Capture the Spirit of Trinidad and Tobago
Enter the BirdsCaribbean 2026 Conference Photo Contest!
Whether you’re using a professional camera, a smartphone, or anything in between, we invite you to capture and share the beauty, diversity, and unforgettable moments of Trinidad and Tobago through your unique perspective!
BirdsCaribbean is excited to announce the 2026 Conference Photography Contest, taking place alongside our 25th International Conference in Trinidad and Tobago. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or simply enjoy capturing special moments in nature, this is your chance to showcase the birds, wildlife, landscapes, and people that make the twin-island nation such a remarkable destination.
From the vibrant forests of the Northern Range and the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre to the wetlands, coastlines, and bird-rich habitats of Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago offers endless opportunities for stunning photography. Don’t have professional camera gear? No problem! Photos taken with smartphones and other mobile devices are warmly welcomed.
This contest is all about creativity, storytelling, and capturing memorable moments. Whether you’re exploring Trinidad and Tobago on one of our field trips, attending conference activities, or discovering the islands on your own, keep your camera ready—you never know when your next contest-winning photograph will appear!
Prizes and Recognition
Grand Prize
One outstanding photograph will be selected as the overall winner and receive a top-of-the-line Vortex Razor HD 27-60×85 (Angled) Spotting Scope (retail value of $2,399.99), generously donated by Vortex Optics and backed by their famous VIP Lifetime Warranty.
First-, Second-, and Third-Place winners in each category will receive Amazon gift cards valued at US$100, US$50, and US$25, respectively.
Winning photographs will be featured on BirdsCaribbean’s website, social media channels, and conference communications.
Contest Categories
Birds of Trinidad and Tobago
Celebrate Trinidad and Tobago’s unique avian heritage by photographing the islands’ incredible bird species, including its two endemics, diverse resident birds, and perhaps even some early migrants.
Landscapes and Nature
Showcase the beauty of Trinidad and Tobago’s forests, wetlands, coastlines, flora, and other native wildlife in their natural environments.
Please do not include photographs of pets, domestic animals, or captive wildlife.
Fun with Birds and People
Highlight the connections between people, birds, and nature. This category includes conference activities, field trips, conservation action, community engagement, and the joy of experiencing the natural world together.
If you choose to include people in your submission, you are responsible for obtaining the necessary verbal permission from those depicted. Entries must not include human nudity or images involving the harassment of wildlife.
What We’re Looking For
Our judges will be looking for photographs that demonstrate:
- Creativity and originality
- Technical excellence
- Strong composition
- Storytelling and emotional impact
- A celebration of Caribbean biodiversity and conservation
Whether it’s a rare bird encounter, a breathtaking landscape, a candid conference moment, or a striking wildlife portrait, we want to see the images that inspire you.
Ready to participate? Review the eligibility and contest rules below, then start capturing your BirdsCaribbean 2026 memories—we can’t wait to see Trinidad and Tobago through your lens!
Eligibility
- The BirdsCaribbean 2026 Conference Photography Contest is open to all conference participants aged 18 and over, regardless of residence or citizenship, provided participation is permitted under the laws of their jurisdiction.
- BirdsCaribbean Board Members, contest judges, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter.
Contest Rules
- Photos must be taken between July 16–30, 2026, during conference activities or personal exploration associated with the conference.
- Up to six entries per category (18 total).
- Images must be 2 MB or larger.
- Color and black-and-white images are welcome.
- Standard photo editing is permitted; however, AI-generated or substantially AI-altered images are not.
- The welfare of birds always comes first—please keep your distance and do not disturb birds, especially nesting birds.
- No audio playback or flash photography.
- Any camera system is welcome, including smartphones, point-and-shoot cameras, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and digiscoping equipment.
- All entries must be submitted through Flickr.
Submission Guidelines
All photos must be submitted via the photo-sharing site Flickr.
- Sign in to Flickr. Use your Yahoo!, Google, or Facebook account to log in to Flickr. If you don’t already have an account, you can create one for free.
- Join the BirdsCaribbean Flickr Group. From the BirdsCaribbean Flickr page, click Groups, scroll to BirdsCaribbean, and click Join.
- Upload your images. Click the Upload icon (the cloud with an upward-pointing arrow) in the top navigation bar and upload your photos.
- Tag your photos (Important!). Browse to each uploaded image and add the following two tags:
- BCPhotoContest2026
- One contest category tag: TTBirds, LandscapesandNature, or FunwithBirdsandPeople
- Please type the tags exactly as shown (or copy and paste them). Each photo should have two tags total.
- Complete the photo information.
- Include your name.
- Include the location where the photo was taken.
- Include the subject or title of the photo.
- Add a descriptive caption in the title or comments.
- Submit your photo to the BirdsCaribbean Flickr Group using the Send to Group function above the image.
- Verify your submission. Search Flickr for the tag BCPhotoContest2026 to confirm your photo has been uploaded successfully. To verify the category, search using both tags together. For example:
- BCPhotoContest2026 TTBirds
- BCPhotoContest2026 LandscapesandNature
- BCPhotoContest2026 FunwithBirdsandPeople
Submission Deadline: 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday, August 30th, 2026.
Judging and Prizes
A panel of birders, photographers, and scientists appointed by BirdsCaribbean will judge the contest.
For each category, the judges will select First-, Second-, and Third-Place winners. One photograph will also be selected as the Grand Prize Winner.
All judging decisions are final.
Terms and Legal Conditions
- By entering the contest, participants agree to indemnify BirdsCaribbean and its representatives against any third-party claims, losses, injuries, damages, or liabilities arising from participation in the competition.
- Each entrant is responsible for ensuring they have the legal right to submit all photographs entered into the contest.
- BirdsCaribbean is not responsible for incorrect or inaccurate information submitted by participants.
- BirdsCaribbean assumes no responsibility for lost, delayed, interrupted, corrupted, or incomplete entries.
- If, for any reason, the contest cannot be conducted as planned, BirdsCaribbean reserves the right to cancel, modify, suspend, or terminate the contest.
- Photographers retain full ownership of their submitted images. By entering, participants grant BirdsCaribbean permission to use submitted photographs in print and online communications. Photographs will be credited as © Photographer’s Name or Photo by Photographer’s Name.
Questions about the contest or assistance with submitting photographs may be directed to Christel Mohammed: [email protected].
Your photographs help tell the story of Caribbean birds, conservation, and the people working to protect them. We can’t wait to see Trinidad and Tobago—and the BirdsCaribbean Conference—through your lens.
Good luck, and happy photographing!
Past Photo Contest Winners!
