Bringing together photographers from around the world, The Nature Photography Contest showcases images that celebrate the extraordinary beauty of our planet while highlighting the urgent need to protect it. With close to 500 participants in the latest competition, the contest continues to grow as a global platform where art and environmental awareness come together. Offering a compelling visual journey across ecosystems, species and the delicate balance that sustains life on Earth, let’s take a look at the winners…
Photography of the Year 2025: Please Spare Our Home by Thomas Vijayan
The prestigious Photography of the Year 2025 award, along with a €1000 prize, has been awarded to Thomas Vijayan from Oakville, Canada, for his deeply moving photograph “Please Spare Our Home”.
In this striking image, a mature orangutan sits surrounded by the remnants of its devastated habitat, with uprooted vegetation, broken trunks and exposed earth defining the scene. Captured from a low angle, the animal’s imposing presence contrasts with the vulnerability conveyed through its posture and gaze. With arms extended and eyes lifted, the orangutan seems to confront the viewer directly, embodying both dignity and a silent plea.
The photograph goes beyond wildlife photography to become a powerful visual statement on deforestation and habitat loss. It reflects the consequences of human activity while reminding us of our shared responsibility toward the species that inhabit our planet.
This recognition further strengthens Thomas Vijayan’s presence in the contest, having been awarded Photographer of the Year in 2024, and confirms his ongoing commitment to environmental storytelling through photography.
Photographer of the Year: Angela J Sanchez
The title of Photographer of the Year 2025 has been awarded to Angela J Sanchez from Lilburn, Georgia, in the United States, whose body of work stood out for its versatility, sensitivity and strong visual coherence.
Rather than a single image, this recognition highlights a collection that explores different aspects of the natural world, from underwater encounters to intimate wildlife scenes on land. Her work demonstrates a remarkable ability to adapt to different environments while maintaining a consistent visual language.
The featured image “Mobula Rocket” reflects this approach, capturing a fleeting natural moment with clarity and precision. Across her submissions, Sanchez showed a deep connection with her subjects, combining technical skill with a strong sense of timing and composition.
As part of this recognition, she will select the location where approximately 500 trees will be planted, one for each participant, in collaboration with One Tree Planted. This initiative reflects the contest’s commitment not only to showcasing nature, but also to actively contributing to its preservation.
More winners:
Photographers have also been recognised across 10 categories, including Wildlife, Macro, Birds, and Plant Life, sharing the diversity of the natural world, from its most breathtaking moments to the challenges it currently faces, offering a broad and meaningful perspective through the eyes of photographers from different parts of the world.
Find out more about the competition here.
Related reading:
- These fantastic wildlife photos by this young photographer document life in our fragile ecosystems
- Photographers around the world recognised in the Sony World Photography Awards
- I spent a decade underwater to capture these beautifully surreal seascapes
- See the incredible travel portrait that beat over 14,500 other entries in this major competition
