Environmental Photographer of the Year 2025: Submissions Now Open
We’re proud to share that the Environmental Photographer of the Year (EPOTY) 2025 competition is officially open for submissions. This global platform, powered by CIWEM and supported by Arup, brings together photographers, storytellers, and changemakers to capture the most pressing environmental challenges — and the solutions that give us hope for the future.
Entries are open until 28 September 2025. Submissions are free, and the competition welcomes work from both professional and amateur photographers.
Submit your images at epoty.org
As the official Impact Partner, Brave Blue World Foundation is joining forces with CIWEM to connect the competition with our global impact campaign. Winning and shortlisted photographs will travel the world with our Our Blue World documentary screenings — offering audiences the chance to experience the urgency and beauty of these stories through both film and photography.
A platform for global voices
The competition is free to enter and open to photographers of all ages and abilities, from every corner of the world. In 2024, EPOTY received thousands of entries from over 100 countries, with images featured in international publications and exhibitions. This year, the organizers are expecting even broader participation.
For 2025, the competition introduces four powerful categories:
From Source to Sea – highlighting water’s journey and the challenges it faces along the way.
Inspired by Nature – celebrating the beauty and resilience of our natural world.
Deluge or Drought – documenting extremes of water scarcity and flooding.
Models of Stewardship – showcasing communities, innovators, and leaders creating positive change.
The overall winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize, while each category winner will receive £500, along with international recognition and the opportunity to reach millions through CIWEM, Arup, and Brave Blue World platforms.
Why it matters
At Brave Blue World Foundation, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire a movement for water. Photography and film are two of the most impactful ways to connect people to the urgency of protecting our planet — and to the hope that solutions are within reach.
As Paul O’Callaghan, our CEO and Executive Producer of Our Blue World, says:
“We all have a water story, and we want to encourage everyone to share theirs — contributing to a global narrative that is inclusive and inspiring. As part of our impact campaign, we will take the winning photographs on tour with the Our Blue World film, bringing these stories to audiences around the world.”