Say cheese! Belfast Zoo launches 38th Annual Photography Competition

(L-R): Tara Molloy, Manager at Photo Experience Ltd, Brian the Lion, Belfast Zoo Mascot, Julie Bryans, Commercial Support Officer at Belfast Zoo.

From wild encounters to whimsical moments, Belfast Zoo is calling all photographers to snap their best shots this summer as it unveils its 38th Annual Photography Competition.

Whether you’re a seasoned snapper, a weekend wanderer with a camera, or a keen young photographer just starting out, the much-anticipated contest is back and better than ever — running from 5 June to 27 September 2025.

Open to visitors of all ages and abilities, the competition invites entrants to capture the wild, the wonderful, and even the downright hilarious from one of Northern Ireland’s most cherished attractions.

This year, the competition boasts a refreshed selection of categories, including a brand-new conservation-themed option:

• Best Photo Taken by a Professional Photographer

• Best Photo Taken by a Zoo Visitor

• Best “Wildlife in Need” Picture (new conservation-themed category)

• Best Photo of Zoo Landscapes or Gardens

• Best Photo Taken by a Person Under 18

• Best Humorous Caption (honorary category – no prizes, just pride and a possible feature)

Participants can submit their entries online through the Belfast Zoo website, with winners set to be announced in October 2025.

Backed this year by Photo Experience Ltd, the Zoo’s official photography operator, the contest offers a range of exciting prizes, including cash awards, trophies, family tickets, Zoo goodie bags, and even the chance to have winning images featured in Zoo Craic magazine and displayed throughout the Zoo itself.

For those serious about getting the perfect shot, Photographer Access Days will be held on 25 July and 17 August — giving shutterbugs exclusive early access, a more relaxed environment, and plenty of uninterrupted time to find that magical moment. (Note: sessions must be pre-booked in advance via the Zoo’s website.)

Julie Bryans, Belfast Zoo’s Commercial Support Officer, said:

“Each year, the competition brings out amazing creativity and talent from our visitors. From heart-warming wildlife shots to beautiful scenery and hilarious moments, the entries help tell the story of the Zoo through a unique lens.”

So whether it’s a lion’s lazy yawn, a cheeky lemur, or a lush garden in full bloom, the message is simple: charge your batteries, dust off your lens, and start snapping!

How to enter:

• Visit Belfast Zoo’s official website

• Capture your favourite moments during a Zoo visit

• Submit your best photos before 27 September 2025

• Check back in October to see if you’re a winner

Don’t miss your chance to show Northern Ireland — and the Zoo itself — your wild side.