Belfast Zoo's annual competition is open to amateur and professional photographers. There are categories for capturing wildlife, landscapes and animals' funny expressions at Belfast Zoo. This is the 39th year of the photography competition.
Photography categories
We have six competition categories in 2026. Whether you’re capturing wildlife, landscapes or just a hilarious animal expression, there’s a category for all types of photographers.
Category A: Best photograph taken by a professional photographer
This category is for professional photographers. Your photographs should demonstrate technical skill, storytelling and artistic vision.
Category B: Best photograph taken by a zoo visitor
This category is open to visitors and amateur photographers. You can take a spontaneous phone snap or a memorable moment from a day out at Belfast Zoo.
Category C: Best Wildlife in Need picture
This category highlights conservation and endangered species. The category is open to amateur photographers. Your photographs should tell the story of why we need to protect wildlife.
Category D: Best photograph of zoo landscapes or gardens
This category celebrates Belfast Zoo's natural beauty. The category is open to amateur photographers. Your photographs should capture stunning views, hidden floral corners and other picturesque scenes.
Category E: Best photo taken by a person under 18
This category is for children under 18 years old. If your child wants to enter this category, you must complete their competition entry.
Category F: Best Humorous Caption
This category is for amateur photographers. There is no prize for this category. Capture a perfectly timed animal moment at Belfast Zoo and add a witty caption. We might feature selected captioned photographs on our social media channels and in a special edition of Zoo Craic magazine.
Enter the photography competition online
Adults and young people aged 18 years old can enter the competition. When you enter the competition online, you'll receive confirmation by email.
Enter Belfast Zoo Photography Competition (link opens in new window)
If you're under 18, you must ask a parent or guardian to complete the online form on your behalf.
Enter Belfast Zoo Photography Competition for a child (link opens in new window)
Enter the photography competition by post
To send a postal entry to the competition, each printed photograph should be in A4 size. You must label each photograph with your name and photograph category. Post your photographs to: Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road, Belfast BT36 7PN.
Photography competition prizes
There will be three winners in each category:
- First prize wins £125 cash, trophy, their photograph displayed at Belfast Zoo and published in Zoo Craic magazine
- Second prize wins £50 cash, certificate, their photograph displayed at Belfast Zoo and published in Zoo Craic magazine
- Third prize wins £25 cash, certificate, their photograph displayed at Belfast Zoo and published in Zoo Craic magazine
Competition closing date
The competition closes on Sunday 27 September 2026.
Photographer access days
If you'd like time and space to find the perfect photograph at Belfast Zoo, book a photographer access session when the zoo is quiet. There are morning and evening sessions on:
- Sunday 28 June, 8.30am to 10am and 4.30pm to 6pm
- Friday 17 July, 8.30am to 10am and 4.30pm to 6pm
- Sunday 30 August, 8.30am to 10am and 4.30pm to 6pm
The sessions are free and limited so you must book. To book an access session at the zoo, email [email protected]. We'll confirm by email if your access session is booked.
Photography competition timetable
- Competition opens on Monday 1 June 2026
- Photographer access days: Sunday 28 June, Sunday 17 July, Sunday 30 August
- Competition closes on Sunday 27 September 2026
- Judging begins on Monday 5 October 2026
- We'll contact winners by email and announce winners on Friday 9 October 2026 on our website and social media channels
Animal welfare
You must follow our code of conduct when taking photographs at the zoo. You must not compromise the welfare of an animal, injure or distress an animal or destroy an aninmal's habitat.
Copyright
Belfast Zoo owns the copyright of all photographs you submit to the competition. We will retain the copyright if we use or publish your photographs in any digital or print media including websites, social media, promotional literature and commercial materials.
Belfast Zoo or Belfast City Council will not pay to use or publish your photographs.
Submitting photographs
Only photographs you have taken in Belfast Zoo between 1 June and 27 September 2026 are eligible for the competition.
You can submit a maximum of three photographs in one category. If you want to enter two or three different categories, you need to complete an online form for each category. You can't submit the same photograph in two categories.
If you submit your entry by post with or without proof of posting, we are not responsible for receiving your photographs, or for loss or damage. We do not return printed photographs.
Judging competition photographs
A panel of judges will choose the prize winning photographs in each category. Their decisions are final. We will not discuss their decisions.