The Narwhal Rainbow Alliance has opened submissions for its second Queer Nature Photography Awards, an international competition inviting photographers to explore the intersection of biodiversity and LGBTQ+ themes. The contest, which culminates in an awards ceremony in Amsterdam, aims to build a visual library that underscores the prevalence of diversity in nature.
The organisation states that the awards were created to challenge conventional norms by showcasing phenomena such as same-sex animal pairings, gender fluidity in various species, and other forms of natural diversity. The goal is to use photography to foster a greater understanding that queerness is a natural occurrence throughout the biological world.
Submission Guidelines and Deadlines
Photographers, both amateur and professional, are invited to submit their work before the deadline of 31 May 2026. The competition seeks images that are not only visually compelling but also tell a story relevant to the theme.
- Entries: A maximum of three photographs per participant.
- Format: High-quality digital files suitable for print and publication.
- Process: Submissions should be sent via a file transfer service (e.g., WeTransfer) to info@narwhalrainbowalliance.com.
- Description: Each photo must be accompanied by a paragraph explaining its context, subject, and connection to the theme of queer nature.
Submitted images should focus on non-human subjects. By entering, photographers agree to allow the Narwhal Rainbow Alliance and its partners to use the images for promotional purposes, with full credit always provided to the creator.
Jury, Prizes, and Amsterdam Awards Ceremony
A panel of judges with expertise in biology, photography, and anthropology will evaluate the entries based on three main criteria: the aesthetic power of the image, the strength of its narrative, and its overall originality.
From the submissions, a top 10 will be selected for an exhibition. The top three winners will be announced during an awards event in Amsterdam in July 2026, which is scheduled to coincide with the city hosting WorldPride. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of €1500.
Wildlife and conservation photographer Melissa Groo commented on the initiative, stating, "Long overdue, these awards are a great way to make wildlife photography more inclusive and to fully honor the wonders of nature!"
