Welcome to the NPOTY FAQ
Every year, the Nature Photographer of the Year (NPOTY) contest attracts thousands of passionate photographers from all around the world. With such a vibrant and diverse community, it’s only natural that a lot of questions come our way — from the technical to the practical, and everything in between.
To help you navigate the contest with ease, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions. Whether you’re a first-time entrant or a returning finalist, this section is designed to give you quick and clear answers.
Before reaching out to our team directly, we kindly ask you to take a moment to explore this FAQ section, as well as our Rules and Terms pages. Chances are, your question has already been answered — saving you time and helping us focus on running the contest as smoothly as possible.
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Don’t worry — our team is happy to assist you. Just drop us a message via the contact page. Let Nature Talk!

How can I enter the NPOTY contest?
Simply follow the steps on our homepage: register an account, select your entry type, pay the fee, and upload your photos.
What are the size requirements for my photos?
For the initial upload, your photos must be exactly 1920 pixels on the longest side. If you progress further in the competition, we will request both the edited and original raw files. The edited file must be at least 3000 pixels on the longest side, as it may be used for exhibition purposes.
How can I resize my photos to 1920 pixels?
For your first upload, make sure your photos are exactly 1920 pixels on the longest side. For detailed, step-by-step instructions on resizing your photos, visit our blog here.
Can I enter with more than one account?
No, multiple accounts are not allowed.
Can I participate with photos taken on my mobile phone?
Yes, you can enter the contest with mobile or smartphone photos, as long as you have a high-resolution image with at least 3000 pixels on the longest side. The image must be suitable for large-format printing (e.g. 80 x 120 cm) and must have Adobe RGB or sRGB color profiles.
Is there an entry fee for the competition?
The Youth contest is free to enter, while the adult competition requires an entry fee, which depends on the entry type you select.
What are the categories for the Nature Photographer of the Year contest?
The NPOTY contest features 12 categories for individual images (adults), one category for young photographers, and the Fred Hazelhoff Award for a portfolio.
Here are the available categories:
Adult Categories
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C1 Birds
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C2 Mammals
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C3 Other Animals
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C4 Plants and Fungi
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C5 Landscapes
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C6 Underwater
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C7 Natural Art
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C8 Humans and Nature
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C9 Black & White
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C10 Animal Portraits
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C11 Nature of “De Lage Landen”
Young Photographers
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C12 Youth (10-17 years)
Portfolio
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C13 Fred Hazelhoff Award (Portfolio)
You can choose one or more categories for your entries, but each photo can only be submitted to one category. The Fred Hazelhoff Award allows photos to be submitted to additional categories as well.
What does the Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio category involve?
The Fred Hazelhoff Award is for photographers who submit a cohesive portfolio consisting of at least 6 and no more than 10 images, which can be connected through subject matter or the photographer’s style.
Can I submit multiple photos in one category?
Yes, you can submit multiple photos in one category if you wish. There is no requirement to select the same category for all your photos, or to submit one photo to each category. Also, black & white images are allowed in all categories.
Can I submit the same photo to multiple categories?
No, each photo can only be submitted to one category, except for The Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award. However, photos entered in the Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award can also be submitted to other categories.
I have paid for the standard category, but I would also like to submit a portfolio (or I’ve only registered for the portfolio category but now want to enter the standard category). What should I do?
You have two options:
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Register with a different email address
Sign up again for the portfolio category using a different email address. Once you’ve done this, email us and we will send you a payment link for the price difference. After payment is completed, we will activate your account. -
Delete your existing account and register again
We can delete your “standard” account, and you can then register again for both the standard and portfolio categories. You won’t need to pay for the accounts again. After you’ve registered, email us, and we will send you a payment link for the price difference. Once payment is received, we will activate your account.
Can I submit the same images to other contests?
Yes, you can enter the same images into other contests at the same time, as long as they have not yet won a prize in a prestigious international competition or been repeatedly published in leading nature or wildlife magazines. The jury will make the final decision on eligibility.
How will I be updated on whether I’ve advanced to the next round?
All updates will be posted in your dashboard, so make sure to check it regularly.
When will I be asked to submit RAW and high-resolution files?
If your photo makes it through the first selection round, we will request the RAW file. This is expected to happen around the week of June 23.
When will the finalists be announced for the 2025 contest?
The finalists will be revealed during the festive Award Ceremony at the Nature Talks Photo Festival on Saturday, November 15.
Can I receive an invoice?
No, we do not issue invoices. We recommend taking a screenshot of your payment for your records. For accounting purposes, you can also keep a copy of your credit card statement or PayPal transaction details.
Entrance fee: €31 (early bird), €34 after May 11
Upload maximum 20 Images in all categories from C1 to C11
Entrance fee: €16 (early bird), €17,50 after May 11
Upload max 10 photos in Category C13, for the Fred Hazelhoff Portfolio Award
Entrance fee: €45 (early bird), €49,50 after May 11
Upload max 20 Images in Categories C1 to C11 + Upload max 10 images to Category C13

No entrance fee.
Max 5 images can be uploaded to Category C12. Young photographers between 10-17 years can enter this contest
NPOTY 2025 will close 25th of May 23:59 CET (Amsterdam)
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