Rachel Bigsby, a 26-year-old self-taught wildlife photographer from East Sussex, has been named the winner of the ‘Natural Artistry’ category in the esteemed Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, held at the Natural History Museum in London.
In a historic achievement, Bigsby becomes the youngest winner in the category’s history, standing out as one of only nine women honoured among a staggering 49,957 entries submitted from 95 countries.
The Story Behind the Winning Image
Her captivating photograph, titled The Art of Seduction, was taken from a boat beneath the towering cliffs of the Noss National Nature Reserve in Shetland. Recalling the experience, she described her initial encounter with the breathtaking landscape:
"It was my first time visiting this location, and I was immediately struck by its unique beauty," she explained. "As our boat approached the island, I could see the potential for a remarkable shot, but the challenge was evident—capturing the scene from a small boat in the rough North Sea, beneath cliffs soaring 180 meters (590 feet) above, while over 22,000 Northern Gannets nested on the sandstone ledges."
Rachel was drawn to the sculpted curves of the cliffs, draped with white guano, framing the gannets in their natural environment. "I was searching for a courting pair of gannets among the thousands, but finding the right moment was elusive," she noted. "Then, I spotted the perfect pair—entwined on a lower ledge, framed against the dramatic shapes of the cliffs. In that fleeting moment, as the boat aligned with the rocks, everything fell into place. The gannets formed an elegant silhouette against the dark hollow of the sandstone, and I captured the shot, highlighting the complementary shapes in black and white."
Upon accepting her award at the Natural History Museum, Rachel said:
The Jury's Verdict
Wildlife Photographer of the Year's reputation is reinforced by the expertise of its jury and the vigour of its judging process. Commenting on 'The Art of Seduction', the jury said:
"A composition that works beautifully in black and white. Your eye follows the flow of the curves from the top to the bottom of the image. The guano marking the cliffs left behind by generations of nesting gannets paints a balletic picture." – Richard Sabin
"The jury loved the interplay between the striations on the rocks and the shape of the birds. It works beautifully in black and white." – Kathy Moran, Editor and Chair of the Jury
"I found this image to be heart-stoppingly beautiful. The graphic nature of it, the sublime display posture of the mated gannets, the perfect separation between their bodies and beaks - it has a collage-like quality to it that grabs the eye and makes you want to keep looking." – Melissa Groo
Recognition and Media Attention
Following her remarkable win, Rachel’s achievement and image garnered widespread media attention, with outlets such as ITV News and BBC South East News featuring her story and award-winning photograph.
This prestigious accolade not only celebrates her artistic vision but also highlights her growing influence in the world of wildlife photography, marking her as a rising talent to watch.
On tour and in print
Rachel’s winning image is a part of the WPY59 collection and will be presented at the Natural History Museum in October before touring to 25 venues across 4 continents, reaching millions globally, shining a spotlight on these stories and species to build awareness of both the beauty and vulnerability of our natural world, and to create advocates for the planet.
Book your tickets > https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year.html
Official merchandise
"It'll come as no surprise that this wonderful photograph of courting gannets framed against guano-painted curves of sandstone cliffs on the Isle of Noss won Rachel Bigsby the Natural Artistry award in our most recent competition. The image features on one side of this black, organic cotton book bag, so you too can spread the joy of these love birds when out shopping!" - Natural History Museum
The Art of Courtship Tote Bag: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59
exclusive to the NHM shop
made from organic cotton, water-based inks
bag W36cm x H40cm, handles H29cm
The Art of Courtship T-shirt: Wildlife Photographer of the Year 59
exclusive to the NHM shop
available in unisex adult sizes
made from organic cotton, water-based inks
About Rachel
Considered to be a leading wildlife photographer amongst her contemporaries, Rachel Bigsby is a 26-year-old self-taught wildlife photographer carving an awe-inspiring career with her passion for seabirds and her flare for capturing natural artistry.
As a winner in five of the world’s most prestigious competitions, including Wildlife Photographer of the Year and Bird Photographer of the Year, a Nikon creator, a published photographer by National Geographic, a workshop leader and an emerging natural history broadcaster - it is Rachel’s mission to connect a global audience to new species with captivating photographs which spark a new found love or interest, perhaps empowering change while representing and inspiring young people.
Contact
To contact Rachel about her award or her work, please email: rachel@rachelbigsby.com
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