The Jury 2027
The jury changes each year to bring diverse perspectives, expertise, and aesthetic approaches to the judging process, ensuring variety and fairness.
Each year, the jury is newly assembled. Experienced nature photographers, dedicated conservationists, biologists, and respected figures from the photography industry contribute their trained eye, professional expertise, and passion for nature and photography to the evaluation of the submitted images. The judging process takes place in two stages: First, each juror independently reviews and rates the entries in a digital preselection phase. This is followed by a multi-day, in-person jury meeting, where the final selection is made through in-depth discussion and collective decision-making.
The jury's decision is final and cannot be contested.
Chris Kaula
Chris is a biologist and professional nature photographer based in Hesse, Germany. Through his work, he aims to inspire people to appreciate local wildlife and draw attention to species that often go unnoticed. For him, photography is more than capturing beautiful moments: it is a way to tell stories, share knowledge, and raise awareness of the need to protect nature. He combines scientific knowledge with authentic insights into the lives of wild animals. In doing so, he hopes to deepen people's understanding of local wildlife and highlight its importance.
Thomas Wester
Thomas is known for his diverse portfolio of European nature photography. His passion for windsurfing and his interest in ornithology first led him to nature photography. His main areas of focus are landscape and bird photography, with a particular interest in exploring individual subjects in depth. Since 2021, he has been working professionally as a nature photographer, contributing to specialist magazines and offering workshops, coaching, and photography trips. He regularly sets out on photographic adventures with his wife Christina and, since 2024, their son Ben.
Florian Smit
Nature photography has accompanied Florian since his childhood. He completed his education as a photographer as one of the top graduates in Germany. In autumn 2015, he immediately set out on his own as a freelance nature photographer. Today, he is among the most renowned in his field, carrying out photography projects worldwide, receiving numerous awards in international competitions, and offering inspiring workshops as well as individual coaching. In addition, he writes for renowned magazines and shares his adventures through captivating live presentations.