Asmund Keilen of Norway takes prime Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 prize

“At first glance, this mesmerising image appears to depict leaves adrift in a cosmic sky – but on closer look, each shape reveals itself as a bird in graceful flight,” mentioned judges’ chairman Tin Man Lee.

“With its ethereal colours, perfect balance, and otherworldly atmosphere, the image evokes a dreamlike sense of wonder that feels both universal and timeless.”

Keilin’s {photograph} was chosen from a record-breaking 24,781 entries from photographers in over 96 nations on this yr’s competitors, introduced on the Nature Talks Photo Festival in Amsterdam earlier this month.

Winners have been additionally chosen throughout 13 particular person classes, with Keilin additionally taking out the Birds part.

“Every photo competition brings its own challenges, and some categories spark more debate than others,” jury member Kristel Schneider mentioned.

“This year, our discussions touched on impact, originality, and the very definition of nature photography. I’m delighted that many winners this year pushed boundaries – through creative vision, innovative technique, or the courage to show nature from a fresh perspective.”

The Nature Photographer of the Year competitors is organised by Nature Talks, the organisation behind the annual Nature Talks Photo Festival – a complete nature images occasion that includes a variety of genres, together with macro, panorama, underwater, wildlife and storytelling, bringing creators collectively for instructional talks by world-class photographers, Q&A classes and masterclasses.

The competition additionally helps NGOs and different organisations in serving to nature, selecting Photographers Against Wildlife Crime for the occasion in 2025.

Entries for subsequent yr’s occasion open on December 8. Details for that and all of the winners and runners-up from this yr’s contest could be seen at www.naturephotographeroftheyear.com.

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