Photography competition 2023

Each Individual entrant can submit a maximum of four entries, distributed among the four categories. No single image may be entered into more than one category. Please ensure each image is no more than 10MB in size.

Entrants are required to provide their full name and email address. We request this personal data for the purpose of the administration of the photography competition. This data will be processed and stored in a secure manner and will only be kept for the duration of the Dorset Wildlife Trust Photography Competition 2023, unless stated otherwise. We will store the data of the winners in order to make contact and to facilitate the award of prizes.

Entrants under the age of 16 years need to have consent of a parent or guardian to enter, and must provide the email address of said parent or guardian.

All images submitted to the 2023 Photography Competition may be used by Dorset Wildlife Trust on their social media accounts, associated local, regional, national or international press releases and media, as well as on their website, publications, internal and external exhibitions associated with The Trust and future promotional materials to promote the Trust’s work. Copyright will always remain with the photographer and Dorset Wildlife Trust will make every reasonable effort to ensure that name credits of entrants are reproduced on images published in online and printed publications.

All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the responsibility of each entrant to ensure that any images they submit have been taken with the permission of the subject (where necessary) and do not infringe the copyright of any third party. Entrants must warrant that the photograph they are submitting is their own work and that they own the copyright for it.

The welfare of the wildlife subject is more important than the photograph itself. If entries are found to have evidence of undue disturbance or stress inflicted on wildlife in the process of taking the photograph, the entrant will be disqualified. Please avoid damaging habitat or disturbing wildlife in search of the perfect shot. 

Events may occur that render the competition impossible due to reasons beyond the control of Dorset Wildlife Trust and accordingly Dorset Wildlife Trust may at its absolute discretion vary or amend the promotion. The entrant must agree that no liability shall attach to Dorset Wildlife Trust as a result thereof.

All information detailing how to enter this competition forms part of these terms and conditions. It is a condition of entry that all rules are accepted as final and that the entrant agrees to abide by these rules.

Submission of an entry will be taken to mean acceptance of these terms and conditions.

If you have any problems uploading your images or you have any further questions about the Dorset Wildlife Trust Photography Competition 2023, please email us on comms@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserves 
We're looking for a photo taken on any of Dorset Wildlife Trust's scenic nature reserves capturing the beauty of a landscape or surroundings.

People in nature
A stunning photograph of people enjoying nature - ideally on one of our nature reserves! This could involve your partner appreciating a walk amongst wildflowers or children exploring the wonders of rock pooling. 

Wildlife in your garden/greenspace 
Does your garden pond host a bunch of amphibians? Do you own an allotment visited by curious robins? Or perhaps the container garden on your window ledge attracts beautiful butterflies! We want to see photos of nature thriving in your green space - no matter how big or small.

Wildlife in action
Whether it's a kestrel hovering in the sky, an adder basking in the summer sun or roe deer browsing at dusk, we want to see your most striking photos of wildlife doing what wildlife does best. 

Junior entrants
Please note that entrants aged 18 and under can submit their photo to any of the four categories above. However, these entrants will be judged as a separate 'junior' category, and one winner will be selected. Remember that entrants under the age of 16 years need to have consent of a parent or guardian to enter.

Our expert judging panel will consist of:

• Dorset Wildlife Trust President, Dr George McGavin
• Kingcombe Engagement Officer, Daisy Meadowcroft
• Two Young Journalists representing Dorset Local Nature Partnership and Dorset Wildlife Trust

All images will be anonymised when being judged by our panel.

The overall winner of the 2023 Photography Competition will receive a cosy two-night 'Wild Stay' in the Living Van, located at the stunning Kingcombe Meadows nature reserve. 

The three winners of each remaining category will then be ranked in second, third and fourth place and allocated the following prizes;

Second place: an Oregon WT version 8x32 from Opticron.

Third place: a £50 voucher to spend at Holme for Gardens.

Fourth place: a private tour of the Dorset Beaver Project site.

The winner selected from the junior category will receive a guided family tour of our exciting community rewilding project, Wild Woodbury.  

The runner-up photo from each of the four categories will also feature in the winter edition of our Dorset Wildlife magazine and on our photography competition page, alongside the winning photos, for all our members and supporters to enjoy.