ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest

The Contest

The ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest returns for a sixth year! Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, ROM invites you to share your captivating images of the natural world for a chance to win some amazing prizes and have your photograph on display at the Museum.

Open to all residents of Ontario, read on to find out about this year’s incredible prizes and how to enter.

Contest generously supported by:
 

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Youth Category (Age 13-17)

Contest Period:
November 21, 2020 to March 21, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST

How to enter:
Share your wildlife image from your unlocked Twitter or Instagram account and include @ROMtoronto & #ROMwpyJR

Grand Prize:

Nikon D750 camera

  • Nikon D750 DSLR Kit courtesy of Henry’sFull-frame freedom, outstanding agility and the convenience of built-in Wi-Fi®. For those who find inspiration everywhere, who switch between stills and video without missing a beat, who want the look only a full-frame D-SLR can achieve and who love sharing their shots, the D750 is the tool to unleash your artistry.
  • ROM Birding / Photography Workshop for two (2). Hone your bird photography skills with ROM Ornithologist, Mark Peck
  • One-year ROM Curator’s Circle Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
  • The winning photograph will be displayed at the ROM

Honourable Mention Prizes (x2):

  • One-year ROM Family Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.

Download Full Youth Contest Rules (PDF)

Adult Category (Ages 18+)

Contest Period:
November 21, 2020 to March 21, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST

How to enter:
Share your wildlife image from your unlocked Twitter or Instagram account and include @ROMtoronto & #ROMwpyON

Grand Prize:

Nikon Z6II camera

  • Nikon Z 6II DSLR Kit courtesy of Henry’sTrue multimedia powerhouse. An electrifying moment in a dramatic still image. Cinematic 4K UHD videos that immerse viewers into another world. The new Nikon Z 6II, powered by the NIKKOR Z lenses, lets you create both with more confidence. Eye-Detection and Animal-Detection AF are available in both stills and videos, along with a wide standard range of ISO 100-51200. Greater power, fewer limits: let your creativity reach new heights. 
  • One-year ROM Curator’s Circle Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
  • The winning photograph will be displayed at the ROM

Honourable Mention Prizes (x2):

  • One-year ROM Family Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.

Download Full Adult Contest Rules (PDF)

Judges

Mark Peck | Manager, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity

Mark Peck is an award-winning wildlife and nature photographer. Mark will be introducing the WPY exhibit and the role of photography in conservation while sharing his expertise throughout the community.

Mark is the Manager, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity and formerly a technician in the ROM Department of Natural History, during which he was in charge of overseeing the ornithology collection. He serves as a committee member and ROM liaison for the Ontario Bird Records Committee, and as a consultant for Ontario Birds/ Ontario Field Ornithologists. He is also the co-coordinator of the Ontario Nest Records Scheme and Program Director of the Toronto Ornithological Club. Mark wrote the text for the recently published; The Extraordinary Beauty of Birds, Designs Patterns and Details by Deborah Samuel.

Tina Weltz | Digitization Photographer

Tina joined the Royal Ontario Museum in November 2017 as the Digitization Photographer where she is currently working with the Digitization team to capture objects from the diverse ROM Collections in order to be displayed through the ROM’s Online Collections. But her photography career extends far beyond the walls of the museum. In April 2002, Tina joined the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), volunteering as board member on both her Regional and national Boards.  She held the positions of PPOC President 2014-2016. Tina has received several awards throughout her career, most memorable Ontario Photographer of the Year both in 2015 and 2017. In 2010 Tina received the designation of Masters of Photographic Arts.  Eligibility for this prestigious designation requires the photographer to exhibit exemplary image-making skills in competition, as well as a volunteer commitment to the PPOC, and promotion of the photographic industry in general.

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Vincent Luk | Co-Founder of Hello Foto Inc.

Co-Founder of Hello Foto Inc, Vincent Luk has considerable experience working with local communities and organizations in sharing their stories through different visual mediums. His award-winning photography and video work have taken him across the globe, and his photographs have been exhibited in numerous galleries around Toronto.

As the Program Manager and instructor for the Fleming College Environmental Visual Communications Post-Graduate Program based at the Royal Ontario Museum, Vincent mentors future wildlife photographers and videographers who are passionate about environmental issues.

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David Coulson | Conservation Photojournalist

David Coulson is a visual storyteller based in Toronto, Canada. His work explores the complex and indivisible relationships between people and planet and has taken him around the world documenting the challenges, successes and resilience of conservation initiatives.  Through words, photography and film, David hopes to reveal our profound connections to the earth, our shared home, and the urgent need to protect it. 

David has been recognized by the Magenta Foundation as a 2019 emerging photographer. He has been featured in Beside Magazine, Canadian Wildlife, and Canadian Geographic, and has worked with organizations such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ontario Nature, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Royal Ontario Museum. Currently, David is hoping to inspire and train the next generation of concerned storytellers as an instructor at Fleming College’s Environmental Visual Communication Program, based out of the ROM.

Last Year's Winners

Close-up of brown bear shaking water from its headwilderbeasts running in a herdLynx running through the snowGround hog pokes it head up among a pile of branches on the groundbat in flight with its reflection in the water belowBird sits on flower with the sun setting in the background

Photo credits:
Top:Spirit Bear © Michelle Valberg; 2nd from top: Wilderbeast Crossing © Zuoxi Luo; 3rd row left: Lynx © Megan Lorenz; 3rd row right: Slightly Suspicious © Ania Avadanei; Bottom row left: Pallid Bat © Corey Hayes; Bottom row right: © PJ Howard.