If you haven’t received a login code yet, it’s likely because your account is not fully registered or paid.

To receive your code:

1. Make sure you have created an account via the main Nature Photographer of the Year website (Enter Now).
2. Complete your registration and payment.
3. After payment, the system will automatically send you via e-mail your personal login code.

Only registered and paid participants will appear in the system and be able to log in to their dashboard.

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

• C1 Birds

• C2 Mammals

• C3 Other Animals

• C4 Plants and Fungi

• C5 Landscapes

• C6 Underwater

• C7 Natural Art

• C8 Humans and Nature

• C9 Black & White

• C10 Animal Portraits

• C11 Nature of “De Lage Landen”

Young Photographers

• C12 Youth (10-17 years)

Portfolio

• 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.

If you see an error when uploading your images in the Youth category, this is usually caused by an incorrect date of birth or account details. Please make sure that your correct date of birth is entered in your account.

If any details are incorrect, please contact us so we can update your account. Once corrected, you will be able to upload your images without issues.

The finalists will be revealed during the festive Award Ceremony at the Nature Talks Photo Festival on Saturday, November 14.

Getting started is easy: choose your entry type, complete your payment, and upload your photos directly in your personal dashboard.

All updates will be posted on your personal dashboard, so be sure to check it regularly.

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.

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. 

Yes, noise reduction is allowed — as long as it’s applied in moderation and the original character of the image is preserved.
You may use tools like Lightroom Classic Denoise, Topaz DeNoise AI, or similar software, but the result should remain natural. Overly smooth or artificial-looking images, or those that lose important detail, may be disqualified.

Please note: the jury has the final say in whether a photo meets our editing guidelines. We encourage subtle processing that supports the integrity of the photograph, rather than altering its essence.

No, multiple accounts are not allowed.

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.

The Youth contest is free to enter, while the adult competition requires an entry fee, which depends on the entry type you select.

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.

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.

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.

To add an additional category, please go to our website and select the extra entry you would like to purchase. After completing your payment, the new category will automatically be linked to your account, and you can start uploading your images.

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.

If your photo makes it through the first selection round, we will request the RAW file.

Yes, you will automatically receive an invoice once your payment has been completed.