Rules for entering the Nordic Nature Photo Contest 2026
(For norsk versjon, trykk her)
Rules for the Nordic Nature Photo Contest 2026. It is the responsibility of the entrants to acquaint themselves with the contest rules before paying the entry fee and submitting images. All entries not complying with the contest rules will be excluded from the contest. The entrance fee will not be refunded.
1. About the contest: The contest is owned and run by Visuell Natur, the publishers of the Natur&Foto Magazine.
2. Participation: Registration at www.nnpc.no, click here. Registration is free of charge and anyone can participate, except for people who have personal relations or employment conditions connected to the organiser. When you are registered you can pay an entrance fee of NOK 400 for this year's contest. If you are under the age of 18, you can enter the contest for the "Young Nordic Nature Photographer of the Year". This contest is free of charge.
3. Nordic images: The Nordic Nature Photo Contest is a competition focusing on Nordic light, wildlife and magnificent landscapes. With the exception of the category Travel Photo and Natur&Foto Image of the year, all images must be taken in one of the Nordic countries, Norway (Svalbard/Spitsbergen), Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark (including the Faeroe Islands and Greenland).
4. Travel Photo: We have introduced a separate category called Travel Photo for the nature photographer who likes to travel. A portfolio of six images from a specific travel destination anywhere in the world is submitted. The images must be shot on one and the same trip. The images in the portfolio should have a common theme.
5. You cannot enter images which have previously received awards in major photo competitions.
6. Image Rights: Natur&Foto reserves the right to use prize-winning/commended images gratuitously in the contest's official exhibition, in the book issued in connection with the contest, on Natur&Foto's websites and in all promotion of the contest, including the presentation of the winning images in the Natur&Foto Magazine. In return, all winners will receive a prize as well as the contest's year book containing many of the winning images. Usage exceeding this is remunerated by agreement.
7. Number of entered images: A maximum of five images can be uploaded in each category except for "Young Nordic Nature Photographer of the Year" where a portfolio of six images must be uploaded and in the category "Travel Photo" where a portfolio of six images must be uploaded.
8. The images must be shot within the last three years calculated from the contest's closing date for uploading.
9. Guidelines for Digital Image Editing
Format: Only digital photos can be entered. The file size uploaded for judging by the judging panel must be 1400 pixels on the longest side, maximum 1.5 MB.
The camera's best resolution is to be used, the images can be cropped, but should be at least 2300x3600 pixels, about A4 size.
Image Adjustment: Images should be as true to nature as at the time of being shot. Information about montage (fusing of several images, HDR, stitching), multiple exposures and double exposure, and any major changes made in Photoshop must be given. Removing or adding elements of nature, for example, animals, parts of animals, plants, clouds, snowy weather etc. is not allowed.
File information: The image must contain the photographer's name and telephone number.
10a. Filename: The filename will be change to something random when uploading. Therefor it is not important what you have named the file before the upload. But normaly it is good to avoid special characters and Norwegian characters.
10b. Image Title: The image title should be a very short description of the picture. This title will also be used later on in case of awards. This title can be also be changed later on.
11. Create a descriptive image information. Information about the image must be entered in the Description window which appears while the image is being uploaded. The text here can be edited up until the contest closes. The window will appear when you click on the image title. Then select Edit in the menu which appears under the image.
12. The original image file must be made available to the judging panel or the Natur&Foto Editorial on request.
13. Ethics: Images of animals/birds tamed or in captivity cannot be entered. If the judging panel receives information that important ethical rules have been broken during the shooting of an image, for example, unnecessary disturbance or destruction of nature, it can disqualify the entrant and the submitted work. If this information is discovered after judging is completed, the photographer will lose the title and must return the prize. The exception is the category "Threatened Nature", where the images can include tame animals or animals in captivity.
How to enter
In order to participate in the Nordic Nature Photo Contest you must register. During registration you must accept the rules of the contest.
Registration is free of charge and is done here.
Your user account can also be used for subsequent contests. When you are registered, you must pay an entrance fee of NOK 400 to access the contest. We use PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account, but can pay in the usual way with your bank card. When the entrance fee is paid, you can log on and begin to upload images in the various categories. You can enter a contest by going to the menu «The contest» -> «Participate».
Note that the category is selected after the image is uploaded. The contest will remain open for entries until 15. of November 2025 (midnight).
During this period you can move, delete and submit new images. When the submission period is over, you will still be able to see your images, but you will not be able to make any changes.
The images must be marked as follows.
Filename: The filename will be change to something random when uploading. Therefor it is not important what you have named the file before the upload. But normaly it is good to avoid special characters and Norwegian characters.
Image Title: The image title should be a very short description of the picture. This title will also be used later on in case of awards. This title can be also be changed later on.
Description: Information must be entered in the Description window which appears while the image is being uploaded. This text can be edited up until the contest closes. The window will appear when you click on the image title. Then select Edit in the menu which appears under the image. Information about montage (fusing of several images, HDR, stitching), multiple exposures and double exposure must be given. The description can also be changed later on.
Categories and Prizes NNPC 2026
MAIN SPONSOR: NORDIC NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
MAIN SPONSOR: OLTEPESI TENTED SAFARI CAMP
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is the main sponsor of the winner of NNPC 2026. The grand prize is an 8-day photo safari for 2 people during January-June in Maasai Mara, Kenya, at Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp. The prize includes a private, custom-modified Landcruiser for wildlife photography with the possibility of a low-angle shooting position, a Maasai guide and driver, national park fees, accommodation in a private safari tent, all meals with drinks, and round-trip flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Maasai Mara including extra luggage allowance. Total value: NOK 80 000.
About Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is located in Maasai Mara, Kenya, and was established in 2017 by wildlife photographer Arnfinn Johansen and Maasai guide John Siololo, also known as Big John. The camp was created to meet the needs of professional wildlife photographers and photo enthusiasts, and the guides at the camp have many years of experience working with demanding nature photographers. With the best guides and specially modified Landcruisers for photography - offering both excellent visibility and the ability to shoot from a low perspective - guests enjoy extraordinary wildlife experiences and first-class photographs. Full-day safaris are offered, with both breakfast and lunch served on the savannah. This allows guests to photograph in the very best light, including at sunrise and sunset. Dinner is served at the camp in the evening.
At the camp, guests stay comfortably in new and spacious safari tents. These are like “hotel rooms on the savannah,” each with a private bathroom with shower, sink, and flush toilet. The camp is located in Oltepesi Village, which is in fact a genuine Maasai village. This also gives guests a unique opportunity to experience the rich traditions of Maasai culture. For those who wish, it is even possible to spend a night in an authentic Maasai hut. And of course, guests are free to photograph and film as much as they like - here, you can feel at home without needing to ask first.
www.oltepesi.com / www.arnfinnjohansen.com
SPONSOR: YOUNG NORDIC NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Sony is this year’s sponsor for the category «Young Nordic Wildlife Photographer of the Year» with nearby NOK 30.000,-.
1st Prize: 1 DSC-RX10M4. Product information: https://www.sony.no/electronics/cyber-shot-kompaktkameraer/dsc-rx10m4
2nd Prize: WH-1000XM4. Product information: https://www.sony.no/electronics/hodeband-hodetelefoner/wh-1000xm4
3rd Prize: WH-1000XM4. Product information: https://www.sony.no/electronics/hodeband-hodetelefoner/wh-1000xm4
SPONSOR: NATUR&FOTO BILDE OF THE YEAR
Natur&Foto is sponsor for the category «Natur&Foto Image of the Year» with NOK 12 500,-.
This is a new category. Everyone who has joined Natur&Foto on a photo tour somewhere in the world can participate here. You may submit a total of 5 images.
The images in this category cannot win the overall competition. You may submit photos from tours carried out in 2024–2026.
1st Prize: Gift Voucher on Natur&Fotoreise på kr 10 000,-
2nd Prize: Gift Voucher on Natur&Fotoreise på kr 2 500,-
3rd Prize: Gift Voucher on Natur&Fotoreise på kr 1 000,-
SPONSOR: NORDIC TOUR IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Brynje is this year’s sponsor for the category «Nordic Tour Image of the Year» with NOK 11 300,-
1st Prize: Expedition jacket verdi NOK 7000,-
2nd Prize: Polar jacket verdi NOK 2400,-
3rd Prize: Arctic Zip polo shirt verdi NOK 1900,-
SPONSOR: NORDIC BIRD IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Stavanger Foto sponsors «Nordic Bird Image of the Year» with NOK 13 500,-
1st Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 10 000,-,
2nd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 2 500,-,
3rd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 1 000,-,
SPONSOR: NORDIC ANIMAL IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Cewe Japan Photo sponsors «Nordic Animal Image of the year» with NOK 13 500,-
We are expanding the category “Nordic Mammal Image of the Year” to also include fish, reptiles, and amphibians, as these groups have not had a category until now. In addition, there are too few entries for these animal groups to have their own categories. Therefore, we have changed the category to “Nordic Animal Image of the Year.”
1st Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 10 000,-,
2nd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 2 500,-,
3rd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 1 000,-,
SPONSOR: NORID LANDSCAPE IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Nikon is this year’s sponsor for the category «Nordic Landscape Image of the Year» with NOK 20.000.
1st Prize: not decided
2nd Prize: not decided
3rd Prize: not decided
SPONSOR: NORDIC CLOSE-UP IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Foto.no i Oslo sponsors «Nordic Close-up Image of the Year» with NOK 13 500,-.
1st Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 10 000,-,
2nd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 2 500,-,
3rd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 1 000,-,
SPONSOR: CREATIVE NATURE IMAGE OF THE YEAR
Åkset Naturfoto is this year’s sponsor for the category «Creative Nature Image of the Year» with NOK 23 400,-
1st Prize: 6 days in hide NOK 10 800,-
2nd Prize: 4 days in hide NOK 7 200,-
3rd Prize: 2 days in hide NOK 5 400,-
SPONSOR: THREATENED NATURE
WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) sponsors «Threatened Nature» with NOK 5 000,-.
1st Prize: kr, 5000,- plus a Goodie Bag and one year’s membership in WWF.
2nd Prize: Goodiebag from WWF.
3rd Prize: Goodibag from WWF.
SPONSOR: BEST PORTOFOLIO OF THE YEAR
Wildlife safaris Finland sponsors «Best Portfolio of the Year» with NOK 17 500,-
The photo travel is replaced by a “Portfolio Category”. Here, participants may submit a series of 6 images showing a varied selection of, for example, a species, landscape, environmental issue, or another theme. It is important that the images are connected to each other and that each individual image is strong. A weak image in an otherwise strong series may prevent the portfolio from being awarded.
The images may be taken anywhere in the world. Photos in this category cannot win the overall competition.
1st Prize: Travel 4 night with shelter with wolf, brown bear, wolvering NOK 14 500,-.
2nd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 2 000,- Gift card from Natur&Foto
3rd Prize: Gift Voucher NOK 1 000,-.Gift card from Natur&Foto
All entries will be assessed by a jury consisting of professional nature photographers from Norway and other countries.
*) We reserve all the rights to change the gift list and correct optionally any type errors
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