JAPortrait coming soon
Juror A
Wildlife Photographer
First edition · 2026 · Open for entries
PolarPhotographerof the Year
Celebrating the North, the Arctic & Antarctica
Enter now Deadline · 31 December 2026
Competition 2026 · Key dates
- Entries open1 November 2026
- Early bird ends10 November 2026
- Final deadline31 December 2026
- Judging1 – 20 January 2027
- Winners announced1 February 2027
Sections
Seven sections celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, night sky and people of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica.
Northern & Polar Landscapes
Landscapes of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica
Northern & Polar Landscapes
Landscape photography from northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, capturing the character, atmosphere and beauty of natural environments.For exampleMountains, fjords, coasts and tundraGlaciers, icebergs and frozen seasNorthern forests, rivers and islandsLight, weather and the changing seasonsExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read moreNorthern & Polar Wildlife
Animals of northern and polar regions
Northern & Polar Wildlife
Wildlife photography featuring animals in their natural environments across northern and polar regions.For exampleArctic foxes, reindeer, musk oxen and wolvesWalrus, seals and whalesBehaviour, interaction and survivalAnimals in their environmentExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read moreBirds of the North & Polar Regions
Birds of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica
Birds of the North & Polar Regions
Bird photography from northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, covering all eligible bird species.For exampleOwls, raptors and ptarmiganSeabird colonies, puffins and albatrossesBirds in flightMigration, courtship and nestingExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read moreNorthern Lights & Night Sky
Aurora, the night sky and atmospheric phenomena
Northern Lights & Night Sky
Aurora borealis, night-sky photography, astronomical subjects and atmospheric phenomena associated with northern and polar environments.For exampleAurora borealis and aurora australisStars, the Milky Way and the moon over polar landscapesNoctilucent clouds, halos and polar stratospheric cloudsThe polar night and the blue hourExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read morePeople of the North & Polar Regions
Portraits, cultures and communities
People of the North & Polar Regions
Portraits, cultures, communities and human life across northern regions, the Arctic and Antarctica, including Indigenous peoples, local communities, researchers, explorers and expedition teams.For exampleIndigenous peoples and local communitiesTraditions, crafts and daily lifeResearchers, explorers and expedition teamsPortraits and storiesExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read morePolar Bears
Polar bears in their natural environment
Polar Bears
Photography of polar bears in their natural environment, capturing their behaviour, interactions and relationship with their surroundings.For exampleBehaviour and interactionMothers and cubsHunting, swimming and restingThe bear in its landscapeExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read morePenguins of Antarctica
Penguins in Antarctic environments
Penguins of Antarctica
Photography of penguins in Antarctic environments, capturing their behaviour, interactions and life in their natural habitat.For exampleColonies, chicks and parentsBehaviour and interactionPenguins on ice, rock and in the seaLife in the Antarctic habitatExamples only: every subject that fits the section is welcome.Read moreEntry fees
- 1st€20
- 2nd€10
- 3rd€10
- 4th€10
- 5th€10
- 6th🎁Free
- 7th🎁Free
First section €20, every further section €10. Enter 5 sections and the other 2 are our gift — all 7 sections for €60. Each section includes up to 4 photos.
The Main Award
Polar Photographer of the Year
One overall title recognising the photographer of the competition across all seven sections: the highest honour of Polar Photographer of the Year.
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- Hand-cut crystal trophy
- Global recognition and promotion
- Featured in the annual exhibition and winners' book
- Interview and international media coverage
Main Medals
Awarded in each of the seven sections.
Gold Polar
First place in each section
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Silver Polar
Second place in each section
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Bronze Polar
Third place in each section
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Jury Choice Medal
In every section; three sections give it a name of its own.
Jury Choice Award
The jury's own choice in Landscapes, Wildlife, Birds and People.
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Northern Lights Award
The Jury Choice medal of Northern Lights & Night Sky.
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Polar Bear Award
The Jury Choice medal of the Polar Bears section.
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Penguin Award
The Jury Choice medal of Penguins of Antarctica.
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In Every Section
Five ribbons and five Honourable Mention certificates.
Ribbons
Five ribbons in every section, for images the jury wants to honour.
Honourable Mention
Five signed certificates in every section for outstanding images.
The Jury
Photographers, editors and storytellers with a deep connection to the polar regions. Every entry is judged anonymously.
JBPortrait coming soon
Juror B
Picture Editor, Curator
JCPortrait coming soon
Juror C
Documentary Photographer, Chair of the Jury
JDPortrait coming soon
Juror D
Expedition Photographer
JEPortrait coming soon
Juror E
Photo Editor
About the award
Polar Photographer of the Year is an international photography competition celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, people and natural phenomena of the North, the Arctic and Antarctica.
Our mission is to showcase the beauty, fragility and importance of the polar world through the power of imagery.
Be part of something extraordinary
Show the Arctic. Inspire the world.
Enter nowEntries open 1 November 2026