'My Wild Life' Competition 2026
Calling all budding photographers! We are thrilled to be bringing back our ever-popular photography competition, ‘My Wild Life’, inspired by the return of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 exhibition at The Base Greenham.
Each year, thousands of visitors enjoy viewing the finalists' images in our Runway Gallery and Honesty Parkway- you don’t want to miss out on this exciting opportunity! Budding photographers of all ages and expertise can enter the ‘My Wild Life’ competition, and it is completely free to enter. Whether they capture images of insects in their back gardens with a camera phone, wildlife discovered on a family walk, or snaps of their beloved pets with their favourite camera… we are looking for creative thinking when it comes to capturing the wonders of wildlife that surround us in town and country. Finalists from two age categories (Under-18s and Over-18s) will be chosen by a panel of expert judges. The winning entries from each category will be selected by the general public in an online vote.
Prizes
1st Prize Under-18s:
- A Family Day Pass to Marwell Zoo (2 adults, 3 children)
- A Marwell Zoo goodie-bag
-A Kingfisher Hide Experience for two at Berkshire Wildlife Hides
- A Family Base Pass giving unlimited access to the Base Gallery for 12 months*
- Photo exhibited in the ‘My Wild Life’ exhibition 2026
- An invitation to the Private View event of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 Exhibition
- Photo printed in the Newbury Weekly News
1st Prize Over-18s:
- A Family Day Pass to Marwell Zoo (2 adults, 3 children)
- Get up-close with an 'Animal Experience' at Marwell Zoo for two people
- A Base Pass PLUS giving unlimited access to the Base Gallery for 12 months as well as discounts on selected events/workshops/courses
- A Kingfisher Hide Experience for two at Berkshire Wildlife Hides
- Photo exhibited in the ‘My Wild Life’ exhibition 2026
- An invitation to the Private View event of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 Exhibition
- Photo printed in the Newbury Weekly News
2nd Prize:
- Photo exhibited in the ‘My Wild Life’ exhibition 2026
- Photo printed in the Newbury Weekly News
- Both 1st and 2nd prize winners will be invited to the Private View event for the opening of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 at The Base Greenham.
Highly Commended:
- Photo exhibited in the ‘My Wild Life’ exhibition 2026
Judging conditions:
Entries will be judged by nominated judges – Phil Cannings (Newbury Weekly News photographer) and Trish Lee (Newbury Weekly News, Arts Editor), Simon Booker (professional photographer) and the staff team at The Base. Images will be judged on artistic merit, originality, subject and style. The decision of the judges and following online poll is final.
How To Enter:
Entries must explore or capture the theme of ‘My Wild Life’. Each entrant may enter a maximum of 5 photos. Email a completed entry form (including the communication release form below) and your photo/s attached to admin@thebasegreenham.co.uk by 8pm on Sunday 11 January. Please ensure you have read the terms and conditions and ensure your photo meets these guidelines:
- Your entry/entries must be saved as a JPEG file (JPG) at a setting of 10 (100%) or higher
- The file name must contain your full name and age, for example: LastName_FirstName_Age.jpg
- No watermarks / copyright units / logos on images
- If images of people are submitted, all those in the photograph need to give their consent
- Please consider the well-being of wild creatures and ecosystems. Respect wildlife by not disturbing or moving the subjects you are photographing
- We are looking for authentic images of nature. Please do not use apps or image editing software to manipulate your images.
Competition Timeline:
Sunday 11 January at 8pm - Submission deadline
Thursday 29 January at 10am - Finalists announced on Facebook & online voting starts
Sunday 1 February at 8pm - Facebook voting closes & winners announced
Monday 2 February - Winners emailed
Saturday 21 February to Sunday 26 April - 'My Wild Life' finalists' exhibition on display upstairs at Honesty at Parkway
Monday 23 February to Sunday 26 April - 'My Wild Life' finalists' exhibition on display in the Runway Gallery at The Base
Friday 27 February - Wildlife Photographer of the Year 61 exhibition opens
Sunday 26 April - Exhibitions close