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While we all see the world differently, we all share responsibility for its future.Director of Photoworks and Earth Photo judge, Louise Fedotov-Clements

Yesterday evening, photographers, filmmakers, and geographers gathered at the Society to celebrate this year's Earth Photo competition winners.  

Out of over 1,400 entries from around the world, eight outstanding projects received prizes in an award ceremony in the Society’s Ondaatje Theatre.  

Opening the ceremony, Jamie Owen, Curator of Photography, reflected on the enduring relationship between the Society and photography and film. With well over half a million original photographs, negatives and lantern slides in its Collections, since the mid-late 19th century, the Society has been using photography and film to record the environment, landscape, and communities around the world. Earth Photo is an important continuation of this work, shining a light on the humanitarian and environmental issues of our time. 

This year’s submissions demonstrate once again the remarkable breadth of photographic practice. We've seen moments of beauty and resilience alongside fragility and loss, and also regeneration…together these works remind us that there’s no single story about the environment - there are countless interconnected stories each offering a different perspective on the world we share.Louise Fedotov-Clements

The overall Earth Photo 2026 winner was Britta Jaschinski for her powerful photographic project documenting the illegal wildlife trade and the forensic science being developed to fight it. On receiving her award, Britta said “I’m not often speechless…I’m so excited to be here and really honoured”. She also shared her congratulations with the forensic team, border force and biologists she worked alongside, commenting: “If it wasn’t for them, none of my photos would exist”. 

Adding to the evening’s excitement, we were delighted to have naturalist, broadcaster and wildlife campaigner Chris Packham deliver the keynote speech. He highlighted the bravery and artistry that the photographers and filmmakers have shown: "We have capacity to make a difference...and each one of you is out there sincerely trying to make a difference by confronting these issues and effectively communicating them to an audience".

Looking ahead, he also spoke of the “implicit instantaneous power” that images can have, encouraging the photographers and filmmakers to continue in their pursuits: “my only request is you do more of it and you do it harder”.

These awards are important affirmation for those of us trying to shine some light on the world. Gideon Mendel, recipient of The Earth Photo 2026 Moving Image Award

Before and after the ceremony, members, friends and photography enthusiasts, were invited to view the selected works on display in the Pavilion, and enjoy an opportunity to chat to the winning artists.  

This year's Earth Photo 2026 winners are:

Earth Photo 2026 Award

Britta Jaschinski

Royal Geographical Society Climate of Change Award

Payal Kakkar

Moving Image Award

Gideon Mendel

Sidney Nolan Trust Residency Prize

Zillah Bowes

David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Award - Photography

Filbert Minja

Photoworks Digital Residency Award

Marco Garro

New Scientist Editors Award - Photography

Natalya Saprunova

New Scientist Editors Award - Film

Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, for The Vanishing Childhood

See all the winning images and films

The Earth Photo exhibition  is open on weekdays until 24 July at the Society. The exhibition will then tour partner venues across the UK - view full tour dates and venue details.

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