The 2025 International Photo Awards (IPA) have unveiled their stunning collection of winning images in the Nature Category, showcasing the planet's breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and intricate natural details. This year's selection features 20 exceptional photographs from both seasoned professionals and emerging talents, each offering a unique perspective on the environment around us.
From dramatic weather patterns to the intimate lives of animals, these images highlight both the splendor and the fragility of Earth's ecosystems. The competition, which is now open for its 2026 entries, invites photographers globally to share their vision and contribute to a wider conversation about nature's beauty and its preservation.
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 IPA Nature Category winners feature 20 captivating images.
- Photographs cover diverse subjects from wildlife to landscapes and macro details.
- The awards highlight both the beauty and vulnerability of natural ecosystems.
- The 2026 IPA competition is now accepting entries from photographers worldwide.
Capturing Wildlife in Its Purest Form
Wildlife photography stood out among the winning entries, offering intimate glimpses into the lives of animals in their natural habitats. One striking image, awarded 3rd place in Nature/Wildlife, depicted a majestic animal in black and white. The photographer spent considerable time observing the animal from a zodiac, allowing for careful composition.
The photographer aimed to emphasize the creature's purity and add an artistic dimension through slightly overexposed black and white processing. This approach created a powerful portrait, capturing the animal's imposing posture as it seemed to offer a salute.
Did You Know?
One winning photograph captured a Siberian flying squirrel feeding in sub-zero temperatures, illustrating the resilience of life in harsh environments.
Another compelling series, taking 2nd place in Nature/Wildlife, was captured over several nights from an underground hide in Kenya. This vantage point provided photographers with an unparalleled view of a waterhole, a vital resource for a wide array of animals, from birds to elephants and apex predators like lions and leopards.
These images successfully conveyed the constant tension and vulnerability that animals experience when sharing such a crucial commodity, especially with predators lurking nearby. They also highlighted the contrasting confidence of a lion, embodying its title as 'king of the jungle.'
Macro Worlds and Hidden Wonders
The Macro category revealed the often-overlooked beauty of small organisms. A 1st place winner showcased a brilliant green jumping spider, Phidippus Audax, on sweet potato vines during a cold fall day in October 2024. The photographer observed the spider, also known as the "Bold Jumper," moving slowly due to the cold and possibly old age.
The spider was seen gathering dew from its body to drink, a moment beautifully captured as a portrait. The photographer expressed gratitude for preserving the beauty of this creature, knowing it might not survive the harsh Kansas winter.
"To witness this creature, so small and delicate, navigating the harsh cold and even gliding with food in its grasp, was deeply moving. Its fierce will to survive in such an environment was palpable, a powerful testament to life's tenacity."
Another 1st place Macro image featured two Phylliana alba perched on a branch at night, facing each other. This unusual sight offered an interesting glimpse into the nocturnal world of insects. The delicate details and intricate forms of these creatures were brought to life through the lens.
Striking Landscapes and Aerial Perspectives
The IPA awards also celebrated the grandeur of landscapes, both from the ground and high above. A 1st place winner in Nature/Trees depicted the Walakiri mangrove trees, known as "Dancing Trees" due to their distinctively twisted and curved trunks. These trees, resembling human dancers, attract photographers globally.
The winning shot captured two trees, framed beautifully in a dramatic black and white image, appearing like a "couple" amidst the branches. This photograph conveyed the serene beauty and tranquility of the Walakiri mangrove forest.
About the IPA Awards
The International Photo Awards (IPA) is a global platform that recognizes talented photographers across various categories. The Nature category specifically celebrates images that capture the essence, beauty, and vulnerability of the natural world.
Aerial photography provided unique perspectives of Earth's artistry. A 2nd place winner in Nature/Aerial / Drone captured the soda lakes of Kenya. These lakes, with high concentrations of sodium, create a stunning array of colors and textures due to hot springs and minerals. The photographer, flying at high altitude in a helicopter, documented this otherworldly landscape.
The images showed the lakes both in isolation and teeming with thousands of flamingos feeding on algae, showcasing Mother Nature's intricate artistry. Another aerial shot, taking 3rd place, revealed the remote industrial settlement of Useless Loop on the western edge of Australia's Shark Bay World Heritage Area, highlighting its role in solar salt production amidst pristine marine environments.
Underwater Worlds and Astrophotography
The Underwater category brought forth images of marine life and submerged landscapes. A 1st place winner showcased a fearless and curious sea lion captured in May 2024 during a dive at the marine-protected colony in Los Islotes, Mexico. The sea lion approached the camera, inspecting the equipment, a testament to the success of protected areas where wildlife thrives without fear of human interaction.
Another underwater image, securing 3rd place, explored the flooded caves of Mexico's Yucatán, specifically the "Otoch Ha-David's line" cave. This particular cave formation remarkably resembled a human eye, offering a unique and intriguing visual experience for divers.
- Nature/Domestic Animals: An Andalusian stallion was captured in a 1st place image, expressing its temperament and character through powerful movements.
- Nature/Seasons: A 2nd place photograph depicted a sunset over New Jersey, viewed from a frozen Hudson River during a deep freeze in New York.
- Astrophotography: A 2nd place image captured Morant's Curve in winter on a cloudless night, featuring light trails of trains and star trails, just before sunrise.
Astrophotography also featured prominently, with a 3rd place image titled "Lightning Across the Sky." This photograph powerfully depicted lightning splitting the night sky, illuminating a city and blending the raw force of nature with the stunning urban nightscape. It captured a spectacular moment where natural power met human creation.
The diversity and skill evident in these winning photographs serve as a powerful reminder of the planet's vast and varied beauty. As the International Photo Awards open submissions for 2026, they continue to encourage photographers to document and share these crucial visual stories, fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the urgent need for its preservation.