A photography award shaped by nature, community and purpose
ABOUT THE AWARD
Despite this strong photographic presence, there has been no structured international platform to consistently collect, curate and present the visual narrative of the wetland.
This award is created to fill that gap.
OUR MISSION
AGKISTRO ACTION
At the heart of our activities lies the Roupel Gorge, a timeless natural passage from the north into the Greek mainland, which for decades remained a “Restricted Zone” to most people—both during the Second World War and throughout the tense years of the Cold War that followed.
Agkistro Action is the first organization in Greece to carry out structured Military & Memory Tourism activities, in accordance with the 2021 Memorandum of Cooperation between the Ministries of National Defence, Culture and Tourism, led by the War Museum of Athens, for the development of this form of thematic tourism in Greece.
THE TEAM
Behind the Award
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CATEGORIES
Explore the four competition categories and discover the different ways photographers can interpret the unique ecosystem of Lake Kerkini.
Birds of Kerkini
Wildlife of the Wetland
Wetland Landscape
Human & Wetland
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can enter the competition?
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers from around the world. Participants must be the sole copyright holders of all submitted photographs.
2. Can I submit photographs taken with a smartphone?
Yes. Photographs captured with any camera, including smartphones, are eligible, provided they meet the competition’s technical, ethical and quality requirements. Entries will be judged solely on their artistic and technical merit, regardless of the equipment used.
3. Is there an age limit?
Participants must be at least 18 years old. Photographers aged 18–25 are automatically eligible for the Young Photographer of the Year Award.
4. Why is the competition dedicated exclusively to Lake Kerkini?
The competition celebrates the exceptional biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage of Lake Kerkini National Park, one of Europe’s most important wetland ecosystems. Its mission is to promote conservation through photography and create an international visual archive of this unique protected area.
5. How many photographs may I submit?
Each participant may submit up to 10 photographs in total, distributed across one or more competition categories.
6. What categories can I enter?
Photographs may be submitted to one or more of the following categories:
- Birds of Kerkini
- Wildlife of the Wetland
- Wetland Landscape
- Human & Wetland
7. Where must the photographs be taken?
All submitted photographs must have been taken within Lake Kerkini National Park and its surrounding wetland ecosystem in Northern Greece.
8. Can I submit photographs taken in previous years?
Yes. There is no restriction on when a photograph was taken, provided it complies with all competition rules.
9. Can I submit the same photograph in multiple categories?
No. Each photograph may only be entered into one category.
10. Can I submit photographs that have won awards in other competitions?
Yes, unless otherwise specified in the Terms & Conditions.
11. What file format should I upload?
Photographs must be submitted as JPEG files. Shortlisted photographers may later be required to provide full-resolution JPEG files and RAW files for verification.
12. Can I edit my submission after submitting it?
Yes. You may edit your submission until the submission deadline.
13. What level of image editing is permitted?
Standard post-processing, including exposure, contrast, colour balance, sharpening and cropping, is permitted. Images must accurately represent the original scene. Please refer to the Terms & Conditions for the complete editing policy.
14. Are AI-generated images allowed?
No. Images generated entirely or partially using artificial intelligence are not eligible. The competition accepts only authentic photographs created by the entrant
15. How are the photographs judged?
Entries are evaluated by an international jury based on artistic quality, originality, technical excellence, storytelling, relevance to the selected category and ethical standards.
16. When will the winners be announced?
Shortlisted photographers will be announced in January 2027. Winners will be announced during the official Awards Ceremony on World Wetlands Day (2 February 2027).
17. What happens if my photograph is shortlisted?
Shortlisted photographers may be asked to provide high-resolution JPEG files, RAW files and additional information to verify the authenticity of their entries before the final judging.
18. Will shortlisted photographs be exhibited?
Selected shortlisted and awarded photographs may be included in the official exhibition and promoted through the competition’s exhibitions, publications, website and communication channels.
19. Do I keep the copyright to my photographs?
Yes. Photographers always retain full copyright of their images. By entering the competition, participants grant the organizer limited rights to use submitted photographs exclusively for purposes related to the competition, always with full photographer credit.
20. Can I participate again in future editions?
Absolutely. The Kerkini Photo Awards is an annual international photography competition, and photographers are welcome to participate in future editions.