Photography Competition showcasing real stories and real lives.
What does living with wildlife really look like?
Across the world, people and wildlife share the same land — sometimes in harmony, sometimes in tension. This competition invites you to show the real stories of coexistence: your experiences, your perspective, your truth.
We are looking for authentic, respectful, and powerful images. Not sensationalised. Not staged. Your photos should reflect dignity, agency, and lived experience. If your image includes identifiable people, you must have taken it with full consent and respect.
If you are 18 or older, wherever you live, we invite you to enter — no professional experience required.
Photography Competition Categories
Life on the Edge: Where People and Wildlife Meet
Everyday moments where people and animals share space.
- Walking past animal tracks on the way to school
- Herding livestock near wild animals
- Farming, collecting water, or relaxing with wildlife nearby
- Unexpected but peaceful encounters in fields, forests, or villages
These are quiet stories of shared spaces and daily life.
Reality Check: The Challenges of Living with Wildlife
Honest images of what happens when sharing space becomes difficult.
- Crop or livestock losses
- Homemade deterrents or warning tools
- Scenes of resilience, damage, or adaptation
These are stories of challenge, endurance, and strength.
Custodians of the Land: Community Conservation in Action
Celebrating people who care for nature — formally or informally.
- Rangers on patrol
- Sustainable harvesting or replanting
- Traditional knowledge and wisdom
- Youth-led environmental projects
These are stories of leadership, stewardship, and deep connection.
The Photography Competition Process
- Photos will first be shortlisted by the Jamma team by the end of August 2026.
- A panel of independent judges will select the final winners by early September 2026.
- Winners will be notified by phone or email in mid-September 2026.
- Winners will be publicly announced at the awards evening in South Africa in October 2026.
How Will Photos Be Judged?
You don’t need fancy equipment or professional training — we are looking for real stories that reflect life with wildlife.
The judging panel will consider:
- Relevance to the Category: Does your photo fit the theme?
- Storytelling Impact: Does it spark emotion, curiosity, or reflection?
- Authenticity and Context: Is it honest, respectful, and grounded in real experience?
- Technical Quality: Basic focus, composition, and clarity — but perfect photography skills are not required.
Phone photos, informal shots, and simple everyday scenes are very welcome.
How to Enter
This year there is only one way to enter, please submit your entries via the form below.
Key Dates
- Submissions Open: 13 July 2026.
- Deadline for entries: 16 August 2026, 23:59 (GMT).
- Winners notified: By the beginning of September 2026.
- Awards Evening: October 2026, South Africa at the
What You Could Win
Overall Winner:
- $1,000 USD cash prize (paid via bank transfer).
- $500 USD community donation to a local organisation you nominate (must meet eligibility and verification criteria).
Two Runners Up:
- $300 USD cash prize (paid via bank transfer).
Entry Rules (In Short)
- Open to anyone aged 18 or older, from anywhere in the world.
- You can submit up to 5 different photos.
- All photos must be your original work.
- Basic editing is allowed. No AI-generated or heavily manipulated images.
- You retain full ownership; by entering, you grant Jamma permission to use your photo (with credit) for advocacy, education, and exhibitions.
- You must confirm that you accept the full competition Terms & Conditions when you submit.
Questions?
Email us at info@jamma.co.
Please note that due to the large volume of emails we will only respond to those emails where the information is not available here. Otherwise all questions can be answered by looking at the information on this page and the Terms and Conditions.
