Prizes and publication are up for grabs in a wildlife photography contest run by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

The Trust has launched its annual wildlife photography competition, Wild Snaps, and is encouraging amateur photographers of all ages to enter photos they feel best capture the region’s wildlife and landscapes, and the nature we have on our doorstep.

The competition, now in its fourth year, was set up to celebrate the beauty, variety and strength of the wildlife and habitats in the region, and to help people connect with nature. This year, there will be prizes for photos taken with smartphones as well as cameras, a decision the Trust hopes will open up the competition to all ages. Photos could be taken in your garden and outdoor spaces, on a walk, exploring a nature reserve or a special place where your favourite species can be found.

Wild Snaps is open for entries until Sunday 17 September. An expert judging panel will decide on the best 30 images entered, and then it's over to the public to vote and decide on the winning photos. All 30 shortlisted photographs will be showcased in an online gallery on the Trust’s website. 

The panel of judges includes: Louise Turner, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who heads up the features department at Channel 4 News, Tom Hanner, an award-winning wildlife filmmaker and photographer who has worked with National Geographic and the BBC Natural History Unit, Jeanette Lendon of Jet Black Squares, a professional photographer who has hung up her long lens and now champions smartphone photography across the UK, together with the Trust’s Conservation Manager, Tim Hill, a keen photographer who has contributed many of his photos to a wide range of Trust publications over the past 20 years.

The winning images will feature in Wildlife Matters, The Trust’s membership magazine. Additionally, prizes will be awarded to adults and under-18s, including wildlife watching equipment, donated by competition sponsors, Opticron, Smartphone Photography Workshops courtesy of Jet Black Squares, and sustainable gifts from Tommy & Lottie.

Tim Hill, Conservation Manager at Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and Chair of the Wild Snaps judging panel said:

“Photography is a great way to connect with wildlife as it makes us look more closely at what is around us and puts in to focus the beauty that exists in nature. Peering through a viewfinder trying to capture those perfect moments in nature is a wonderfully mindful activity and can be a real tonic to our wellbeing. Capturing the exquisiteness of animals and plants also raises awareness of its fragility and how important conserving wildlife is at all levels, which supports our strategy of 30% of land protected or managed for wildlife by 2030.

“In previous years, we have seen some tremendous photographs of wildlife and wild places across Hertfordshire and Middlesex. The judges look forward to seeing this year’s response and fully expect to be treated to the sight of some stunning images!”

Wild Snaps competition is open for entries until Sunday 17 September and the winners will be announced in mid-October.  Entries can be submitted via the Trust’s website here:

https://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/wild-snaps-photography-competition-2023