“Striking” and “Unsettling” Winners of the Prince Albert II Foundation’s Environmental Photography Prize
The official selection for the 2026 Environmental Photography Prize has been unveiled by the Prince Albert II Foundation. Thirty-six photographs were shortlisted and seven photographs have been selected as award winners.
A flagship event among the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Environmental Photography Prize is celebrating its sixth year of showcasing the work of talented wildlife and conservation photographers dedicated to protecting the planet.
Environmental Photographer of the Year
With her beautiful photograph of a luminescent handprint on a sea turtle, wildlife photographer Britta Jaschinski has won the competition’s highest prize. The Environmental Photographer of the Year Award is given to one of the five category winners and comes with a €5,000 grant. Five winners will be receiving €1,000 while the People’s Choice Award and High School Students’ Choice Award winners will each win €500.
“It is a tremendous honour to be named Environmental Photographer 2026, selected by such a prestigious jury from among images of such high quality. My photography aims to highlight the fragility of species, but also the essential role of science in protecting our extraordinary wildlife,” says Britta Jaschinski.
The winning photograph shows a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) swimming underwater with a glowing human handprint on its back. The scene demonstrates a method for capturing forensic evidence to help catch poachers and animal traffickers. Special fluorescent powder dyes, photographed under ultraviolet light, reveal traces of hand and fingerprints, gunpowder residues, and other traces of human interference. Six of the world’s seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened, endangered, or critically endangered due to human persecution, habitat destruction, or marine pollution. Wildlife forensic experts Dr. Alexandra Thomas and Dr. Louise Gibson from the ZSL Wildlife Forensic Lab, London, are developing such methods to assist law enforcement.
“While traces of human presence can be unsettling, this image also tells a story of progress—innovation that gives a voice to wildlife, transforming evidence into a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering accountability,” says Britta Jaschinski. Her striking investigative photographs expose crimes against the environment and wildlife, calling for concrete action towards a more sustainable future. Her work has been published in the most prestigious international publications, including National Geographic, Time Magazine, and GEO.
“The environment cannot ask for help”
Sergio Pitamitz, wildlife and conservation photographer and National Geographic contributor, was this year’s president of the competition. Alongside the organizing team, he lended his expertise to ensuring compliance with ethical standards in environmental photography.
“The environment and wildlife cannot ask for help. The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Prize gives them a voice. The competition seeks images that are not only visually striking but also meaningful: photographs capable of informing, inspiring engagement, and raising awareness of the urgent challenges facing our planet,” says Sergio Pitamitz.
This year’s five categories were: Change Makers, Forests, Humanity vs. Nature, Ocean, Polar Regions, and Actors of Change. Each winner was selected by an international jury of renowned photographers and individuals committed to conservation.
Exhibition and Book
Winning photographs from the 2026 edition will be on display in Monaco from 28 May to 30 July 2026 on the Larvotto Promenade, before touring internationally. An upcoming book featuring the photographs and explanatory texts will be published by Skira Paris.
“Environmental photography has this unique ability to make realities that are sometimes distant feel concrete and urgent. By revealing both the beauty and the vulnerability of our planet, these images invite us to look more closely, to deepen our understanding, and to act with greater determination. Through this Prize, we hope to amplify the voices of those who bear witness on the ground and encourage a collective commitment to protecting life,” says Romain Ciarlet, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Next year’s Competition
Submissions for next year’s Environmental Photography Prize will be open on the Prince Albert II Foundation’s website from 1 September to 1 November 2026.
