“Frans Lanting Award” for Photography established by National Geographic and World Wildlife Fund in the Netherlands

The Frans Lanting Studio is pleased to announce that a new “Frans Lanting Award” for photography has been established in the Netherlands by National Geographic and the World Wildlife Fund.

In Frans’s words: “National Geographic has supported many of my projects over the years and has given me unique opportunities to share the wonders and the fragility of the natural world with an international audience. World Wildlife Fund’s work ensures that a next generation of photographers will be able to carry on that mission. I could not think of a better partnership to launch this new Award with. I’m thrilled to lend my name to this initiative and support it actively.”

The goal of the Award is to recognize new top talent and to stimulate anyone to interpret their environment with a camera, no matter whether it is a DSLR or a smart phone. The theme for this year’s competition is “Where Land and Sea Meet.”

The winning images will be published in National Geographic. From the final 25 images the public will be able to choose their own favorite as well. Both the “Professional” winner and the “Public’s Favorite” will have the opportunity to join Frans Lanting for a private photo workshop in the renowned Oostvaardersplassen, a unique nature reserve celebrated in the acclaimed film, De Nieuwe Wildernis.

Anyone living in the Netherlands or Belgium is eligible to enter photos for the competition.

For the final judging, Frans Lanting will be joined by astronaut and fellow WWF Ambassador André Kuipers, TV presenter and WWF Ambassador Humberto Tan, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Netherlands Aart Aarsbergen, and National Geographic Netherlands editor Sacha de Boer.

The first winner of the Lanting Award will be announced in late November 2014.