Asmund Keilen of Norway takes top Nature Photographer of the Year 2025 prize

Norwegian photographer Asmund Keilen's Sundance, featuring a swift in contrast against a reflection of the sun, is the overall winner and the Birds category winner of Nature Photographer of the Year 2025. Photo / Asmund Keilen

A moment of absentmindedness and a chance reflection inspired Norwegian photographer Asmund Keilen to create an incredible image to win the Nature Photographer of the Year.

“The photo was taken just outside Oslo on a warm summer day,” explains Keilen. “I have a stubborn habit of leaving my coffee cup on the roof of our old Mercedes when I open the door ... That day, as I was backing out of the driveway, the cup fell over, miraculously remaining on the roof.

“I reached out to pick it up ... Tiny orange birch seeds had fallen overnight on the blue roof of the car, and the summer sun reflected in them, alongside swifts dancing in the sky. Freedom seemed to take shape in chaos.”

Using multiple exposures in camera, Keilen was able to create what he calls “an impression of a reflection – or perhaps a reflection of an impression” capturing a single swift against the orange sun.

The judges were impressed with Keilen’s Sundance, highlighting his impeccable timing to align the bird against the glowing summer sun as the essence to this picture.

“At first glance, this mesmerising image appears to depict leaves adrift in a cosmic sky – but on closer look, each shape reveals itself as a bird in graceful flight,” said judges’ chairman Tin Man Lee.

“With its ethereal colours, perfect balance, and otherworldly atmosphere, the image evokes a dreamlike sense of wonder that feels both universal and timeless.”

Keilin’s photograph was chosen from a record-breaking 24,781 entries from photographers in over 96 countries in this year’s competition, announced at the Nature Talks Photo Festival in Amsterdam earlier this month.

Winners were also chosen across 13 individual categories, with Keilin also taking out the Birds section.

“Every photo competition brings its own challenges, and some categories spark more debate than others,” jury member Kristel Schneider said.

“This year, our discussions touched on impact, originality, and the very definition of nature photography. I’m delighted that many winners this year pushed boundaries – through creative vision, innovative technique, or the courage to show nature from a fresh perspective.”

The Nature Photographer of the Year competition is organised by Nature Talks, the organisation behind the annual Nature Talks Photo Festival – a comprehensive nature photography event featuring a wide range of genres, including macro, landscape, underwater, wildlife and storytelling, bringing creators together for educational talks by world-class photographers, Q&A sessions and masterclasses.

The festival also supports NGOs and other organisations in helping nature, choosing Photographers Against Wildlife Crime for the event in 2025.

Entries for next year’s event open on December 8. Details for that and all the winners and runners-up from this year’s contest can be seen at www.naturephotographeroftheyear.com.

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