EUROPEAN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2025: HIGHLY COMMENDED
Polar Bear image “Age of Innocence” is Highly Commended at European Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Award success at European Wildlife Photographer of the Year
I have just returned from Germany where I attended the awards ceremony for European Wildlife Photographer of the Year where my touching image of a Polar Bear family was awarded Highly Commended by the judges. This competition, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year is one of the most prestigious and highly regarded photography competitions amongst nature photographers, so I was so proud and honored to be recognised this year.
I have entered this competition several times before and had images shortlisted but never made it to the final round, so I was really thrilled to take my place on the stage in Lunen alongside the other award winning photographers, some of whom I have long admired. This year there was a total of 1, 120 photographers from over 48 countries who submitted more than 24,500 images so I really appreciated that the respected judges including Rosamund Kidmund Cox and Bruno D’Amicis recognized my work amongst so many other incredible images.
Beyond the awards ceremony, the festival itself was so inspiring with presentations from many world renowned photographers and the organizers went out of their way to welcome me into their community. All I can say is that I hope this won’t be the last time I go to Lunen and this Awards as it was so rewarding and left me brimming with ideas.
My success at European Wildlife Photographer of the Year has definitely been my biggest award win to date, but I am thrilled that this image has also been recognized by two other competitions this year. So what makes it stand out?
Me with my image which was exhibited at the Nature festival
Story behind my award winning image “Age of Innocence”
This image is a very special one for me, but I’m gratified that it has also struck an emotional chord with judges, followers on social media and with the festival goers at this weekends Nature festival who would often stop and take pictures of it.
I had never seen such tiny polar bear cubs, just days out of the den, display this type of heartwarming behaviour before and it made me very emotional as you might imagine.
So here is the backstory to this award winning image which I titled “Age of Innocence” .
This was my second time doing a seven day photo expedition to Baffin Island, which is one of the most majestic & pristine environments in the world to see polar bears. The expedition takes place during March & April when the sea ice has frozen, but this timing also fortuitously coincides with female polar cubs coming out of their den with their coys (Cubs of the year).
The expedition means camping out on the sea ice, traveling around by skidoo, and photographing the bears on foot once they are spotted. It’s a truly unique experience that only 40 people a year get to experience. However, with temperatures between -30 and -40, it is also one of the most challenging to ensure you keep your hands warm to press the shutter!
We had spent most of the morning & part of the afternoon with this mother & her COYS (Cubs of the year) which were likely a week or so out of their den. As they are so young, they are very vulnerable so the mother can be easily spooked. Unfortunately just as we settled into position with the bears lying down in front of us, the mother got up and she & the cubs ran off towards a nearby iceberg. Our spotters followed at a discrete distance and gave word that we should pack up our gear to meet them. When we got to this iceberg I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Polar Bear mother and cubs huddle together on iceberg
Polar Bear cubs want their mother attention
The mother & cubs were huddled together on top of the iceberg. The mother felt safe, would doze as the cubs played and it was clear she felt totally relaxed in our presence. We then had almost two hours with this family and that precious time continues to be some of the most memorable I have ever had in the wild. To witness such intimate moments, such as this one, between the cubs whilst their mother rests is something that is once-in- a-lifetime sighting.
Polar Bear cubs touch noses while mother sleeps
Then, as the sun was setting, the mother led her cubs off the iceberg & we watched as they moved off into the distance. It was a perfect goodbye and when they had left most of us shed a tear at emotion of it all. It was a truly magical experiences made possible by the incredible guides at Arctic Kingdom. Whilst this happened over a year ago now this experience continues to resonate through the various competitions where it has been recognized this year.
Polar Bear family huddle together as sun sets
10 Years of Remembering Wildlife
Besides GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year “Age of Innocence” was chosen earlier this year as one of the 20 winners from the 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife competition. This competition received more than 4,500 entries from photographers all over the globe, so this was another huge personal achievement.
Remembering Wildlife is a photography book series created by British wildlife photographer Margot Raggett dedicated to raising awareness for endangered animals. My winning image, along with the other winners, was exhibited at the Patrick Mavros store in London earlier in October as part of launch events, and it was fantastic to meet with fellow photographers who had flown in far and wide for this and the launch of the book which took place at the Royal Georgraphical Society on the 6th October. To be featured in the book 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife available to buy in the link is another recognition that I’m really proud of and I just want to thank Margot and her team not only for this, but more importantly the relentless drive to raise funds and awareness for endangered species. It’s so great to be part of this initiative again with another polar bear image!
Focus for Survival 2025
This is a photography competition that is run by Explorers Against Extinction in aid of conservation and aims to celebrate mother nature through photography and raise not only awareness but funds through the sale of donated limited edition prints.
I am thrilled to announce that Age of Innocence and Shape of Things to Come made to the final 12 images selected as finalists and will be part of the Focus for Survival 2026 Calendar and just last week it was announced that Age of Innocence is on a shortlist of 4 images for Photographer of the Year and will be exhibited alongside other images at Oxo Gallery in London from 19-23rd November. So do come by if you are in the area to look at some incredible images and help raise money for wildlife conservation.
This was the feedback by the judges on both images-
Age of Innocence
"I’ve always admired polar bears, and the photographer has managed to capture such a tender family moment here." Levison Wood
Shape of Things to Come
"The low angle and composition of this shot helped capture this rhino mother and her calf in a perfect, tender moment, Again, the aperture used helped ensure the subject stood out from the background and the angle chosen of their profile made for a powerful shot." Sue Flood
If you are interested in owning this multi award winning limited edition print then please go to my Print Store where it is available to buy -Age of Innocence
I really appreciate you taking the time to read this blog. I’ve been so grateful this year for some the awards recognition I’ve received, which has encouraged me to keep pushing myself whenever I’m in the field or back home editing my images as there’s always more to aim for. I hope my story might also encourage others to take the plunge and enter a photography competition- you have nothing to lose!
If you are interested in knowing more about Polar Bear photography do check out this blog and if you also love Polar Bears as much as I do check out my fine art Polar Wildlife collection.
Finally, let me know any questions you might have via this link or connect with me on Instagram — I love hearing from fellow wildlife lovers and if you also like any of my fine art images check out my Print Shop.
Thank you!
Jules
NEWS COVERAGE OF 10 YEARS OF REMEMBERING WILDLIFE
USEFUL LINKS
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