The Contest
The ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest returns for a seventh year! Whether you’re an amateur or professional photographer, ROM invites you to share your captivating images of the natural world for a chance to win some amazing prizes and have your photograph on display at the Museum.
Open to all residents of Ontario, read on to find out about this year’s incredible prizes and how to enter.
Contest generously supported by:
Youth Category (Age 13-17)
Contest Period:
November 20, 2021 to April 24, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST
How to enter:
Share your wildlife image from your unlocked Twitter or Instagram account and include @ROMtoronto & #ROMwpyJR
Grand Prize:
- Nikon Z50 Kit courtesy of Henry’s. The Z 50 takes full advantage of Nikon's larger Z-mount, providing creators of all types with the most innovative optical system for superior image and video quality.
- One-year ROM Curator’s Circle Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
- The winning photograph will be displayed at the ROM
Honourable Mention Prizes (x2):
- One-year ROM Family Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
Download Full Youth Contest Rules (PDF)
Adult Category (Ages 18+)
Contest Period:
November 20, 2021 to April 24, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST
How to enter:
Share your wildlife image from your unlocked Twitter or Instagram account and include @ROMtoronto & #ROMwpyON
Grand Prize:
- Nikon Z 5 Kit courtesy of Henry’s. Push the limits of your creativity with Z 5, an innovative full-frame mirrorless camera built around Nikon's revolutionary Z mount. Compact yet powerful, simple yet sophisticated, it's ready to grow with you. Whatever your skill level, the Z 5 delivers detailed imagery, precision autofocus and the tools you need to be as creative as possible.
- One-year ROM Curator’s Circle Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
- The winning photograph will be displayed at the ROM
Honourable Mention Prizes (x2):
- One-year ROM Family Membership. Enjoy unlimited free access to exhibitions and galleries all year long, attend exclusive previews and events, Member-only discounts, plus so much more.
Download Full Adult Contest Rules (PDF)
Judges
Mark Peck | Manager, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity
Mark Peck is an award-winning wildlife and nature photographer. Mark will be introducing the WPY exhibit and the role of photography in conservation while sharing his expertise throughout the community.
Mark is the Manager, Schad Gallery of Biodiversity and formerly a technician in the ROM Department of Natural History, during which he was in charge of overseeing the ornithology collection. He serves as a committee member and ROM liaison for the Ontario Bird Records Committee, and as a consultant for Ontario Birds / Ontario Field Ornithologists. He is also the co-coordinator of the Ontario Nest Records Scheme and Program Director of the Toronto Ornithological Club. Mark wrote the text for the recently published: The Extraordinary Beauty of Birds, Designs Patterns and Details by Deborah Samuel.
Tina Weltz | Digitization Photographer
Tina joined ROM in November 2017 as the Digitization Photographer where she is currently working with the Digitization team to capture objects from the diverse ROM Collections in order to be displayed through the ROM’s Online Collections. But her photography career extends far beyond the walls of the museum. In April 2002, Tina joined the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC), volunteering as board member on both her Regional and national Boards. She held the positions of PPOC President 2014-2016. Tina has received several awards throughout her career, most memorable Ontario Photographer of the Year both in 2015 and 2017. In 2010 Tina received the designation of Masters of Photographic Arts. Eligibility for this prestigious designation requires the photographer to exhibit exemplary image-making skills in competition, as well as a volunteer commitment to the PPOC, and promotion of the photographic industry in general.
Vincent Luk | Co-Founder of Hello Foto Inc.
Co-Founder of Hello Foto Inc, Vincent Luk has considerable experience working with local communities and organizations in sharing their stories through different visual mediums. His award-winning photography and video work have taken him across the globe, and his photographs have been exhibited in numerous galleries around Toronto.
As the Program Manager and instructor for the Fleming College Environmental Visual Communications Post-Graduate Program based at ROM. Vincent mentors future wildlife photographers and videographers who are passionate about environmental issues.
David Coulson | Conservation Photojournalist
David Coulson is a visual storyteller based in Toronto, Canada. His work explores the complex and indivisible relationships between people and planet and has taken him around the world documenting the challenges, successes and resilience of conservation initiatives. Through words, photography and film, David hopes to reveal our profound connections to the earth, our shared home, and the urgent need to protect it.
David has been recognized by the Magenta Foundation as a 2019 emerging photographer. He has been featured in Beside Magazine, Canadian Wildlife, and Canadian Geographic, and has worked with organizations such as the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Ontario Nature, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and ROM. Currently, David is hoping to inspire and train the next generation of concerned storytellers as an instructor at Fleming College’s Environmental Visual Communication Program, based out of ROM.
Last Year's Winners
Photo credits:
Top Left: #ROMwpyON Grand Prize Winner: Red Fox Tossing Squirrel © Forest Qiao; Top Right: #ROMwpyJR Grand Prize Winner: Single Swan © Owen Ritchie; 2nd row left: Moose Portait © Oli Moorman; 2nd row right: Jax Nasimok © Studying the Marsh; Bottom row left: Flying into the Fire © Yun Wang; Bottom row right: Breakfast Time © Ania Avadanei.