Young Norfolk photographers in the frame for RSPCA wildlife competition

The RSPCA is encouraging young photographers in Norfolk to enter its prestigious photo competition to showcase their talent and love of animals and nature.

Entries for the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards have now opened and will close on August 13.

Last year, more than 4,000 young people with a passion for photography, animals and nature entered the competition. Now budding photographers aged 18 years and under are being asked to submit their photos capturing the animal kingdom on a camera or mobile device.

Ellie Rothnie, award-winning photographer and photographic guide, will again be part of the judging panel and she said: “The RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards is the ultimate celebration of young creative talent.

“Every year, the entries are astounding, and indeed many winners from this competition have become immensely successful professional photographers. I am truly honoured to be a judge again, I can’t wait to see this year’s entries.”

This year, the charity has launched a new category aimed at telling the story of an individual animal or commenting on the wider natural world. The ‘Documenting Animals’ category will consist of three photos which will document real stories, events and animals and aims to inspire, educate and make change for animals.

Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA photographer and competition judge, said: “We’re looking for a positive story that leaves a lasting impression.

“We want the entrants to show that they have thought about the narrative of their images, perhaps they might show the changing landscape of a nature reserve or a conservation project, maybe showing how humans help animals through rewilding initiatives or volunteering, or perhaps the images capture a series of moments which perfectly encapsulates an animal welfare or conservation issue.

“It’s an opportunity to use your imagination and natural curiosity and we’re excited to see what our budding young photographers in Norfolk come up with.”

The category will also require entrants to write 120 words to illustrate the series detailing what inspired them and give some background on what the story means for the animals involved.

The awards will be judged by a panel of experts in wildlife photography and Ellie will be joined by former competition winner-turned-professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; professional wildlife photographer and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs.

Competition sponsors are Natures Images (wildlife photography holidays) and Camtraptions (camera traps for wildlife photography).

Winners in each category will be awarded trophies and a selection of prizes at a ceremony at the Tower of London in December.

To submit your entry, or for more information, see https://young.rspca.org.uk