Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020: How Humor Helps Us Humanize Nature

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020

The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020 have revealed their finalists — 44 remarkable images that showcase the beauty, fragility, and humor of the natural world. More than just funny moments, these photographs reflect a growing aesthetic trend in wildlife photography: the humanization of animals, bridging emotion between viewer and subject.

Founded by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the competition is a global, free-to-enter platform for professionals and enthusiasts alike. While it delivers light-hearted joy, its core mission is deeply serious — to promote wildlife conservation through engagement, empathy, and optimism. The initiative works in partnership with the Born Free Foundation, amplifying awareness of endangered species and habitats worldwide.

The Art of Empathy Through Humor

From a fox negotiating with a mouse to a smiling fish or a photobombing giraffe, the images transcend simple observation. Each subject seems to perform, communicate, or even play with the viewer — sparking a sense of participation and shared presence.

This approach mirrors the techniques of portrait photography, traditionally reserved for humans, now applied to the animal world. The result is an aesthetic that blurs boundaries — portraying wildlife not as objects of study, but as sentient, emotional beings.

Beyond the Laughs

Behind the humor lies a profound message: connection breeds care. By evoking laughter, the competition cultivates empathy — reminding us that the same emotions we recognize in these creatures mirror our own. In doing so, the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards transform comedy into conservation, turning attention and affection into action.

Written by Otávio Santiago, a visual designer whose work blends clarity, rhythm, and storytelling. Between Berlin and Lisbon, he creates across print, motion, branding, and immersive 3D environments.