Submissions for the Rewilding Europe Award in this year’s European Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition are open until March 1. As the deadline approaches, Munich-based photographer Viktoria Pezzei, who will serve as one of this year’s judges, shares her views on how to create powerful rewilding images.
Victoria Fejay
As part of the annual European Wildlife Photographers Competition, launched in 2001 by the German Society of Nature Photography, the Rewilding Europe Award celebrates the best rewilding-related images from across Europe. The submission deadline is March 1, 2026.
The 2026 Rewilding Europe Award will be judged by Jon A. Juárez and Viktoria Pezzei, German-Ukrainian photographers and photojournalists based in Munich. In her work focused on the environment, science, and sustainability, Viktoria explores the relationships between people, wildlife, and place, focusing on underrepresented stories in conservation. She is an emerging league photographer of the International League of Conservation Photographers and a member of Women Photographers and the German Society for Nature Photography. We caught up with her to find out more about her background and what she looks for in a stunning brought-to-life image.
What does it mean to be a member of the International League of Conservation Photographers?
Above all, it is about community and shared purpose. In a field that can often feel lonely, it is incredibly empowering to be surrounded by like-minded colleagues who share a deep-rooted commitment to ethical storytelling. It provides a platform for us to exchange ideas, collaborate on global issues and amplify our collective voices. Knowing that I am part of a group that prioritizes conservation over just “taking pictures” gives my work a sense of belonging and pushes me to maintain the highest standards of integrity in the field of conservation photography.
Victoria Fejay
We focus on lesser-known stories in conservation. Can you give me an example?
I am deeply fascinated by the “underdogs” of the natural world, especially species like bats, which are often misunderstood or overlooked in my native Germany. I believe that telling local stories to a global audience can broaden the reach of conservation efforts. A recent example is my work on fawn rescue in Bavaria, recently published in BBC Wildlife magazine. This story proves that you don’t have to travel to the ends of the Earth to find a compelling conservation story. By highlighting the beauty and vulnerability of the species right on our doorstep, we can foster a more personal relationship between people and the nature they interact with every day.
Victoria Fejay
Your photos help people visualize scientific research. Why is this important?
Scientific research is the backbone of conservation, but research papers are often complex and written for very specific, specialized audiences. I look at the photo as a bridge. Visuals have the power to transform abstract data into tangible, emotional language that the general public can understand. Science becomes accessible when people can actually see the impact of the topic being studied or a particular conservation method. Transform facts and figures into stories that people can understand, feel, and ultimately support.
Victoria Fejay
Victoria Fejay
Nature photography has traditionally been reluctant to include human and man-made elements, and you celebrate that. Why is that so?
To me, conservation is essentially a human story. Behind every rescue effort and every restoration project are humans. I want to make that invisible work visible. I value a journalistic approach that embraces the “whole story” rather than simply a sanitized version of the wasteland. In today’s world, where space is scarce for nature, many of the most vulnerable species would not survive without human intervention and commitment. By including the human element, we want to show that we are not just observers of nature, but active participants in natural healing.
Victoria Fejay
What is your most memorable wildlife encounter?
By coincidence, this actually happened in my neighborhood. My neighbor told me about a bat conservation initiative taking place in the forest just minutes from my doorstep, which eventually sparked a long-term personal project. I remember joining the volunteers as they monitored the bat box. While I was sitting under the tree with my camera, they opened the box and everything happened in a blur. A bat flew by and passed me. The feeling is so incredibly soft that you will never forget it. At that moment, I captured the moment before the box closed again. It was a beautiful reminder that natural wonders are often hidden exactly where you least expect them.
Victoria Fejay
Do you think photography can be a force for good?
entirely. Photography is one of the most powerful tools we have for advocacy, but it comes with a lot of responsibility for how the subject is portrayed and interpreted. When used ethically, images can change perspectives, influence policy and raise vital funds for conservation. A perfect example of this power is Steve Winter’s iconic photo of a mountain lion positioned in front of the Hollywood sign. In a single frame, the image tells a complete and complex story. Wildlife can and does coexist in our most dense urban landscapes. The impact was enormous. Changing the story from fear to pride ultimately led to the construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing. This shows that timely, intentional images can bring about real, large-scale change that benefits the natural world.
Victoria Fejay
What are you looking for in this year’s Rewilding Europe Award submissions?
I’m looking for photos that dive below the surface and truly tell a story. We’re looking for images that are technologically fundamental, but also inspire hope and show real progress in rewilding. I especially love stories that take place in your own backyard. Images that prove that the extraordinary is found in the ordinary and that conservation doesn’t just happen in remote wilderness, it happens right where we live. I want to be surprised by perspectives I have never seen before and be moved by the narrative behind the lens.
What are you working on now?
I am honored to be a Vital Impacts Fellow, which provides me with the opportunity to work on new projects exploring the intersection of humans and wildlife. My current focus is on the important role bats play in agriculture – a fascinating relationship that supports our food system in ways few people recognize. This fellowship provides a great platform to further develop my visual storytelling and highlight essential conservation stories that resonate locally and internationally.
