Whether you’re a budding wildlife photographer, a casual visitor with a good eye or just love snapping funny animal moments, this is your chance to showcase your creativity and win amazing prizes.
Competition categories
We have six exciting categories in 2026. Whether you’re capturing wildlife, landscapes or just a hilarious animal expression, there’s something for everyone:
Category A: Best photo taken by a professional photographer
For photographers who shoot wildlife as part of their career or business. This category celebrates technical skill, storytelling and artistic vision!
Category B: Best photo taken by a zoo visitor
Open to all Zoo guests - whether it’s a spontaneous phone snap or a lucky moment from a day out.
Category C: Best “Wildlife in Need” picture
New for 2026 - this category highlights conservation and endangered species. Help tell the story of why wildlife needs our protection.
Category D: Best photo of zoo landscapes or gardens
Celebrate the natural beauty of the Zoo - from stunning views to hidden floral corners.
Category E: Best photo taken by a person under 18
A chance for young photographers to shine! Whether it’s creative, funny or full of heart, we want to see your best shot.
Enter the competition (under 18s only)
Category F: Best Humorous Caption
Got a perfectly timed animal moment? Add a witty caption and make us laugh!
This is a non-prize category, but selected entries may be featured on our socials and in a special edition of the Zoo Craic magazine for visitors to enjoy!
How to enter
- Visit Belfast Zoo and capture your best shots.
- Enter online by completing the correct entry form and uploading your image(s). Name your image as the category you are entering. For example, CatA1, CatC2
- Adults and young people aged 18 years old can enter the competition. Enter Belfast Zoo Photography Competition
- 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
- You’ll receive a confirmation email once your entry is submitted.
- Winners will be contacted by email and announced on Friday 9 October 2026 via our website, social media and email newsletter.
- Winners will also be invited to the Zoo to collect their prizes on a selected day.
Photographer Access Days
Need a little extra time and space to find the perfect shot? Join us for one of our exclusive Photographer Access Days with free Zoo access for registered participants. Join us either early morning (8.30am to 10am) or late afternoon (4.30pm to 6pm) on:
- Sunday 28 June
- Friday 17 July
- Sunday 30 August
Spaces are limited - email [email protected] to book your place.Spaces are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. Your slot is not confirmed until you have received an email from our team.
Prizes
Winners from each category will receive:
- First place: £125 cash, trophy, image displayed at Belfast Zoo and in a special edition of Zoo Craic magazine
- Second place: £50 cash, certificate, image featured in Zoo Craic and a family ticket to Belfast Zoo
- Third place: £25 cash, certificate, image featured in Zoo Craic and a Belfast Zoo goodie bag
Important dates
- Competition opens: Monday 1 June 2026
- Photographer access days: Sunday 28 June, Sunday 17 July, Sunday 30 August
- Competition closes: Sunday 27 September 2026
- Judging: Week commencing: Monday 5 October 2026
- Winners announced: Friday 9 October 2026
Snap it. Submit it. Show it off.
Enter Belfast Zoo’s Photography Competition 2026 from 1 June and let your lens tell a wild story.
If you do not have access to a computer, we will accept hard copies on A4 paper. Place your photos in a secure package and post them to:
Marketing Team
Belfast Zoo
Antrim Road
Belfast
BT36 7PN
Competition closing date
The competition closes on Sunday 27 September 2026.
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
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.