Four Colombian photographers were recently recognized at the 2025 Audubon Photography Awards, an international competition that celebrates the beauty of birds and raises environmental awareness through photography. Organized by the National Audubon Society, these awards stand out for honoring not only the artistic value but also the ecological message behind each winning image.
Colombia made its mark on the global photography scene with the participation of Luis Alberto Peña, Camilo Sanabria Grajales, Cristian Valencia, and Shamir Shah, who were awarded among thousands of international entrants. For the first time, Audubon opened its awards to Latin American photographers, introducing new categories specifically for Colombia and Chile in recognition of their extraordinary biodiversity and crucial role in migratory routes of vulnerable species.
Four Colombians awarded at the 2025 Audubon Photography Awards
As part of the international competition organized by the National Audubon Society — one of the most important bird conservation organizations in the Americas — the Audubon Photography Awards aim to celebrate the beauty of birds and raise environmental awareness through photography. In this edition, four Colombians stood out with remarkable works.
Peña received the Conservation Award for his photograph of a Savanna Hawk taken near a forest fire in Cucuta, a powerful image denouncing habitat loss and human pressures. The jury noted that his work “combines aesthetic strength and message, portraying the hawk not only as a majestic predator but also as a vulnerable species facing habitat destruction.”
Sanabria, just 14 years old, won the Youth Award for capturing a Blackburnian Warbler hunting a moth, freezing the precise moment with scales floating in the air. He also earned an Honorable Mention in the same category for a striking image of a grebe.
Valencia was recognized in the Plants for Birds, Colombia category with his photograph of a Purple-backed Thornbill feeding on native flowers in the forests of Villamaria, Caldas. The judges praised the image as “visually and compositionally captivating, while powerfully illustrating the ecological interdependence between plants and birds in one of Colombia’s most fragile ecosystems.”
Shah won in the Birds in the Landscape, Colombia category for his portrait of blue-headed parrots in Cali, seamlessly integrated into lush vegetation. According to the jury, the composition “balances the majesty of the bird with the context of its landscape, conveying both aesthetic beauty and a message about the urgent need to protect habitats that still survive within cities.”
What are the Audubon Photography Awards?
The Audubon Photography Awards are among the most prestigious nature photography contests in the world. Established by the National Audubon Society, the competition highlights images of birds in diverse environments and behaviors, with strong emphasis on artistry, technical excellence, and conservation.
The 2025 edition marked a significant expansion: in addition to the United States and Canada, new categories were introduced for Chile and Colombia, acknowledging Latin America’s photographic talent and its global importance in biodiversity. This allows bird images from these regions to compete not only on aesthetic merit but also for their ecological message within an international context.