We are delighted to launch this year’s Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association Photography Competition, celebrating the beauty, diversity and importance of the plants that sustain our pollinators.

Theme: “Pollinator Plants”

This year’s theme invites you to capture the plants and flowers that support bees and other pollinators. Whether it is a garden in full bloom, a wildflower meadow alive with activity, or a single flower visited by a bee, we are looking for images that tell the story of pollination in action.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to members of Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association district associations.

• One entry per member
• Open to both amateur and professional photographers
• Membership will be verified through district records

The prize

The winning entry will receive:

• A voucher from Northern Bee Books
• Their photograph displayed during the Yorkshire Show

A fantastic opportunity to have your work seen by thousands of visitors and fellow beekeepers.

How to enter

All entries must be submitted via the official Google Form:

👉 Link emailed to YBKA Members

You will be asked to provide:

• Your name and district association
• A short caption or title for your photograph
• Your image upload

Important dates

• Closing date: 31st May 2026

Late entries may not be considered, so please ensure your submission is completed in good time.

Using Google Forms (quick and easy)

You will need a Google account to upload your photo. This does not mean you need a Gmail email address.

You can simply link your existing email address to Google in a few minutes.

👉 Create a Google account using your existing email:
https://accounts.google.com/signup?utm_source=help

🎥 Watch this short guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biTtjgbQCu4

The process is straightforward and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.

Competition rules (summary)

• All images must be your own original work
• AI-generated or heavily manipulated images are not permitted
• Basic editing such as cropping and colour correction is allowed
• You must have permission from any identifiable individuals in your photograph
• Images must be appropriate and not infringe copyright

By entering, you grant YBKA permission to use your image across its website, social media, publications, and educational materials.

Judging

Entries will be judged based on agreed YBKA criteria. The judges’ decision is final.

We are delighted to announce that this year’s competition will be judged by John Gregson Jr., an accomplished photographer whose work has been featured in the Countryfile Calendar and recognised through a range of competition wins and awards.

John is also the son of John Gregson, well known for his roles in classic British films including Genevieve, The Battle of the River Plate, Gideon’s Way, Angels One Five, The Titfield Thunderbolt, The Lavender Hill Mob, and Sea of Sand.

We look forward to your entries

This competition is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vital relationship between pollinators and plants across Yorkshire. Whether you are capturing a quiet moment in your apiary or the vibrancy of a summer meadow, your photograph can help tell an important story.

Take your camera out, slow down, and notice what the bees already know.

Terms and Conditions of Entry

Eligibility
The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers unless otherwise stated. Entrants under the age of 18 must have permission from a parent or guardian.

Ownership of Images
All photographs submitted must be the original work of the entrant. By entering, participants confirm that they are the sole creator and copyright holder of the image.

Use of Artificial Intelligence
Images must not be created, generated, or altered using artificial intelligence tools. Basic editing is permitted, including cropping, exposure adjustment, and colour correction. Composite images, AI-generated content, or heavily manipulated images are not allowed.

Image Content and Permissions

Entrants are responsible for ensuring that:

• Any identifiable individuals in the photograph have given permission to be photographed and for their image to be used
• The photograph does not infringe on any copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights
• The content is appropriate and does not include offensive, unlawful, or inappropriate material

Licence for Use
By submitting an entry, participants grant YBKA a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual licence to use, reproduce, and publish the submitted images. This includes, but is not limited to:

• YBKA website and digital platforms
• Social media channels
• Printed materials such as posters, leaflets, and newsletters
• Educational and promotional resources

Images may be used with or without attribution, although YBKA will make reasonable efforts to credit the photographer where possible.

Image Editing by YBKA

YBKA reserves the right to crop or make minor adjustments to submitted images for formatting and presentation purposes. Images will not be significantly altered in a way that changes their original meaning or integrity.

Submission Requirements
Entries must be submitted in the specified format and within the stated deadline. Late or incomplete entries may not be considered.

Judging and Decisions

All entries will be judged based on criteria set by YBKA. The decision of the judges is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.

Data Protection
Personal information provided as part of the entry process will be used solely for the administration of the competition and in accordance with data protection regulations. Contact details will not be shared with third parties without consent.

Liability
YBKA accepts no responsibility for lost, delayed, or corrupted entries. Entrants are responsible for retaining a copy of their submitted work.

Right to Withdraw or Amend
YBKA reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or cancel the competition at any time where necessary.

Acceptance of Terms
By entering the competition, participants confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.

The photographs featured here are © John Gregson. They have been included to illustrate different approaches to composition in plant photography and to offer inspiration. They are not intended to represent the theme of this competition. And just to reassure our more observant readers, we are aware that some plants shown, such as magnolias, are not bee friendly. The images are included purely to demonstrate photographic technique rather than pollinator value.