Since 2009, BWPA has celebrated nature photography in the UK.

BWPA was founded in 2009 by Maggie Gowan, and grew into the greatly revered and treasured competition that it is today. As of 2022, the competition is now directed by photographer Will Nicholls.

Each year, the BWPA images are adored in the press (both in print and on TV), toured around the UK in a travelling exhibition, and published in our beautiful collection books.

Our competition has a number of key aims:

• Recognise the talents of photographers practising in the UK, whilst highlighting the great wealth and diversity of Britain’s natural history.

• Celebrate British wildlife and wild spaces through a collection of inspirational photographs.

• Showcase the very best of our nature photography to a wide audience and engage all ages with evocative and powerful imagery.

• Encourage discovery, exploration, conservation and enjoyment of our natural heritage.

• Raise awareness about British biodiversity, species, and habitats.