The TransNatura 2026 International Nature Photography Contest is inviting photographers worldwide to submit their best wildlife and nature photographs. Now in its 13th edition, the competition is organised by the VADON Association in Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania, and focuses on photography that documents the natural world and encourages its conservation.
There are two categories: Wildlife and Nature and Landscapes. The Wildlife category covers animals photographed in their natural habitats, from close-up portraits to action shots and animal behaviour. Nature and Landscapes is dedicated to scenery, forests, rivers, plants and natural phenomena, and does not accept photographs featuring animals. Images of captive wildlife are also excluded, and photographers must avoid disturbing animals or damaging their habitats.
Photographs must be submitted as JPG files in RGB colour space, with a minimum of 3,000 pixels on the longest side. Standard adjustments to exposure, colour and contrast are allowed, but substantial changes to important elements of an image are prohibited. Entries must be free of watermarks, signatures and text. An international jury will assess the photographs from 21 to 30 November 2026, with the results announced on 22 January 2027.
Entry fee: The first three photographs are free to enter. Each additional photograph costs €5.
Eligibility
Open to amateur and professional photographers worldwide, excluding organisers and jury members; photographs must be the entrant’s own work, taken without disturbing wildlife or its habitat, and must not feature captive animals.
Prize
The competition offers seven cash prizes totalling €5,500. The overall TransNatura Grand Prize winner will receive €1,500. In each of the two categories, first prize is €1,000, second prize is €600 and third prize is €400. Winning and selected photographs will also be exhibited at the Hunting and Natural Sciences Museum in Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania, with the exhibition opening on 22 January 2027. A digital exhibition catalogue will be published on the TransNatura Facebook page after the opening.