14-year-old photographer wins one of wildlife photography's biggest awards with image of a dung beetle on a mission to roll its precious cargo up a sandy slope, captured on a family game drive in Zimbabwe

Black-and-white close-up of a dung beetle rolling a ball of dung, with tiny flies swarming nearby — 14-year-old photographer wins major wildlife photography award with a monochrome image of a dung beetle at work, pushing its cargo (Image credit: Oscar Whitfield / Wildlife Photographer of the Year)

14-year-old photographer Oscar Whitfield has won the prestigious Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with a striking black-and-white close-up image of a determined dung beetle rolling a ball of dung, with a swarm of flies nearby.

The award-winning image, Labour of Love, was taken with a full-frame mirrorless camera and telephoto lens during a family game drive in Zimbabwe, where the British photographer lives. The photo has earned Oscar one of the biggest honors in wildlife photography.

The Wildlife Photographer of the Year, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London, announced him as the winner of the 11–14 Years category and the competition’s Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year Grand Title.

The Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026

Tech info
Camera: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | C
Exposure: 1/1250 sec, f/6.5, ISO 3200

"This is exceptionally well done. Photographing such a small, constantly moving subject is challenging, yet the image feels so intentional. The composition reveals an entire story and by doing so the photograph quietly reveals how life cycles depend on what we often overlook or dismiss," explains Jury Member Jasper Doest.

Oscar is a Stonyhurst College pupil, where students have access to state-of-the-art facilities to help them explore and develop their skills in photography.

"We hope his success will inspire other young people to explore their own creative interests and discover the extraordinary opportunities that photography can offer," explains Sarah Joseph, Deputy Head Academic.

She also highlights the technical skill and creativity behind Oscar's award-winning image, as well as "the patience, curiosity and attention to detail required to capture something truly special."

A post shared by Oscar Whitfield (@oscar_whitfield_photography_)

See the winning images

The sixty-second Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition will be on display from October 16, 2026 until July 11, 2027 at the Natural History Museum in London. Tickets are available here. Discover more winning images on the Natural History Museum website.

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Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Kim covers everything from breaking industry news and camera gear to the stories shaping photography today. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, she explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture.