Exactly three decades ago, Stephen Freligh was shaping stories as a photo editor for the National Wildlife Federation, while his wife, Deborah, was bringing nature to life as an art director and illustrator.
But their love for nature and wildlife ran deeper than their jobs could express.
Nature’s Best Photography (NBP) was born from that desire, a vision to showcase the world’s raw beauty through the power of visual storytelling. Together with their freelance editor, Jim Watson, they transformed an idea into a publication that would soon become a global stage for nature’s most breathtaking moments—one frame at a time.
“Our inspiration is the community of nature photographers who travel the globe to document its beauty and diversity,” says Stephen, as he talks about the fuel that drives NBP. “The powerful images and films they bring home awaken our desire to explore, enjoy and conserve the natural world.”
Thirty years on, NBP is more than just a competition—it has revolutionized the way we see and connect with the natural world. Beyond showcasing the beauty of nature, these images also ignite conversations, encourage conservation efforts and inspire a deeper appreciation for the world we share.
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From breathtaking landscapes to rare wildlife encounters, Nature’s Best Photography has spent three decades curating a visual archive that chronicles both the splendor and fragility of our planet.
Now, as it marks its 30th anniversary, we look back at how this contest became an institution—shaping careers, shifting perspectives and changing the way we experience nature itself.
Nature’s Best Photography Was Always About Storytelling With An Impact
Stephen and Deborah had spent years immersed in the world of conservation-driven photography at the National Wildlife Federation.
But they saw something missing—a dedicated platform that didn’t just publish nature photography but celebrated it as an art form, giving it the reverence and reach it deserved.
“What separated us then from the large assortment of nature-related publications on the market was our close attention to high-quality photography and printing those images with the best papers and inks available,” Stephen explains.
“We felt these dedicated documentarians who spend countless hours in the field deserved their work to be displayed as true to the scene as it was experienced the moment the camera shutter was pressed.”
What began as a vision soon gained momentum. The competition that followed turned Nature’s Best Photography into one of the most prestigious awards programs in the world.
Nature’s Best Photography Continues To Broaden Our Perspective On Nature
From the very beginning, it was clear that the contest attracted entries that resonated with the community.
These were more than photographs—they were entire stories captured in a single frame, capable of inspiring a deeper connection with the natural world.
Daisy Gilardini, the 2016 Grand Prize winner, puts it best, “As environmental photographers, it is our duty to capture the beauty of places and species at risk and raise awareness through the universal power of imagery.”
Photographers from around the world echoed this sense of responsibility. Luis Vilariño, who won the 2023 Grand Prize with a volcanic explosion beneath stormy Icelandic skies, says, “Nature photography should inspire changes in society that involve and mobilize people to create a better and more sustainable world.”
Then come the images that immerse viewers in the scene — like Thomas Vijayan’s electrifying shot of a grizzly bear locked in eye contact with a leaping salmon at Brooks Falls in Alaska. Captured with impeccable timing, the photograph reveals a predator’s focus in the raw theatre of the wild.
Vijayan, who recently won The Nature Photography Contest’s Photographer of the Year 2024 award, notes, “You can even see the eye contact between the bear and the fish.”
And just when you think you’ve seen the best nature has to offer, the next year’s submissions prove otherwise.
“Year after year, I would summarize our latest competition as the best we had ever seen,” Stephen reflects, “only to be corrected by the following year’s entries and another amazing new collection of images.”
The Real-World Impact Of Nature’s Best Photography
One of the most tangible examples of NBP’s impact in action was their 22-year partnership with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. For over two decades, award-winning photos—often printed nearly life-size—were displayed in grand halls visited by millions.
The exhibition’s reach was staggering, and its impact deep. “Those were truly ‘Nights at the Museum’ that celebrated people with passion and purpose,” Stephen recalls.
In more recent years, the contest has extended its footprint to global venues—with exhibitions from Europe to Asia—and a permanent home at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Missouri.
But perhaps more impressive than the geography is the consistency of its mission — to ignite conversations that endure beyond the gallery.
Youth Photographer of the Year, Ashleigh Scully, for example, began giving presentations on environmental issues before finishing high school.
“I have watched many grow from early success in their teens to great accomplishments in their twenties and beyond,” says Stephen. “Both Deb and I often feel like proud parents, blessed to be part of their journey.”
Alongside their flagship international competition, they’ve launched initiatives like Nature’s Best Backyards and Nature’s Best National Parks—invitations for photographers to see wonder right outside their doorsteps.
“I wish more people understood they are truly making a difference in the way the general public views nature,” remarks Stephen. “They are the messengers who will motivate action.”
10 Photos That Capture Everything That Nature’s Best Photography Stands For Today
As Nature’s Best Photography celebrates its 30th anniversary, Stephen and Deborah Freligh are focused on carrying their vision forward without losing the core values that made it thrive.
But looking ahead, the founders know evolution is essential.
“Our most important objective,” Stephen says, “is to involve a new generation of Nature’s Best advocates who share our same principles, yet bring new ideas that will evolve and grow NBP for the next 30 years and more.”
That future is already beginning to take shape. Past youth winners like Ashleigh Scully and Zander Galli have grown into articulate ambassadors for wildlife and the environment.
Meanwhile, the global reach of the contest continues to grow—with more submissions, more categories and more diversity of perspective than ever before.
Still, at its core, the ethos remains unchanged—celebrate nature, honor those who document it and remind the world what’s worth preserving. “Perhaps the first step today should be to encourage everyone reading this feature to join us on the journey to bring nature into focus,” says Stephen.
Nature’s Best Photography is accepting submissions for its 2025 edition now until the end of March, and people of all ages and levels of expertise can enter here.
Do these amazing photos from 30 years of Nature’s Best Photography draw you closer to the natural world and the wonderful creatures around us? Take a 2-minute quiz to see where you stand on the Connectedness to Nature Scale.
