International Garden Photographer of the Year continues to be one of the world’s most respected photography competitions and exhibition, particularly within the genres of garden, plant, flower and botanical photography.

The main competition closes on October 31 every year. Winners are announced at the opening of the launch exhibition, the following February.

There are regular main competition categories each year including favourites such as; ‘The Beauty of Plants’, ‘Beautiful Gardens’ and ‘Abstract Views’ plus there are 5 photo projects and numerous seasonal special awards – for example: ‘Captured at Kew’.

Entries are welcome from amateurs and professionals alike, from any country in the world. The competition as a whole attracts thousands of individual entries annually, from across the world.

There is a fee for entering the competition which helps to cover the expense of administration, prizes and the exhibition tour. This fee is £16 for 4 single images (‘Single Entry’), or £30 for a portfolio of 6 images. Sometimes, free-to-enter Special Awards are run, please check each Special Award’s individual entry page for terms/pricing.

How to Enter

Captured at Kew

Help celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in this unique Special Award photography competition – ‘Captured at Kew’. Returning for IGPOTY 18, this is a well-established competition partnership and winning is highly coveted by entrants.

Did you know? – The very first IGPOTY exhibition launch was held at Kew Gardens, and a curated selection of the latest awarded photos are normally displayed there in February each year. Select awarded photos from this ‘Captured at Kew’ competition, will form an exclusive exhibition, alongside the IGPOTY 18 exhibition launch at Kew Gardens in February 2025.

Entries to ‘Captured at Kew’ this year are free-to-enter (maximum of 8x free image slots per adult), in order to encourage more people to take part and to celebrate the beauty of Kew Gardens. Please note: entering this competition does not in itself allow free entry to Kew Gardens.

Prizes

• First prize:

IGPOTY award certificate,
Your image goes on display at the IGPOTY 18 – exhibition launch at Kew Gardens,
Gift bag supplied by RBG Kew (exact contents TBC).

• Second prize:

IGPOTY award certificate,
Your image goes on display at the IGPOTY 18 – exhibition launch at Kew Gardens,
Gift bag supplied by RBG Kew (exact contents TBC).

• Third prize:

IGPOTY award certificate,
Your image goes on display at the IGPOTY 18 – exhibition launch at Kew Gardens,
Gift bag supplied by RBG Kew (exact contents TBC).