Nature and Wildlife Photography Qualifications

Recognition that means something

For many nature and wildlife photographers, qualifications aren’t about commercial gain or marketing — they’re about personal development, validation, and pride in your work.

The SINWP qualification structure is designed to challenge you, refine your vision, and recognise your photography at a professional standard, judged by photographers who understand nature, wildlife, ethics, and storytelling.

Whether you are documenting wildlife behaviour, landscapes, habitats, or the relationship between people and the natural world, these qualifications mark clear milestones in your photographic journey.

A personal journey of photographic development

Our qualifications are not about one strong image — they are about consistency, intent, and understanding.

Each level encourages you to:
Review your work critically
Refine your visual style
Present a cohesive body of images
Receive informed, constructive feedback
Many photographers find the process as valuable as the result.

Licentiate Qualification (LSINWP)

Proof of consistency and control

Licentiate is the first formal qualification level and is designed to demonstrate that you can produce competent, well-crafted images to a recognised standard.

Your submission should show:
Solid technical control
Clear subject choice
A consistent level of quality across the panel
An understanding of composition and light


Licentiate is ideal for photographers who want reassurance that they are moving in the right direction and ready to take their work more seriously.

This level is about confidence and foundation.

Associate Qualification (ASINWP)

Developing your photographic voice

Associate level moves beyond competence and focuses on cohesion, intent, and individuality.

Your images should work together as a collection, showing:
A clear theme or narrative
Strong visual consistency
Creative decision-making
Growing personal style
This level often represents a turning point, where photographers begin to understand why they make the images they do — not just how.
Associate is about clarity and direction.

Fellowship Qualification (FSINWP)

A defining personal achievement

Fellowship is the highest SINWP qualification and is awarded to photographers whose work demonstrates depth, authority, and long-term commitment to their subject.

Submissions are expected to show:
A highly developed personal style
Strong storytelling or environmental understanding
Thoughtful subject interpretation
Images that stand up to detailed professional critique
Fellowship is about vision, maturity, and intent.

For many, it is one of the most rewarding achievements of their photographic career.

Fellowship is about mastery..

Whilst we accept Licentiate and Associate submission's both digitally and in the form of printed panels, Fellowship panels must be submitted in the form of 20, 20x16 inch mounted prints. Please contact Terrie Jones to enquire as to the next Qualification Assessment Day.

The guidelines for the submission of SINWP are as follows:

For nature submissions we are looking for images of landscapes and forests as well as plants and fungi in these environments. Images must show a good representation of the natural world throughout a variety of different images taken, this also includes seascapes and cityscapes showing how humanity and nature interact.
For wildlife submissions we are looking for images of wild animals in their natural habitats. Images must show a variety of different species, showing the animal's natural behaviours in a way that has not been directed by the entrant. Although we do accept images taken from commercial hides we cannot accept images of animals in captivity or images where the lighting or baiting has been set up by somebody other than the entrant.

Start your qualification journey

Many photographers describe gaining their SINWP qualification as a moment of validation — not because others see it, but because they earned it.

Take the next step when you feel ready.

Apply for Qualifications

Qualification applied for

Licentiate £75.00 GBP Associate £150.00 GBP

Submission Guidelines

For nature submissions we are looking for images of landscapes and forests as well as plants and fungi in these environments. Images must show a good representation of the natural world throughout a variety of different images taken, this also includes seascapes and cityscapes showing how humanity and nature interact.

For wildlife submissions we are looking for images taken of wild animals in their environment, no captive animals permitted. Images must show a variety of different species, showing the animal's natural behaviours in a way that has not been directed by the entrant. Although we do accept images taken from commercial hides we cannot accept images of animals in captivity or images where the lighting or baiting has been set up by somebody other than the entrant.

We require the zipped folder to be named as follows:
firstname_surname_qualification_membershipnumber.zip

Once you have prepared your files for submission please fill in the Qualification application form, once completed and the appropriate fee has been paid you will be transferred to our MailBigFile upload facility which will send your images direct to The Society of Photographers Qualification Team for review. submission will then be forwarded for considered by three Fellows in the case of Licentiate and Five in the case of Associate and Fellow.

Qualification Submission Rules & Guidelines

1. All Qualification panels must be submitted in the form of 20 images of a single genre.
2. Entrant must have solely captured and created the original photographs, this includes all composited elements within an image.
3. All digital manipulation must have been performed by the entrant.
4. Any images that violate copyright, trademark or any other applicable law will be disqualified.
5. The entrant's name, or any other distinguishing marks, must not appear on the face of the images.
6. Images submitted for Qualification must have been captured within 36 months of the submission date. Exceptions may be made in the case of composite images, where elements of the image were captured by the photographer outside of the 36 month time period.
7. No entry will be eligible that has been made under the supervision of an instructor, in collaboration with another photographer (not including mentoring), or as a class assignment.
8. No exact same image may be entered more than once in the same submission but exact same images may be used for successive submissions, such as resubmissions for the same qualification or a new submission for the next level of qualification.
9. Any images which do not follow the category definition will be automatically disqualified.
10. Any entry which has been reproduced from an existing photograph, portrait, graphic or any other artwork produced by another person is a violation of the rules and will be disqualified, this includes stock images and digital backgrounds.
11. Entrants agree that any photograph entered may be used by The Society and or Professional Imagemaker in any of the publications, printed materials, or electronic media. Also the image may be used for promotional use by The Society, unless otherwise agreed.
12. Qualifications are a benefit of membership to The Society of Photographers and any successful submissions can only be advertised for as long as the entrant remains in membership.
13. We reserve the right to: change or modify the rules without notice.

Guidelines for printed submissions

The images must adhere to the rules stated above in addition to the following:

1. Each image must be mounted.
2. All entries must be 20x16 inches inclusive of the mount.
3. Within the mount each image must have one side of at least 10 inches (254mm)
4. The print and mount combined must be no thicker than 6mm thick
5. All bookings/qualification submissions are final. Refund Policy – No Refunds

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