Prizes & Distinctions
Celebrating outstanding photography.Inspiring nature conservation.
Beyond cash prizes, the award offers international recognition, exhibition opportunities and the chance to become part of a growing visual archive dedicated to one of Europe's most important wetland ecosystems.
Each distinction reflects our commitment to promoting outstanding photography while inspiring a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and conservation.
Photo of the Year
The winner receives
- €1,000 Cash Prize
- Winner’s Trophy & Certificate
- Featured at the Official Exhibition
- International Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Category Awards
Category Winner
1st Prize per Category
- €400 Cash Prize
- Official Trophy & Certificate
- Featured at the Official Exhibition
- International Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Second Prize
Awarded to a photograph of exceptional artistic quality.
- Official Second Prize Recognition
- Certificate of Achievement
- Featured at the Official Exhibition
- International Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Third Prize
Awarded to a photograph that stands out for its creativity and technical excellence.
- Official Third Prize Recognition
- Certificate of Achievement
- Featured at the Official Exhibition
- International Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Young Photographer Award
Recognising the next generation of nature photographers.
The winner receives
- €400 Cash Prize
- Official Trophy & Certificate
- Featured at the Official Exhibition
- International Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Special Mentions
Special Mentions may recognise
- Exceptional Artistic Quality
- Originality & Creative Vision
- Powerful Visual Storytelling
- A Unique Perspective
- Outstanding Technical Excellence
Each Special Mention includes
- Official Recognition
- Certificate of Achievement
- Featured at the Official Exhibition (subject to curatorial selection)
- Promotion through the Award’s Official Communication Channels
Final Shortlist
Shortlisted images:
- Represent the highest standard of the competition
- Form the core of the official exhibition
- Are featured through the Award’s official communication channels
Official Exhibition
The exhibition:
- Showcases the award-winning and shortlisted photographs
- Presents a curated visual story of Lake Kerkini’s wetland ecosystem
- Connects photography with biodiversity, conservation and public awareness
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.