Essex Wildlife Trust’s annual photography competition is now open for public submissions until midnight, 29 November.

With last year’s competition receiving over 1,000 entries, the Trust is inviting the public to share their images of Essex’s wildlife and habitats taken in 2024. 

Entrants can submit a maximum of three images across the six available categories. 

The public can compete in the following six categories:

• A Wildlife Motion Picture – Images that capture movement within the natural world.
• Captivating Colours– Images that portray Essex in all its technicoloured glory.
• Gardener’s World – Images taken in your Essex garden.
• Wilder Essex – Images that capture wildlife in the urban environment. 
• Young Blood – Images taken by participants aged 6-16 only.
• Coastal Captures – Images that celebrate Essex’s coast, above and below the water.

The overall winner will be decided by public vote and will be announced in January. The category winners decided by a panel of judges be displayed in a public exhibition held at High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford, who are sponsoring the competition.

Lauren Cosson, Communications and Marketing Manager for Essex Wildlife Trust, said:

“Our photography competition is great reason to spend more time out in nature. Whether you are visiting a nature reserve, or exploring the wild visitors in your garden, we look forward to seeing how the public capture Essex’s wild side. By taking part, you can help us promote the beauty of Essex’s county, and the wildlife that lives here, so we can better protect and conserve it for the future.”

Karen Howard, Centre Manager for High Chelmer Shopping Centre, said:

High Chelmer is delighted to offer space in the Centre to host Essex Wildlife Trust’s Annual Photography Competition winners, whilst continuing its established partnership with the Essex Wildlife Trust. Each year we very much look forward to displaying the fantastic images captured around the county showing exceptional talent and vision. The showcase will help raise awareness and appreciation amongst our shoppers to recognise the magnificent wildlife in our local surroundings and engage with nature, whilst helping to promote positive wellbeing and health. By showcasing these images, we are bringing wildlife into the Centre to be enjoyed by all.”

Enter the competition here 

The competition is proudly sponsored by High Chelmer Shopping Centre.