Red deer stag in autumn mist by Oliver Cadman
Photography Competition
Celebrating Staffordshire's Wildlife
Nature is in trouble. Decades of decline have left little diversity – only pockets of nature rich space remain. Each day, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is working to bring nature back across the county. We want to restore what we’ve lost and bring diminished landscapes back to life so wildlife can thrive once again.
We need YOUR help. By entering our photo competition you’ll help raise vital funds towards our work. Importantly, you'll help inspire more people to appreciate Staffordshire's nature and fight for its future.
Entries closed at 9am on Monday 13 July. We can’t wait to see your entries - good luck!
The categories
This year's competition has five categories and a dedicated under 18s section which will be judged separately). Photographers can choose from:
Kingfisher by Ian Eardley
Wildlife in action
Whether it's a kestrel hovering in the sky, a kingfisher diving for a fish or a butterfly in flight, this category is dedicated to fast shutter speeds capturing wildlife on the move.
Badger among bluebells by Graham Burrows
Wildlife portrait
Whether it's a close-up using a telephoto lens or a wider shot showing them in their habitat – the subject shines in all their natural glory.
Rob Bendelow
We are nature
Nature underpins our very existence - it boosts our physical and mental health. This category is about showing people immersed in the natural world - ideally at one of our nature reserves! Remember you must have permission to photograph them, and you must attach a signed copy of our consent form with your entry so that we can sell the calendar with their image in it, should you be selected as a winner.
Thorswood snow at sunset by Sarah Davison
Autumn/winter
This category is dedicated to the beauty of these seasons. Golden woodlands losing their leaves, rugged misty moorland vistas or a snow-covered landscape gently illuminated at sunset. We’d really love to see your captures of SWT nature reserves but your landscape can be anywhere in Staffordshire.
Canary shouldered thorn and dusky thorn moths on Yarrow by Darron Matthews
Mini marvels
This is for the macro photographers! We want to see your captures of the intricate and finite details of nature. Bring the tiny world of insects, fungi and plants to life in high-definition detail.
All about the competition
How is the competition judged?
Once the competition closes the initial judging will take place... A panel of judges from SWT will choose the 12 images for the 2027 calendar. The final stage will be a public vote where the public pick their favourite image and decide the overall winning image. This photo will take centre stage on the front of our calendar next year. The winner will also receive a pair of Viking Otter 8x42 Binoculars worth £89.95!
How do I enter?
To enter, please head to the top of the page and use the enter now button or follow the link below to upload your photograph(s). There is a maximum of three, landscape oriented photos per photographer maximum file size of 15 MB per photo.
Please download and complete the copyright form below, which gives permission for your image to used by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. If including any images of people, please download the consent form and ask them to complete it. Both can be attached along with your entries.
The closing date for all entries is 9am on Monday 13 July.
Copyright form
- Photographs Copyright Licence SWT and RSWT.pdf (239.29 KB)
Consent form (images of people)
What could I win?
There's an incredible prize up for grabs for the photographer who wins the calendar cover spot - a pair of Viking Otter 8x42 Binoculars worth £89.95.
The overall cover winner will be contacted in August and invited to The Wolseley Centre to receive their prize, and see their image proudly printed on the front of our 2027 calendar!
Each photographer who wins a spot in the calendar, will receive a free copy and a winner's certificate.
We've also got an under 18 category for one lucky budding photographer to win a FREE place on a workshop with a talented local photographer. This will enable them to elevate their wildlife photography and learn from an experienced and talented photographer. The workshop will take place at The Wolseley Centre during autumn 2026. Under 18s submissions will also be judged for potential inclusion in the calendar but they may not win a spot.
The winner will receive these fantastic Viking Otter binoculars - perfect for spotting nature while out and about. Thank you to Viking for gifting these for the competition.
Are there any runner up prizes?
Each photographer who secures a place in the 2027 Wild Staffordshire calendar will receive a free copy of the calendar. As well as the 12 winning images, the judges may select 3 to 5 further photos from each of these categories to be posted on SWT’s social media. Followers will then be asked for ‘vote’ for their favourite, and the winning image will feature as the page’s header image for a week.
When will I hear if I've won?
Winning photographers will be emailed towards the end of week commencing Monday 20 July, before their images are published for the public to choose the overall winner. If you haven't heard anything by Wednesday 29 July then we’re sorry but your entry has not been successful.
We're unable to contact all entrants due to time limitations but we're very thankful to everyone who enters the competition - we wish there could be more winners!
How will photos be judged?
Oliver Cadman, gifted local photographer and winner of our 2025 competition has been invited to join our judging panel this year to help select 12 winning images for the calendar, before the public selects the overall cover winner. The public vote will run in late July/early August before the overall winner is revealed. The panel of judges includes Sarah and Christine, from Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s marketing and communications team who are both keen photographers themselves and Assistant Ranger Tom Ellis, a talented wildlife photographer.
IMPORTANT - Don't forget
The welfare of the subject is a top priority. Never cause stress to a subject just for a photo; wildlife is more important than any photograph will ever be.
Make sure you stay on paths or within designated areas.
You must read all competition terms and conditions, confirming you have done so in order for your entry to be valid.
The closing date for all entries is 9am on Monday 13 July. No entries will be accepted after this.