Rare White Humpback Whale Wins World Nature Photo of the Year in Tender Mother–Calf Scene

The World Nature Photography Awards 2026 winners have been announced, and this year’s top image is nothing short of breathtaking. After receiving thousands of entries from photographers across 51 countries and six continents, the competition crowned Australian photographer Jono Allen as World Nature Photographer of the Year.

His extraordinary photograph captures a rare white humpback whale calf swimming closely beside her protective mother – a tender moment that instantly resonated with judges and nature lovers alike. Along with the prestigious title, Allen received the top cash prize of $1,000.

[Related Reading: Rare Humpback Whale Birth Filmed by Scientists Shows New Life in Hawaiian Waters]

“Sharing this moment with Mãhina and her protective mother is a memory that will live with me forever,” Jono said. Other than the grand prize, this tender image also brought Jono the first place in the Underwater category.

“It was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary days I have ever experienced in the ocean – and perhaps ever will. To be announced World Nature Photographer of the Year through capturing this unique mother and calf bond has made what was already a truly life-changing encounter even more profound and humbling. I feel beyond honoured to receive this award.”

A Global Celebration Of Nature Photography Excellence

The World Nature Photography Awards were founded on the belief that small positive actions can help shape the future of our planet. The 2026 competition once again proved how powerful photography can be. With thousands of entries submitted from 51 countries across six continents, the awards showcased an inspiring range of wildlife encounters, environmental stories, and artistic interpretations of the natural world.

[Related Reading: 8 Tips for Responsible Nature Photography]

Adrian Dinsdale, co-founder of the awards, reflected on the growing impact of the competition:

“As the awards continue to grow, so too does the diversity and quality of work submitted from across the globe. This year’s winning images are a powerful reminder of both the wonder of our planet and the importance of protecting it. We congratulate Jono and all of our category winners on their outstanding achievements.”

World Nature Photography Awards 2026 Categories

This year’s competition featured 14 categories, each of which awarded first, second, and third place. The official categories include:

• Animal portraits
• Animals in their habitat
• Behaviour: amphibians and reptiles
• Behaviour: birds
• Behaviour: invertebrates
• Behaviour: mammals
• Black and white
• Nature art
• Nature photojournalism
• People and nature
• Planet Earth’s landscape and environments
• Plants and fungi
• Underwater
• Urban wildlife

Many of the stunning images, from this year and the previous contests, are available as affordable wall art through the WNPA online store. The entries for the 2027 competition are also officially open now, and Early Bird rates are available until March 30, 2026. So, take a look at the category winners below to get inspired, and then… Go out and take some nature photos of your own to submit them. Who knows, perhaps next year your photos will be among these wonderful images as well.

Animal portraits

Animals in their habitat

Behaviour: amphibians and reptiles

Behaviour: birds

Behaviour: invertebrates

Behaviour: mammals

Black and white

Nature art

Nature photojournalism

People and nature

Planet Earth’s landscape and environments

Plants and fungi

Underwater

Urban wildlife

More From the Nature Photographer of the Year

If you’d like to see more contest photos from other years, click on the links below and enjoy!

• This mystical giraffe photo wins Nature Photographer of the Year 2020
• Fascinating photo of geese migration wins 2021 Nature Photographer of the Year
• Polar bears took over an abandoned house and won Nature Photographer of the Year 2022
• Dreamy photo of a spectacled bear wins Nature Photographer of the Year 2023
• Nature Photographer of the Year’s 2024 winner captures the Holy Grail of wildlife photography

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