We are delighted to announce a new category in the Bailiwick Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition run by Guernsey Arts. This award has been made possible by generous donations made in memory of Barry Wells co-founder of the charity who passed away earlier this year.

Barry was passionate about pollinating insects, bees, butterflies, moths and was also an acclaimed wildlife photographer. His images can still be seen on his website https://barrywells.co.uk/. Every year he went to every junior and primary school in the Bailiwick and presented a different group of pollinators using his slo-mo films and fantastic photography. It was a joy to go with Barry to one of these special assemblies and see children leave the assemblies buzzing and flying around the schools.

In 2023 a wall of his photographs was featured in the Wildlife Photography exhibition and went on tour to Sark and Alderney. Rather than leave them in a cupboard, his family donated them to Elizabeth College where they will be displayed and available as a teaching aid. Barry would have been delighted that they were considered good enough for this.

The award of £500 and membership of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust will be made annually for the next 3 years for the best photograph or short film of a pollinating insect in Guernsey taken by anyone in full or part-time education up to the age of 24. The best entries will be displayed in the Greenhouse Gallery from the 31st January until 23rd March 2025.

How to Enter

All entries must be received by Guernsey Arts before the 1st December using this Google form

You can submit up to 5 images in any format, but make sure they are of the best quality you can provide. And they must feature a pollinating insect in Guernsey. That includes, bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bugs, there is plenty of scope. If in doubt send us or jared@arts.gg a message. You must of course be the originator of the image and own all moral and intellectual property in it.

You must be in full-time or part-time education and under the age of 24 on the 1st December 2024.

How to Win!

You don’t need a macro lens or super sophisticated cameras to take great quality photos these days. Smartphones give everyone a chance of winning and we are all surrounded by pollinators during the warmer months. Often we think of honeybees when someone talks about pollinators, but in Guernsey we have thousands of other species involved in this vital process. Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes, some of the most important and surprising pollinators are flies, beetles, and bugs. But very many butterflies, moths and bees also carry out this vital process which helps our flowers grow and is essential for our food.

Of course no wildlife should be disturbed or harmed as a result of the photography or filming, but beyond that you have lots of scope. You might want to consider submitting an image that shows the link between pollinators and flowers or pollen itself. The setting can be a garden, a cliff path, anywhere in nature or like some of Barry’s photos you might have posed them on a plain background. Some of our favourite images feature bees going into bee hotels.

If you are looking for inspiration go to Barry’s website https://barrywells.co.uk/

Finally don’t think your image isn’t good enough! You might be surprised and win £500.