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.
