Award

British Wildlife Photography Awards: Category Winner

I won the British Seasons category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 (Edition 14), and was Highly Commended in Wild Woods. Here is the winning portfolio and the stories behind it.

Published 25 March 2026

I am thrilled to announce that I have won the British Seasons Portfolio Category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA) Edition 14 in 2026, as well as being awarded Highly Commended with my "Bluebells at Sunrise" image that is included in the portfolio. I also am pleased to have six other photographs included in the Edition 14 coffee table book.

The BWPA is the most prestigious British nature photography competition, attracting over 13,000 entries in the 2026 edition of the competition. There are 11 main categories, with a winner, runner up and highly commended awards given. To be awarded one of the 11 winning placements is something I am extremely proud of.

In this blog post, I will share the portfolio, some stories about them, and describe how it feels to be included alongside some of the most inspirational photographers.

You can see the full BWPA 2026 Winners Gallery here. Huge congratulations to all other photographers who have been awarded or included in the book!

The Winning Portfolio — BWPA British Seasons 2026

My portfolio that I entered for British Seasons shows British woodlands throughout the seasons, quite aptly named "Woodlands Throughout the Year".

I'm so pleased to show our magnificent woodlands in this portfolio category, and visualise the significant changes that happen through a year. Our woodlands are precious and delicate. I hope by showcasing them, we further our protection of them and cherish them for generations to come.

I described the work as follows:

"Across four distinct moments captured in British woodlands, the seasons unfold in atmospheric beauty: gentle sunbeams illuminate bluebells in springtime fog, summer's vivid greens shimmer beneath misty canopies, autumn paints beech leaves in gold, and winter transforms a riverside scene into a frosted tranquillity.

Together, these scenes reflect nature's cycle in Britain, marking the progression of time in Britain's ever-changing forests. I feel so lucky, as photography brings me into direct rhythm with the seasons — giving me a front-row view of the spectacular annual changes that happen around us."

Spring: 'Springtime Sunbeams'

In the spring photograph, I chose a previously unshared bluebells and beech photograph from an incredibly memorable morning in a small Chilterns beechwood. The light is the real highlight in this photograph, lighting up the beechwood interior in the most spectacular colours. The purple flowers glow, the vivid fresh leaves stand out and the light provides a white layer of piercing beauty through the composition, softening the distant trees.

This moment was truly magical to watch unfold. Whilst I was capturing photographs, I was mostly just enjoying it with my own eyes. I know how rare this convergence of conditions is, so soaking it up and watching it was a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.

I captured this photograph with my Sony a7R IV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens.

Camera settings: 1/13s, f/11, ISO 100 at 56mm focal length, on a tripod.

This photograph was also awarded "Highly Commended" in the Wild Woods category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026 — Edition 14.

Sunbeams rake through morning mist in a beech woodland in the Chilterns, Oxfordshire, carpeted with bluebells at peak bloom. The low-angled light catches individual shafts between smooth grey trunks, lifting the violet floor against a pale, fog-softened interior. A fallen branch in the mid-ground anchors the composition without disrupting the stillness. Buy this print →

This photograph depicts a beechwood with a stunning carpet of bluebells, where sunbeams shine into the woodland from the side. The vivid green leaves glow and the bluebells are backlit beautifully.

British Seasons Winning Portfolio, BWPA 2026 — Springtime Sunbeams

Summer: 'Sheltered in Summer'

For my Summer photograph, I chose a capture of beech trees that were backlit during a foggy sunrise. I just love the pillars of the beech trunks, and the deep greens of the leaves. Temperatures in summer are now often very high, and woodlands provide essential shelter and cooler temperatures for our wildlife. Trees are extremely efficient at absorbing heat, and helping cool our environment.

From a composition perspective, I love how these trunks work together in silhouette. The low growth on the central tree provides a key focal point to the photograph, and as you study it, your eye is drawn to various other aspects, such as the glowing light in the woodland void behind, the younger trees in the foreground and the deep greens at the edges of the frame. I also love the monotone style of this photograph, being blacks, greens and whites.

I captured this photograph with my Sony a7R IV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens.

Camera settings: 3.2s, f/11, ISO 100 at 48mm focal length, on a tripod.

Note: There was no wind on this morning, hence the use of a long shutter speed without impact on the photograph. I wanted to ensure the light was "glowing" through the trees, and that the trees were silhouetted.

For this Summer photograph, I captured beech trees that were backlit during a foggy sunrise. I just love the pillars of the beech trunks, and the deep greens of the leaves. Temperatures in summer are now often very high, and woodlands provide essential shelter and cooler temperatures for our wildlife. Trees are extremely efficient at absorbing heat, and helping cool our environment.
From a composition perspective, I love how these trunks work together in silouhette. The low growth on the central tree provides a key focal point to the photograph, and as you study it, your eye is drawn to various other aspects, such as the glowing light in the woodland void behind, the younger trees in the foreground and the deep greens at the edges of the frame. I also love the monotone style of this photograph, being blacks, greens and whites.
I captured this photograph with my Sony A7RIV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art lens.
Camera Settings were 3.2s, f/11, ISO100 at 48mm focal length on a tripod.
Note: There was no wind on this morning, hence the use of a long shutter speed without impact on the photograph. I wanted to ensure the light was "glowing" through the trees, and that the trees were silouhetted. — For this Summer photograph, I captured beech trees that were backlit during a foggy sunrise. I just love the pillars of the beech trunks, and the deep greens of the leaves. Temperatures in summer are now often very high, and woodlands provide essential shelter and cooler temperatures for our wildlife. Trees are extremely efficient at absorbing heat, and helping cool our environment. From a composition perspective, I love how these trunks work together in silouhette. The low growth on the central tree provides a key focal point to the photograph, and as you study it, your eye is drawn to various other aspects, such as the glowing light in the woodland void behind, the younger trees in the foreground and the deep greens at the edges of the frame. I also love the monotone style of this photograph, being blacks, greens and whites. I captured this photograph with my Sony A7RIV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art lens. Camera Settings were 3.2s, f/11, ISO100 at 48mm focal length on a tripod. Note: There was no wind on this morning, hence the use of a long shutter speed without impact on the photograph. I wanted to ensure the light was "glowing" through the trees, and that the trees were silouhetted. Buy this print →

British Seasons Winning Portfolio, BWPA 2026 — Sheltered in Summer

Autumn: 'Autumn Gold'

For my Autumn capture, I included this photograph of beech trees beside a woodland path. The trees were well into the autumn cycle, turning golden on the edges, providing that magical touch that the seasonal change brings. The bough that leans over the path was stunning, showing its internal branch structure leaning over into the light. The fog fills the scene, glowing from the sunrise light, highlighting the colour changes that us photographers love in this season!

From a composition perspective, the key feature here is the main tree leaning over the path, and the path itself as a leading line. It draws the eye into the scene and invites you to imagine what it feels like to be there. In the foreground there are other tree branches and leaves filling the outer edges of the composition, further adding interest in all areas of this photograph.

I captured this photograph with my Sony a7R IV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens.

Camera settings: 1/2s, f/8, ISO 100 at 48mm focal length, on a tripod.

The autumn colours were truly spectacular in this woodland in the Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire. The deep late autumn greens turning into gold at the edges, just at this transition into winter. The fog was thick enough to help soften the background, however left enough light and detail through to give the scene wonderful depth. The result is an almost painterly scene that invites you to walk down the path and explore this woodland further. Buy this print →

British Seasons Winning Portfolio, BWPA 2026 — Autumn Gold

Winter: 'Winter Whiteout'

For my winter photograph we move to the Scottish Highlands. I captured this photograph on a river that is surrounded on both sides by beautiful lichen and moss covered trees. The winters up in Scotland often have snow, however it is unpredictable and varies significantly in 'type'. I was fortunate at this time as it was very thick snow, and very powdery. This meant it covered every single branch and crevice along this river scene, turning it absolutely white. You can barely see any colour, except slight hints of green on the river banks. This is then 'doubled' by the calm river reflecting it all, making the whole scene a winter wonderland. This snow soon melted, as the temperature swung a massive 22 degrees from -11 to +11 in just one day.

From a composition perspective, I love how all of the branches lean into the central part of the photograph. This leads the eye to where a couple of trees lean out over the river in the distance, which are reflected in the calm ripples of the river.

I captured this photograph with my Sony a7R IV paired with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens.

Camera settings: 1/25s, f/8, ISO 100 at 54mm focal length, on a tripod.

Snow covers every branch on this scene from the Scottish Highlands, along a river that feeds the famous Loch Morlich in the Cairngorms National Park. A truly winter wonderland scene. Buy this print →

British Seasons Winning Portfolio, BWPA 2026 — Winter Whiteout

The other photographs in the BWPA 2026 book — Edition 14

I'm also extremely happy to say I have six other images included in the BWPA coffee table book. I've included these below, each with a caption.

An incredible display of mushrooms and fungi on this fallen beech stump. Captured in The Chilterns, near Henley, Oxfordshire, England. Buy this print →

Where Pixies Dwell — Fungi grows in abundance on this fallen beech stump. BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

The lower branches of this Beech tree stand alone against it's neighbouring trunks. Golden leaves stand out against the fog, creating a brilliant focal point. Buy this print →

Autumn Gold — A beech tree retains its lower golden foliage against thick fog and neighbouring tree trunks. BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

A temperature inversion buries a wooded valley beneath dense fog, leaving the lone clump of trees on the Brightwell Barrow hilltop isolated against a pale winter sky. Bare deciduous canopies pierce the fog layer in the foreground, receding in tonal gradients toward the distant hill. Shot from low drone altitude above the Thames Valley in Oxfordshire at first light, the panoramic frame distils the scene to three horizontal bands: tree, fog, hill. Black and white works so well here, dissolving the scene of stark blues and whites into beautiful monochrome.

Whilst the crop here is shown as 2:1 panoramic, this is available as a 3:2, filling more of the paper sizes I have available (A4, A3, A2). Let me know your preference when ordering. — A temperature inversion buries a wooded valley beneath dense fog, leaving the lone clump of trees on the Brightwell Barrow hilltop isolated against a pale winter sky. Bare deciduous canopies pierce the fog layer in the foreground, receding in tonal gradients toward the distant hill. Shot from low drone altitude above the Thames Valley in Oxfordshire at first light, the panoramic frame distils the scene to three horizontal bands: tree, fog, hill. Black and white works so well here, dissolving the scene of stark blues and whites into beautiful monochrome. Whilst the crop here is shown as 2:1 panoramic, this is available as a 3:2, filling more of the paper sizes I have available (A4, A3, A2). Let me know your preference when ordering. Buy this print →

In a Sea of Mist — Mist blankets the Oxfordshire landscape, where the sunrise casts shadows into the mist through the bare trees. Shown in black and white. BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

The purple of the bluebells and greens of the beech trees are strikingly beautiful in this Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) capture from West Woods in England. ICM is somewhat of a contentious subject in landscape photography, often with conflicting opinions on it. For me, sometimes, it works. For this capture, I just love how it is still clear what the scene is of - allowing just enough room for imagination on what it would be like to stand in this scene. Buy this print →

Bluebells & Beech — Using ICM, these bluebells and beech trees dissolve into colour and simple forms, allowing the mind to imagine being there. BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

Beautiful old beech trees stand backlit from the golden sunrise, where bluebells carpet the woodland floor. A branch looks to be floating above the bluebells in the wonderful springtime conditions. The purple flowers of the native bluebells run into the distance towards the golden light of sunrise. Buy this print →

Floating above the Bluebells — BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

A roe deer stands startled in this beautiful beechwood, surrounded by green leaves and bluebells. A stunning springtime capture. Captured in Micheldever Woodland, England. Buy this print →

Startled at Sunrise — A roe deer pauses whilst amongst bluebells in this beechwood. BWPA 2026 Edition 14 book inclusion.

Just a final note — I'd like to say congratulations to all of the other awarded entrants, the gallery is truly incredible this year and it's always incredibly humbling to be included alongside you.

Thanks to the organisers and judges: this is an incredibly important competition that highlights the importance, beauty and fragility of British wildlife and nature. The galleries have been a constant source of inspiration for me.

You can read about my experience in the BWPA 2025 here.