A remarkable photograph captured by a 10-year-old girl has earned "highly commended" status in this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, one of the world's most prestigious photography awards. Jamie Smart from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, saw her stunning image of a red deer stag bellowing during autumn rutting season recognized among the top 100 entries from over 60,000 submissions worldwide.
The award-winning photograph, titled "The Rutting Call," was captured during a two-day wildlife expedition at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire. Jamie, who first picked up a camera at age six, said she knew it was a good shot but never expected to receive global recognition for her work. The image showcases her exceptional ability to capture wildlife behavior at a critical moment.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, now in its 61st year, is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum. What began in 1965 as a simple magazine competition with just 361 entries has evolved into one of the world's most renowned photography awards, featuring a touring exhibition seen by millions around the globe. The competition highlights the unique relationship between photography, science, and art.
This isn't Jamie's first brush with national recognition. In March 2025, she became the youngest ever winner of Biaza's photographer awards for her image of an emerging grey reef shark, titled "Out of the Blue." Her journey into photography began with her childhood fascination with dinosaurs, but when she realized she couldn't photograph those in the wild, she turned her attention to capturing living wildlife instead.
Jamie's photographic adventure started when she was six years old, using her father James' camera. James, a hobby photographer himself, encouraged her interest. "I didn't want to drop the camera at first," Jamie recalled, explaining that she initially found it challenging to focus on wildlife as birds would fly away. Now, her parents joke that they simply come along to carry the equipment while Jamie does all the photographing.
The commended stag photograph was captured during a filming expedition with wildlife photographer Danny Green, which involved grueling "12-hour days, early mornings and late evenings," according to Jamie. Her success isn't just due to technical skill – she possesses extensive knowledge about wildlife that helps her capture award-winning shots. "It's actually a monarch stag, he has over 16 spikes on his antlers, which shows he's a mature and strong stag," she explained.
Describing the moment she captured the winning shot, Jamie said, "A younger one came over the hill, it was running, bellowing. The stag was so tired, so he had to lay down. I laid down, but as I was just nine, the grass was very long and right on his face, but when he bellowed, he lifted up his body, and I was able to capture it." She noted that such shots are rare because the animals rarely turn their heads to look directly at the photographer.
Jamie's mother, Eleri, attributes her daughter's success to hard work and dedication. She explains that these competitions maintain extremely high standards and can be unpredictable, but Jamie's passion for nature drives her photography. "Nature is what drives Jamie's passion," Eleri said, "and photography and nature marry well together."
The young photographer first gained national attention in December 2023 when she won one of the categories at the RSPCA's annual photography competition. Her image of a Barnevelder cockerel, entitled "Fighter," took first place in the Pet Portraits category, while three additional photographs earned high praise from the judges.
Jamie's talent has taken her around the world, including a trip to Australia where she worked alongside Robert Irwin. During this expedition, she won two categories and had 16 images shortlisted for display at Australia Zoo. She also became the youngest ever winner of the Crikey! Australia Zoo 14 and under category in 2024.
With a substantial social media following of 111,000 on Instagram, Jamie documents her wildlife photography adventures and passion for nature. She also speaks with animal experts on her podcast, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with a broader audience. Her platform allows her to educate others about wildlife while showcasing her incredible photographic skills.
Looking ahead, Jamie is excited about attending the awards ceremony in London on October 14, where she'll have the opportunity to explore the Natural History Museum. Her long-term goal is ambitious – she hopes to discover an entirely new species. In the short term, she's planning a new project to document and discover the diverse wildlife that mid-Wales has to offer, continuing to combine her passion for nature with her exceptional photographic talents.
