Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize Presented in Budapest
On 26 February 2026, the annual award ceremony and exhibition opening of “The Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize”, organized by Varázslatos Magyarország, took place at the Biodome of the Fővárosi Állat- és Növénykert in Budapest. The event marked the conclusion of the 2025 competition season and brought together leading representatives of Hungarian nature photography, conservation professionals, and invited guests.
The Biodome hosted the gala for the second consecutive year, providing a controlled indoor environment designed to reflect natural ecosystems. The venue’s architectural and spatial features allowed the organizers to integrate the exhibition into a large-scale, immersive setting, reinforcing the link between nature photography and environmental awareness.
The Mission of Hungarian Nature Photography
Since its launch in 2010, the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize competition has positioned itself as a long-term professional platform rather than a single-event contest. The structure of the competition spans eight months, during which participating photographers document the cyclical processes of nature. A professional jury evaluates submissions monthly, assigning points across categories. The cumulative ranking determines the final annual results.
The competition’s declared objective is to provide Hungarian nature photographers with continuous opportunities for professional development while promoting environmental consciousness among the public. The Grand Prize winner receives the symbolic Golden Crane statuette, awarded to the first place of the overall annual ranking.
Opening Speeches and Institutional Background
The evening was hosted by television presenter Gundel Takács Gábor. Following the introduction, Dr. Sós Endre, Director General of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, addressed the audience. He emphasized the institutional role of the Zoo in hosting cultural and conservation-related events that connect scientific work with public engagement.
Gaál Péter, founder and owner of Varázslatos Magyarország, outlined the philosophy behind the organization. He described the competition as a comprehensive support system for nature photographers, combining exhibition opportunities, publication platforms, and professional recognition. He also acknowledged the contribution of team members Farády Anna, Dankovics-Szabó Noémi, and Körmendi Zsuzsanna, and expressed appreciation for the work of former managing director Kövesi Eszter.
International Jury and Conservation Focus
The professional standing of the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize is reinforced by its jury panel. Although nature photographer Litauszki Tibor was unable to attend, other jury members participated in the ceremony, including internationally recognized photojournalist Britta Jaschinski, nature photographers Máté Bence and Suhayda László, conservation expert and photographer Szilágyi Attila, wildlife filmmaker Tóth Zsolt Marcell, and ifj. Vitray Tamás, editor of National Geographic Magyarország Magazin.
As a featured guest, Britta Jaschinski spoke about the role of documentary photography in addressing wildlife exploitation. She outlined how visual storytelling contributes to debates surrounding trophy hunting and wildlife trade, including legislative initiatives in the United Kingdom concerning trophy import bans. Her presentation highlighted the intersection of visual media and policy-making processes.
Tribute to Keleti Éva
During the ceremony, the organizers and attendees commemorated Keleti Éva, who passed away recently and had served as a jury member of Varázslatos Magyarország for fourteen years. Although primarily known for her work outside nature photography, her professional perspective contributed to the jury’s evaluation criteria. The tribute emphasized her belief that strong photography centers on life, light, and decisive moments.
Strategic Partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute
Kádár András, Secretary General of the Jane Goodall Intézet, presented the evolving partnership between the institute and Varázslatos Magyarország. The cooperation began with a special magazine issue dedicated to Jane Goodall and has since expanded to joint exhibition initiatives.
As part of this collaboration, the exhibition “Jane90 – Stories of a Life” will be accessible again at the Zoo’s Magic Mountain (Varázshegy), where visitors can view it alongside the Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize exhibition.
Professional Lecture on Visual Storytelling
Prior to the award announcements, wildlife filmmaker Török Zoltán delivered a presentation titled “Story Within the Image – Image Within the Story.” He examined the balance between aesthetic composition and narrative content in nature photography and wildlife filmmaking. Drawing from domestic and international productions, he analyzed how visual structure supports or challenges storytelling objectives.
Grand Prize Winners of 2025
The most anticipated segment of the evening was the announcement of the overall winners. The 2025 Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize and the Golden Crane statuette were awarded to Daróczi Csaba.
Born in 1969 in Debrecen, Daróczi has been active in nature photography for decades while working as a geography and physical education teacher in Soltvadkert. He has previously won the Varázslatos Magyarország Grand Prize multiple times and has received the title “Nature Photographer of the Year” on eight occasions. In 2025, he reached the VM podium for the thirteenth time, marking his fourth Golden Crane award.
Second place was awarded to Lóki Csaba, born in 1981 in Pécs. Active in nature photography for over twenty years, he focuses primarily on bird photography and field observation. This marks his third podium placement in the competition since its inception in 2010.
Third place went to Hogya István, originally from Miskolc. With a background rooted in rural wildlife observation, he has increasingly participated in national competitions in recent years. His work often centers on birds and large mammals, combining field-based knowledge with technical development.
Categories and Special Awards
The competition includes permanent categories such as “Natural Beauties,” “World of Birds,” “Other Animals,” and “Compact and Mobile,” as well as thematic categories including “Human Impact on Nature,” “Family Moments – National Geographic,” “Images from Around the World,” and the video category “Nature in Motion.”
An additional seasonal category in 2025 focused on “Flowers of Our Waters – The Mayfly Swarming in Hungary,” reflecting ecological phenomena specific to Hungarian habitats.
Special awards were also presented. The Jane Goodall Institute Special Award went to Ravasz Balázs for “Óvóbácsi.” The Fotoplus Special Award was granted to Herpai Imre for “Tollászkodás.” The CEWE Special Award was presented to Ekler László for “Mutatványosok.” The naturArt Bágyi Ferenc Memorial Prize was awarded to Hogya István for “Telihold.” The audience prize was won by Pászthy Dávid.
Exhibition at the Biodome and National Tour
Following the ceremony, visitors explored the exhibition installed within the Biodome’s interior spaces. The display presents 206 photographs by 56 exhibiting photographers, including the top three portfolios and selected category winners. The exhibition also offers a visual overview of Hungary’s ten national parks, highlighting habitats and species diversity.
In 2026, the exhibition will tour eight locations across Hungary, including Szombathely, Szeged, Debrecen, Zalaegerszeg, Poroszló, Mosonmagyaróvár, and additional venues in Budapest. A parallel CEWE x Varázslatos Magyarország traveling exhibition will feature 31 works by Grand Prize winners and special award recipients.
At the first venue in Magic Mountain, the exhibition will be displayed alongside a curated selection from the “Jane90 – Stories of a Life” exhibition, reinforcing the thematic connection between photography and conservation advocacy.
Participation Statistics and Professional Scope
During the 2025 competition season, nearly 200 photographers submitted more than 3,000 images. The ranking from positions 1 to 50 reflects a year-long performance-based evaluation system. Works by photographers placed between 50th and 4th positions were presented in a projected screening during the ceremony.
The Hungarian Nature Photography Grand Prize has, over nearly two decades, established itself as a structured, multi-stage competition model within the national photographic community. By combining professional jury evaluation, public exhibitions, thematic categories, and institutional partnerships, it integrates artistic practice with environmental communication.
The 2025 season concluded in Budapest with the presentation of the Golden Crane, while the 2026 exhibition tour continues to extend the reach of Hungarian nature photography across the country.
