Bee on rosebay willowherb © Cara Ennis
Photography competition 2025
Entries are now open! Use this page to enter your photos today.
Whether you use a camera or a mobile phone, photography is a great way to capture a moment and to get outside and connect with nature.
When you enter, you have the chance to have your photo featured on our social media, 2026 calendar, and more! The GWT 2025 calendar featured some of your amazing finalist photos from last year's competition.
The GWT photography competition this year is split into mobile entries and camera entries, after trialling this last year for the first time. We know that not everybody owns a camera, but we want everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy nature as part of this competition.
As part of your camera or mobile entry, you can submit up to three photos in three categories; urban wildlife, wild places, and species spotlight, and you can find out more about each category below.
The deadline for entries is Thursday 31 July at midnight.
Wildlife photography best practices
Be careful with using flash
Lots of cameras and phones will automatically turn flash on when the light conditions decrease, so be mindful of this before taking photos. Wildlife can be very sensitive to light, and many can be scared or even temporarily blinded by the sudden flash of light. If the light conditions aren’t good, a night vision camera is your best bet.
Be mindful of where you are walking
It is best to stick to designated paths or tracks when out on our reserves to minimise any damage to habitats or disturbing wildlife that are used to no footfall in their patch.
Keep a low profile
Keep your distance and don't get too close - this is especially important when the wildlife you are photographing has any young with them.
Are you photographing a protected species?
If you are looking to photograph and specific species, look up its protected status before heading out. There are laws that protect certain species, disturbing them during breeding seasons can impact their success rate of raising young and can be seen as a criminal offence.
Don't use lures
Avoid use food to bait wildlife into coming closer, playing calls to birds, or similar behaviour. Just be patient and quiet and the wildlife will come to you!
Remember, the welfare of the wildlife should come first.
Find out more about each category
Urban wildlife
Whether it's a fox in your street, or a plant that is pioneering a new home on a wall, get inspired by the wildlife on your doorstep with this category. This is your chance to show off the birds, insects, plants and other wildlife that live in Gloucestershire's towns and cities.
Wild places
Snap a special moment exploring Gloucestershire's wild places in this landscape category, from the rolling hills of the Cotswolds to the ancient woods in the Forest of Dean.
Species spotlight
Set your focus on one species for this category, putting your favourite animal or plant in the spotlight. Encapsulate a special encounter or a new find within your photo, sharing some of the wonderful wildlife that shares this county.
