Girl, 10, commended in wildlife photography awards

Jamie has received global recognition in the annual Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2025, for her snapshot of a red deer stag

A photograph captured by a 10-year-old has been "highly commended" in this year's Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.

The competition received more than 60,000 entries from around the world, with Jamie Smart's snap of a red deer stag bellowing during an autumn rut being recognised in the top 100 at the annual awards.

Named The Rutting Call, it was captured on part of a two-day wildlife rutting season expedition at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire.

The young snapper, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, first picked up a camera at the age of six, saying she knew it was a good one, but never expected global recognition.

The world-renowned competition is in its 61st year, and is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, highlighting the unique and beautiful relationship between photography, science and art.

What began in 1965 as a magazine competition with just 361 entries has turned into one of the world's most prestigious photography awards, with over 60,000 entries each year and a touring exhibition seen by millions around the globe.

No stranger to national recognition, however, the gifted photographer became the youngest ever winner of Biaza's photographer awards in March 2025, for her image of an emerging grey reef shark, named "Out of the Blue".

The journey into photography all started with her love of dinosaurs, Jamie said, but when she discovered she had no chance of capturing those in the wild, she decided to draw her attention to wildlife.

She first used her father James' camera aged six, who is a hobby photographer.

"I didn't want to drop the camera at first," said Jamie, adding she initially found it hard focusing on wildlife, as birds would fly away.

But now, her parents joke they merely need to come along to carry the equipment.

The Rutting Call received "highly commended" runner up status at the global Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards

The commended image of the stag was captured while out filming with wildlife photographer Danny Green, which involved "12-hour days, early mornings and late evenings", Jamie said.

As well as being a gifted photographer, Jamie has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to wildlife, which helps when capturing those award-winning shots.

"It's actually monarch stag, he has over 16 spikes on his antlers, which shows he's a mature and strong stag," she said.

"A younger one came over the hill, it was running, bellowing. The stag was so tired, so he had to lay down.

"I laid down, but as I was just nine, the grass was very long and right on his face, but when he bellowed, he lifted up his body, and I was able to capture it."

Jamie said she thought it was a good one, as they rarely turn their head to look right at you, but the family never thought it would do quite so well.

Jamie is the youngest ever winner of Biaza's photographer awards for her image of an emerging grey reef shark, named Out of the Blue

Jamie's mum Eleri said the competitions were of such a high standard and often unpredictable, but puts her success down to a lot of hard work.

Nature is what drives Jamie's passion, Eleri said, and photography and nature marry well together.

The young snapper's talent first received national attention when she won one of the categories at the RSPCA's yearly photography competition in December 2023.

Her image of a Barnevelder cockerel, entitled Fighter, won first place for the category Pet Portraits, while three more of her snaps earned high praise.

Jamie became the youngest ever winner of the Crikey! Australia Zoo 14 and under category for this shot in 2024

Jamie documents her love for wildlife and photography to her 111,000 followers on Instagram, as well as speaking to animal experts on her podcast.

Her keen eye for wildlife has even seen her fly to the other side of the world to be alongside Robert Irwin in Australia, where she won two categories and saw 16 images shortlisted for display at Australia Zoo.

Now, Jamie is looking forward to heading to the awards in London on 14 October, and getting to have a look around the Natural History Museum.

Speaking of her end goal, she said had hopes to discover a new species entirely, but for the short-term, she is looking at taking on a new project to discover as much wildlife mid-Wales has to offer.