Environmental Photography Prize Winners “Give Wildlife a Voice”

“Striking” and “Unsettling” Winners of the Prince Albert II Foundation’s Environmental Photography Prize

The official choice for the 2026 Environmental Photography Prize has been unveiled by the Prince Albert II Foundation. Thirty-six images had been shortlisted and 7 images have been chosen as award winners.

A flagship occasion among the many Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Environmental Photography Prize is celebrating its sixth yr of showcasing the work of proficient wildlife and conservation photographers devoted to defending the planet.

Environmental Photographer of the Year

With her stunning {photograph} of a luminescent handprint on a sea turtle, wildlife photographer Britta Jaschinski has gained the competitors’s highest prize. The Environmental Photographer of the Year Award is given to one of many 5 class winners and comes with a €5,000 grant. Five winners will probably be receiving €1,000 whereas the People’s Choice Award and High School Students’ Choice Award winners will every win €500.

“It is a tremendous honour to be named Environmental Photographer 2026, selected by such a prestigious jury from among images of such high quality. My photography aims to highlight the fragility of species, but also the essential role of science in protecting our extraordinary wildlife,” says Britta Jaschinski.

The successful {photograph} reveals a inexperienced sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) swimming underwater with a glowing human handprint on its again. The scene demonstrates a way for capturing forensic proof to assist catch poachers and animal traffickers. Special fluorescent powder dyes, photographed underneath ultraviolet gentle, reveal traces of hand and fingerprints, gunpowder residues, and different traces of human interference. Six of the world’s seven sea turtle species are categorised as threatened, endangered, or critically endangered resulting from human persecution, habitat destruction, or marine air pollution. Wildlife forensic specialists Dr. Alexandra Thomas and Dr. Louise Gibson from the ZSL Wildlife Forensic Lab, London, are creating such strategies to help legislation enforcement.

“While traces of human presence can be unsettling, this image also tells a story of progress—innovation that gives a voice to wildlife, transforming evidence into a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering accountability,” says Britta Jaschinski. Her hanging investigative images expose crimes towards the atmosphere and wildlife, calling for concrete motion in direction of a extra sustainable future. Her work has been printed in essentially the most prestigious worldwide publications, together with National Geographic, Time Magazine, and GEO.

“The environment cannot ask for help”

Sergio Pitamitz, wildlife and conservation photographer and National Geographic contributor, was this yr’s president of the competitors. Alongside the organizing group, he lended his experience to making sure compliance with moral requirements in environmental pictures.

“The environment and wildlife cannot ask for help. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Prize gives them a voice. The competition seeks images that are not only visually striking but also meaningful: photographs capable of informing, inspiring engagement, and raising awareness of the urgent challenges facing our planet,” says Sergio Pitamitz.

This yr’s 5 classes had been: Change Makers, Forests, Humanity vs. Nature, Ocean, Polar Regions, and Actors of Change. Each winner was chosen by a world jury of famend photographers and people dedicated to conservation.

Exhibition and Book

Winning images from the 2026 version will probably be on show in Monaco from 28 May to 30 July 2026 on the Larvotto Promenade, earlier than touring internationally. An upcoming guide that includes the images and explanatory texts will probably be printed by Skira Paris.

“Environmental photography has this unique ability to make realities that are sometimes distant feel concrete and urgent. By revealing both the beauty and the vulnerability of our planet, these images invite us to look more closely, to deepen our understanding, and to act with greater determination. Through this Prize, we hope to amplify the voices of those who bear witness on the ground and encourage a collective commitment to protecting life,” says Romain Ciarlet, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Next yr’s Competition

Submissions for subsequent yr’s Environmental Photography Prize will probably be open on the Prince Albert II Foundation’s web site from 1 September to 1 November 2026.