Photo Contest 2025-2026

15th Annual ENVS Undergraduate Photography Contest (2025-2026)

This year, we received 165 photos.

Congratulations to the winners of our 15th Annual Environmental Photography Contest

1st prize ($150): Noah Sadrian, A29, Environmental Studies

A cheetah running towards the camera who's eyes locked onto the telephoto lens

Cheetah in Motion

Location: Namibia

I took this photo on a National Geographic student program trip through Namibia. This photo captures a cheetah running towards my camera who's eyes locked onto my telephoto lens.

2nd prize ($100): Jack Smart, A28, International Relations and Arabic literature and Culture Studies

The image shows historic farmhouses set against the dramatic peaks of the Grand Teton National Park

Mormon Row

Location: Grand Teton National Park

This image shows historic farmhouses set against the dramatic peaks of the Grand Teton National Park. The contrast between the small, simple buildings and the vast mountain range highlights the relationship between human settlement and the power of the natural landscape. Its significance reflects the history of rural life in the American West and the preservation of both cultural heritage and natural beauty.

3rd prize ($50): Ellie Heller, A29, Biology

Griffons drying on trees after rain while crows tug at their wing feathers in Bhutan

Leave Me Alone

Location: Gangtey Valley, Bhutan

Right after a big rainstorm in Gangtey Valley, Bhutan, around 25 griffons had come to dry their water-logged wings in the nearby trees and fence. However, a pair of nesting crows had made their nest nearby and wanted the griffons to leave. The crows, being so much smaller than the griffons, had no way to do this but to be as much of a nuissance as possible, and would grab the end of a griffon's wing feather and pull with their entire body weight, causing the griffons to snap at them.