The Story: The 2025 Environmental Photography Awards honor photographers who use their art to raise awareness about critical environmental issues. Showcasing nearly 11,000 submissions, the awards encourage creativity in documenting the beauty of nature and the challenges it faces, with winners gaining exposure and funding opportunities through various categories.

The Details:

• With the 2025 awards encompassing five categories—Polar Wonders, Into the Forest, Ocean Worlds, Humanity versus Nature, and Change Makers—photographers highlight diverse environmental challenges through their work.

• The Grand Prize winner, Angel Fitor, captured "Unseen Unsung Heroes," showcasing the vital role played by polychaete worms in marine ecosystems, thus emphasizing the importance of often-overlooked sea creatures.

• Winners receive grants, with category winners awarded €1,000 each, while the Grand Prize winner secures €5,000; all winners gain exhibition opportunities in Monaco and beyond.

• A public award and student choice are also part of the competition, promoting community engagement and showcasing emerging talents.

• The jury, led by renowned professionals like National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale, ensures a high standard in technical and narrative excellence, valuing impactful storytelling.

Why It Matters: The Environmental Photography Awards serve a critical function by placing a lens on the pressing realities of our planet's ecological crises. For creative professionals, this recognition illustrates how visual storytelling can not only evoke emotion but also mobilize action and advocacy. As the world grapples with biodiversity loss and climate change, photographers emerge not simply as artists, but as vital communicators, persuading society to confront these issues earnestly and take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future.