Nature provides remarkable experiences, from impressive wildlife interactions to subtle behaviors that often escape our notice. Photography can capture this beauty and also showcase the problems our planet encounters, alongside the efforts made for its conservation. The OurNature Environmental Photo & Video Award aims to highlight these themes by showcasing photographers and filmmakers who tell impactful stories about nature, preservation, and the connection between humanity and the environment. This award originated at the FotoKozma Outdoor Photography Festival and is supported by the Vértes Kozma Foundation, created by photographer Milan Radisics. Now in its third year, the competition in 2026 received over 2,100 submissions from 35 different countries.
Unlike typical nature photography contests, OurNature prioritizes environmental storytelling, recognizing not just stunning wildlife and landscape images but also those illustrating human effects on ecosystems and solutions to environmental issues. The goal is to raise awareness, spark discussions, and inspire positive changes through powerful visuals. Below are some selected winning and honorable mention photos from this year’s competition. View these impressive images, and share which ones stand out to you the most! More details can be found on ournatureaward.com or on their social media pages.
The contest included various categories, addressing different facets of nature and our interactions with it. The Pure Nature section has distinct parts for Water, Land, and Air, honoring wildlife and natural settings across these areas. Our Footprint examines the effects of humans on the environment, while Solutions features innovations and efforts to tackle environmental challenges. Additional categories include Carpathian Basin, Young Photographers, Photo Stories & Portfolios, and Video.
In the Pure Nature – Air category, a second-place entry titled “Eye On The Prize” by Vince Burton shows a barn owl diving toward the camera from its prey’s perspective. This image is part of an ongoing project capturing local barn owls at night, aiming to present the attack moment from a unique angle.
An honorable mention in the same category was awarded to Damian Kwasek for “The Attack,” which depicts a white-tailed eagle swooping down on a red fox in a rare wild encounter. The striking image captures an intense moment between both predators without any interference or bait.
In the Our Footprints category, Audun Rikardsen took first place with “Dinner Is Served!” This photo shows a humpback whale feeding next to a herring fishing boat during the polar night. The image illustrates both above and below the water’s surface, highlighting the natural gathering of Atlantic herring that attracts whales and orcas to Northern Norway. Rikardsen notes that while the fishing vessels provide easy access to food, they also pose risks to humpback whales, which can become entangled in nets, leading to injuries or drowning.
The Photo of the Year award went to Audun Rikardsen for his stunning image titled “A Seal’s Nightmare.” This photograph captures a polar bear peering directly into an underwater camera through a breathing hole in Arctic ice, offering a unique view of one of the most powerful predators of the region.
What do you think about these impactful photographs?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Tarik Velić