Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year 2025

“Death in Paradise”

18 & Under - Runner Up

amie’s talent for powerful storytelling through photography has been recognised once again on the international stage. Her striking image, titled “Death in Paradise”, has been awarded Runner-Up in the 18 & Under category of the Global Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year 2025.

The photograph presents a haunting scene: the body of a shark washed up on a beach, a stark reminder of the fragility of marine life in today’s changing world. While at first glance the tropical setting may appear serene, the reality of the lifeless shark transforms the image into something far more poignant — a symbol of paradise lost. Through this work, Jamie challenges viewers to reflect not only on the beauty of our oceans but also on the pressures and threats faced by marine species worldwide.

The Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition is one of the most respected nature photography awards in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting entries from across the globe. Celebrating images that inspire awe, raise awareness, and tell powerful stories about the natural world, the competition showcases both established photographers and emerging talents. To be recognised as Runner-Up in the 18 & Under category is a prestigious honour, placing Jamie’s work alongside some of the finest young photographers internationally.

The award-winning images, including “Death in Paradise”, were unveiled in an official exhibition and ceremony at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide, where the gallery now hosts the full showcase. This annual exhibition allows visitors to experience the power of the world’s best nature photography up close, with Jamie’s photograph among the standout images of 2025.

“Death in Paradise” goes beyond aesthetics — it captures a moment of stark reality. The contrast between the shark, a symbol of strength and survival, and the vulnerability of its lifeless form upon the sand, conveys a powerful message. It is both unsettling and thought-provoking, urging audiences to consider human impact on the marine environment and the importance of conservation efforts to protect ocean ecosystems.

For Jamie, this image is part of a broader photographic journey: using her camera not only to showcase natural beauty but also to tell honest, sometimes uncomfortable stories about the challenges wildlife faces. Just as her Highly Commended stag bellowing photograph in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 captured the drama of land-based wildlife, “Death in Paradise” sheds light on the struggles within our oceans.

The recognition in the 18 & Under global category highlights Jamie’s growing reputation as a young photographer whose images resonate with both artistry and message. Her work demonstrates that wildlife photography is not only about capturing beauty, but also about sparking conversations and inspiring change.

For collectors and supporters of conservation photography, prints of “Death in Paradise” are also available, offering the opportunity to own a piece of award-winning work that combines artistic impact with a meaningful environmental story.

As Runner-Up in a global competition, “Death in Paradise” is both a personal triumph and a significant contribution to the international dialogue on wildlife and conservation. It is a reminder that even in paradise, death and decline are realities we must confront — and that photography has the power to ensure these stories are not forgotten.

Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year 2025 - “Death in Paradise” 18 & Under - Runner Up

Wildlife Photogrpaher of the Year 2025

“Rutting Call”

10 & Under Category

Highly Commened – Jamie Smart | ‘Rutting Call’ | Bradgate Park

Jamie’s wildlife photography has received remarkable international recognition. Her latest image — a dramatic red stag bellowing in the soft autumn light of Bradgate Park — has been awarded Highly Commended in the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 competition and selected as one of the Top 100 photographs worldwide.

This year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPY), developed and run by the Natural History Museum in London, reached a record-breaking milestone with 60,636 entries from photographers across the globe — the highest number in the competition’s 60-year history. To be singled out as Highly Commended in the Young category from such an extraordinary pool of images is a truly outstanding achievement, marking Jamie’s work as among the best in the world.

The awarded photograph was taken at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire, one of the UK’s most iconic deer parks. It captures the raw intensity of a red stag in full bellow during the autumn rut — a moment that symbolises both the drama of nature and the timeless rhythm of Britain’s wild landscapes. Working alongside acclaimed wildlife photographer Danny Green, Jamie showed both patience and skill in seizing this fleeting moment, resulting in an image that is both powerful and atmospheric.

Recognition in the Young category is particularly significant. It not only celebrates Jamie’s artistry at an early stage in her photographic journey but also highlights the growing contribution of young people to wildlife photography and conservation awareness. WPY has long championed the next generation of storytellers, encouraging them to use their creativity to connect audiences worldwide with the natural world.

The competition’s Top 100 images are exhibited internationally, attracting millions of visitors in London and across global tour venues. Jamie’s stag bellowing photograph will travel as part of this exhibition, sharing the spirit of Bradgate Park and the unforgettable sound of a rutting stag with audiences far beyond the UK.

Being recognised as Highly Commended also speaks to the values of WPY itself — images that inspire wonder, provoke thought, and ignite a passion for protecting the environment. Jamie’s work is more than a picture; it is a story of connection between humans, wildlife, and the landscapes they share. It is a reminder of how fragile and yet how powerful nature can be.

Highly Commended Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 - Rutting Call - Jamie Smart

BIAZA 2025

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Wildlife Photography Competition

“Out of the Blue”

Fish Category

WINNER – Jamie Smart | ‘Out of the Blue’ | The Deep 

Out of the Blue: Nine-Year-Old Makes History with Winning Shark Photo

From the deep blue shadows of one of Britain’s largest aquarium habitats, a powerful grey reef shark emerges — captured in a moment of grace and intensity by nine-year-old photographer Jamie. Her image, "Out of the Blue," has been named a winner in the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Wildlife Photography Competition — making her the youngest-ever winner of her category.

This open competition welcomes entries from adults and zoo professionals across the UK and Ireland, but it was Jamie — then just nine years old — who stood out with a striking underwater image that mesmerised judges. Her photograph offers a hauntingly beautiful glimpse beneath the surface, a moment that captures both the elegance and quiet power of a grey reef shark.

This is not Jamie’s first success in the competition. Last year, at just eight years old, she won the Invertebrates category and received a Highly Commended recognition in the Reptiles category — achievements that already marked her as a rising star in wildlife photography.

The competition, which drew over 500 entries across five categories, celebrates the beauty and importance of animals in the care of modern zoos and aquariums. This year included a new Native Species category, highlighting the wildlife found closer to home — from wildcats and beavers to harvest mice and adders — and the role zoos and aquariums play in restoring these species.

BIAZA’s 130+ member zoos and aquariums carry out over 1,200 conservation projects, 1,280 research initiatives, and host over 1.1 million educational visits each year. Since 2020, they have collectively invested more than £150 million in conservation efforts.

Jamie’s winning photograph will appear in the BIAZA 2026 Wildlife Calendar, alongside eleven other powerful images, ranging from playful rhinos to inquisitive sloths. The calendar will also feature nature-themed dates, from Penguin Awareness Day to Sir David Attenborough’s birthday.

TPOTY 2024

Travel Photographer of the Year 2025

Runner-Up - Travel Photographer of the Year 2024, 14 and Under Category

Jamie earned the runner-up title with a striking portfolio of four intimate and powerful images capturing the elegance, chaos, and connection within a gannet colony — a masterclass in patience, light, and storytelling.

CUPOTY 2024 & Winner Crikey! 2024

Close Up Photographer of the Year 2024

“Can I Help You” Top 10 / 18 & Under – Finalist

A curious harvest mouse peeks through golden wheat, capturing a fleeting moment of charm and wonder in the natural world.

RSPCA YPA 2024 Pet Portraits

2024 RSPCA YPA Pet Portraits  – Winner

"Titled 'Not Impressed,' this striking portrait by Jamie Smart—winner of the 2024 RSPCA YPA Pet Portraits—captures the quiet dignity and unmistakable expression of feline disapproval with exceptional clarity and composure."