honourable Mentions for their remarkable contribution to the competition.

To every participant who shared their vision, passion, and dedication with us thank you. Your photographs remind us why nature matters and why its stories deserve to be seen, shared, and protected.

Competition organised by Secure Nature and sponsored by Mahim Pandhi Wildlife Foundation.

Champions are here

After much deliberation, we are delighted to present photographers whose images resonated most deeply with our jury, showcasing exceptional skill, creativity, rarity and a powerful message to nature:

Eye of the Nature

After careful evaluation by our jury, we are delighted to present the Champions of the Eye of Nature category. These photographs stood out not only for their visual appeal but also for their ability to reveal unique moments, behaviours, and perspectives from the natural world. Each image offers a powerful reminder that nature’s stories are often told through a single glance.

Congratulations to all our Champions! Your photographs have successfully captured the spirit of the theme and demonstrated the power of wildlife photography to inspire curiosity, appreciation, and conservation.

Champions will be contacted shortly regarding the prize distribution process.

Jury's Comments

Desperate Eyes – Jury’s Comment:
A beautifully timed moment capturing the drama of survival and instinct. The interaction between the two bee-eaters creates a compelling story where a single glance speaks louder than words.

Eye for Eye – Jury’s Comment:
An extraordinary alignment of predator and prey that creates a striking visual narrative. The photograph masterfully captures a fleeting moment where two worlds briefly intersect.

Ghost’s Eye – Jury’s Comment:
Simple yet captivating, this intimate portrait of a ghost crab highlights the beauty often hidden in plain sight. The image invites viewers to appreciate the fascinating details of a lesser-noticed creature.

Co-Existence

Co-existence is one of conservation’s greatest challenges and greatest hopes. The photographs selected as Champions in this category illustrate the complex relationship between people and wildlife, reminding us that the future of conservation depends on finding ways to share landscapes, resources, and ecosystems with the countless species that call them home.

Congratulations to all our Champions! Through their photographs, these photographers have captured not only remarkable moments but also important conservation stories that encourage us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world.

Champions will be contacted shortly regarding the prize distribution process.

Jury's Comments

Forest Path -Jury’s Comment:
A simple yet powerful composition that captures a quiet encounter between human presence and wildlife. The image reminds us that coexistence often happens in subtle moments, along paths where nature and people continue to share the same space.

Wolf Pack and Machine – Jury’s Comment:
A thought-provoking photograph that contrasts a wild wolf pack against the backdrop of human activity. The image raises important questions about habitat, development, and the delicate balance required for wildlife and people to coexist.

River of Shared Lives -Jury’s Comment:
This photograph beautifully captures the essence of coexistence. The endangered Gangetic Dolphin surfaces in a river that also sustains the lives of local fishers, illustrating how both wildlife and people depend on the same ecosystem. The image goes beyond a simple wildlife sighting; it tells a story of shared resources, shared challenges, and a shared future. It reminds us that successful conservation is not only about protecting species, but also about ensuring that rivers continue to support the communities that have lived alongside them for generations.

Honourable Mention

The following five images per theme stood out for their exceptional quality, artistic merit, and conservation message. We are honored to recognise these talented photographers as our Honourable Mentions:

Eye of the Nature

Co-Existence

Few words from juries of the Contest

Dr. Brinky Desai

Chief Scientist at the Mahim Pandhi Wildlife Foundation

She is a wildlife researcher, conservationist, and crocodilian specialist whose work focuses on the ecology, behavior, physiology, and conservation of Mugger crocodiles across India.

Serving as a juror for the Wildlife Photography Competition was a deeply moving experience.

This was an amazing one, grateful to secure nature for the opportunity.

Each frame carried the weight of hours spent in silence, waiting for nature to reveal itself. From forests to grasslands to water bodies, the diversity of India’s wild soul shone through every submission.

The love photographers poured into their craft was visible in every single shot. Truly grateful to have witnessed such raw, beautiful storytelling through a lens.

Winod Maheshwari

Cinematographer of award winning Documentary, Key founding stone of Secure Nature

The diversity of submissions was truly remarkable, reflecting the incredible richness of biodiversity across India and beyond. Selecting the champions was not an easy task, and many deserving photographs made the final discussions highly competitive.

I would like to thank every participant for sharing their work with us. Your patience, dedication, and love for nature were evident in every frame. More importantly, your photographs help inspire appreciation for the natural world and the need to protect it for future generations.

Thank you for Sponsoring

Some of random entries of the contest

We were truly overwhelmed by the incredible diversity and beauty captured in all the entries we received. To showcase the collective talent and passion of our participants, we are delighted to present a gallery featuring a selection of the submitted photographs. Prepare to be inspired!

Announcing the Winners of