Stonyhurst pupil Oscar wins top prize in Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Stonyhurst College pupil named a winner in the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition
A Stonyhurst College pupil has received international recognition for his wildlife photography, capturing a remarkable moment in the natural world.
Stonyhurst Syntax (Year 11) pupil, Oscar, has been named a winner in the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 competition, taking the top prize in the 11–14 Years category with his photograph, Labour of Love.
Captured during a family game drive in Zimbabwe, the award-winning photograph features a determined dung beetle attempting to manoeuvre a ball of dung up a sandy slope, followed closely by a gathering of flies.
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Fascinated by the scene unfolding before him, Oscar experimented with different angles to capture the beetle's remarkable determination. The image captures an often-overlooked moment in nature in a striking portrayal of perseverance, revealing the beauty and complexity of the natural world.
Oscar's success is particularly impressive given the scale of the competition. Now in its 62nd year, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 attracted over 65,000 entries from photographers from 121 countries around the world, with Oscar recognised as one of just 19 category winners. Also, for the first time in the competition's history, both overall grand titles were awarded to black-and-white photos.
Speaking to the BBC about his photograph, Oscar reflected that he hopes to encourage others to appreciate the smaller, often unnoticed moments in nature:
"I hope that when people look at the photograph, they can see too, and maybe appreciate how much can be happening in a small moment in the natural world."
Oscar's remarkable achievement has also attracted media attention, with the young photographer taking to the airwaves for a radio interview with the BBC, sharing his experience of capturing the award-winning image.
Oscar's achievement comes at an exciting time for creative arts at Stonyhurst. Following the enhancement of the school's photography studio in September 2025, pupils have access to state-of-the-art facilities where they can explore photography, develop their creative skills and experiment with new techniques.
Through its expanding curriculum and co-curricular opportunities, alongside inspiring achievements such as Oscar's, Stonyhurst aims to encourage the next generation of young photographers to explore new perspectives, challenge themselves creatively and discover the extraordinary in the everyday.
Deputy Head Academic, Sarah Joseph, said: “We are incredibly proud of Oscar and his outstanding achievement. To receive recognition on an international stage, alongside some of the world's most talented photographers, is a remarkable accomplishment.
“Oscar's photograph demonstrates not only technical skill and creativity, but also the patience, curiosity and attention to detail required to capture something truly special. We hope his success will inspire other young people to explore their own creative interests and discover the extraordinary opportunities that photography can offer.”
Oscar's award-winning photograph, Labour of Love, will be displayed as part of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London, opening today.