Audubon Photography Awards
Meet the 2021 Judges
Your work will be evaluated by an expert panel of bird photographers, videographers and experts.
You’re wild about birds and your camera. Now combine your passions by entering the 2021 Audubon Photography Awards, featuring two new categories this year: a video category and a female bird category. You could win a cash prize or, if you’re our Youth winner, a special trip that will help you become an even better birder or bird photographer. Winning photos will be published in future issues of Audubon magazine.
Entry Period
January 27, 2021–April 7, 2021 at 12 p.m. (noon) Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) - (The entry period is now closed.)
Judges
Amateur, Professional, Youth, Plants for Birds, Grand, and Fisher Prizes:
- Sabine Meyer, photography director, National Audubon Society
- Kathy Moran, deputy director of photography, National Geographic Partners
- Allen Murabayashi, chairman and co-founder, PhotoShelter
- John Rowden, senior director for bird-friendly communities, National Audubon Society
- Tara Tanaka, wildlife photographer and videographer
Update: After learning about serious allegations against Jason Ward, the National Audubon Society has severed its ties with him and rescinded its invitation to have him judge the 2021 Audubon Photography Awards.
Video Prize:
- Mike Fernandez, video producer, National Audubon Society
- Sean Graesser, biologist and conservation photographer and videographer
- Tara Tanaka, wildlife photographer and videographer
Female Bird Prize:
Founders of the Galbatross Project: Brooke Bateman, Stephanie Beilke, Martha Harbison, Purbita Saha, Joanna Wu
Prizes
- Cash prizes up to $5,000!
- Special Youth prize: Six days at the Hog Island Audubon Camp in Maine during the 2022 season (transportation included)
No purchase necessary. Contest begins 1/13/21 and ends 4/7/21. Must be at least 13 years of age and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or Canada (excluding Quebec) to enter. Entrants under the age of majority must get permission from their parent or legal guardian to enter. Subject to Official Rules, which will be posted 1/13/21. Void where prohibited.
APA Official Rules, FAQs, and More
Audubon Photography Awards
2021 Contest Prizes
Find out more about our cash prizes up to $5,000, and a special immersive trip for the Youth division.
Audubon Photography Awards
Audubon Photography Awards Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our rules and submission requirements.
Audubon Photography Awards
Audubon’s Guide to Ethical Bird Photography and Videography
Respect for birds and their habitats must come before getting that perfect shot or footage. Here's how to be a responsible bird photographer or videographer.
Audubon Photography Awards
The 2020 Audubon Photography Awards: Winners
This year's top shots delight with dazzling colors and fresh perspectives.
Related Reading More Photography Stories
Tips And How-Tos
How to Record Great Audio of Birds and Their Environments
To capture clear sounds of birds that you are filming, follow these tips.
Tips And How-Tos
Recording Lots of Bird Videos? Here's What to Do After You Hit Stop
Tara Tanaka, a videographer and judge for the new video category in this year's Audubon Photography Awards, shares her how-to guide for managing video files and key editing tips.
Tips And How-Tos
How to Shoot (Good) Bird Videos with Your Camera
Do you want to capture a bird's every dip and call? Learn to break in the video mode on your digital camera.
Tips And How-Tos
How to Use Lighting and Angles to Take Better Bird Photos
Great light and the right perspective can really turn your shot around.
Ethics
Why Baiting Owls Is Not the Same as Feeding Backyard Birds
Some people question the difference between the two. There is a distinction—and the lives of birds depend on it.
Tips And How-Tos
The Dos and Don’ts of Editing Bird Photos
End up with the best image possible—without compromising its integrity.
