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 38th year of the photography competition.
Photographs taken at Belfast Zoo
To enter the competition, you must submit photographs that you've taken at Belfast Zoo between 3 June and 27 September 2025.
Photography categories
We have five competition categories and a category for children under 18 years old. You can enter a maximum of three photographs in a category. If you want to enter the competition more than once, you must submit unique photographs for each category.
Best Photograph taken by a Professional Photographer
This category is for professional photographers. Your photographs should portray creativity, composition and a love for wildlife.
Best Photograph taken by a Zoo Visitor
This category is open to visitors and amateur photographers. You can take a spontaneous snap on your phone or a moment from a day at Belfast Zoo.
Best Wildlife in Need Picture
This new 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.
Best Photograph of Zoo Landscapes or Gardens
This category celebrates the natural beauty in Belfast Zoo. The category is open to amateur photographers. Your photographs should capture stunning views, hidden floral corners and other picturesque scenes.
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.
Photography category for Children under 18 years old
This category is for children under 18 years old. If your child wants to enter this category, you must complete their competition entry.
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 Saturday 27 September 2025.
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:
- Friday 25 July, 8.30am to 10am and 4.30pm to 6pm
- Sunday 17 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].
Enter the photography competition online
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
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 terms and conditions
Eligibility
- Only photographs you have taken in Belfast Zoo between 3 June and 27 September 2025 are eligible for the competition.
- You must be the author and owner of all the photographs you submit to the competition.
- You can enter photographs of animals, plants or general views at Belfast Zoo.
- You must take photographs from public viewing areas.
- If people are pictured in your photograph, you must confirm each person consented to be photographed.
- Photographs taken using drones or selfie sticks are not eligible.
- Images produced by artificial intelligence are not eligible
- Digital editing of photographs is allowed but photographs must be realistic.
We might ask competition finalists for proof of age or proof of identity.
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.