Photo competition prizes pollinators

The 2024 Pollinator Photography Competition is now open.

Returning for its third year, the Competition encourages photographers to turn their attention to the finer details of the world around them and capture Australia’s bees or other pollinators.

First place wins $1500, with $750 for second, $500 for third and $750 for people’s choice.

The School Competition awards a primary and secondary school winner with a $500 class prize each.

Run by the Wheen Bee Foundation, the competition has become a highlight on the pollinator calendar receiving more than 500 entries each year.

Last year’s winner, Paul Harrop, said his winning photo was down to patience and a bit of luck.

“I was in the right place, right time,” said Mr Harrop, a retired primary school teacher from Brisbane’s south-west.

Mr Harrop was walking around Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha, where he is a volunteer guide, when he spotted the dronefly on a Gardenia Thunbergia Flower right next to the path.

He had his favourite Nikon D500 with a 105mm macro lens on hand ready to start snapping.

“I knew I was on to something good when I was able to get my lens close enough for a clear and sharp photo,” he said.

“The best photos tell a story, so I always make sure the pollinator’s eye is in focus and you can see where they are in the world.”

The Pollinator Photography Competition takes place in the lead-up to Australian Pollinator Week, a nine-day festival dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of pollinators and supporting their needs.

Australian Pollinator Week starts on 9 November and runs to 17 November.

The Pollinator Photography Competition is sponsored by iWooHoo, Flow Hive, the Centre for Bee Education, Bee School by Beechworth Honey and the Wheen Bee Foundation, Rotarians for Bees, NiSi Filters Australia and the Bee Friendly Farming program.

Winners will be chosen by a select panel of judges and announced in a Pollinator Photography Webinar on Thursday 14 November at 7.30pm AEDT.

The competition closes Monday 28 October at 5pm.

Submit an entry here. Read full terms and conditions here.