Our Polar Planet Award

Dear Explorer,

Welcome to Our Polar Planet Photography Award.

Our Polar Planet is a competition by Secret Atlas that offers an opportunity to an up and coming photographer who is passionate about conservation to win an expedition with Secret Atlas.

As a leading sustainable small ship operator, we are passionate about protecting the places we explore and we want to contribute to documenting the changes that are taking place in the polar regions. 

The prize will offer a huge opportunity for a photographer to undertake a photography expedition to Svalbard to develop their portfolio and help raise awareness about the environmental changes taking place in the warming polar regions.

Who is the award aimed at?

• Photographers with some level of experience and a portfolio that can demonstrate an interest in either wildlife, nature, landscape or conservation photography.  
• Photographers who are passionate about conservation and creating awareness.
• Photographers who will be able to develop their portfolio through this trip.
• Photographers that have yet to shoot in the polar regions which include Svalbard, Greenland, Arctic Canada and Antarctica.

The Prize

To join an 8-day photography expedition onboard a small ship with just 11 other photographers to explore and photograph Svalbard early in the season. Photography highlights at this time of year include wildlife which could include polar bears and walruses, glaciers and sea ice. 

The expedition is run by a highly experienced expedition team consisting of an expedition leader, assistant leader and passionate Arctic filmmaker and photographer Florian Ledoux. 

The prize includes full board on the vessel, use of the Zodiacs and includes all meals and drinks. Accommodation is in a twin share cabin.

How to enter

The entry for Our Polar Planet 2023 is now closed. We will announce Our Polar Planet 2024 shortly. 

Timescales

15th December 2022 – Entries close. All applications must be received by midnight December 15th. 

3rd January 2023  – Shortlist Announced. Short listed applicants will be asked to supply more information.

17th January  2023 – Winner Announced

6th – 13th May 2023 – Expedition takes place in Svalbard

Good luck with your entry!

Terms and conditions

• The winner must be available to undertake the expedition which takes place 6th – 13th May 2023 and departs from Longyearbyen, Svalbard. 
• The winner is responsible for travel costs to reach the departure point of the expedition in Longyearbyen and their own personal travel insurance which is mandatory. (A bursary may be available if the winner is able to demonstrate they are from a low income background and do not have the means to reach the departure point). 
• The winner grants the non-exclusive access to images taken on the trip which can be used for promotional and PR purposes. 
• The winner agrees to participate in written and video interviews to help publicize Our Polar Planet.
• The winner agrees to allow work shot on the trip to be shown as part of future Our Polar Planet exhibitions. 
• The winner agrees to our booking terms and conditions which are standard on all Secret Atlas expeditions. 
• The expedition can not be swapped for any monetary value.
• The winner can not swap the place on the expedition with another person. 
• Secret Atlas reserves the right to withdraw the award if any of the details provided on the entry form are considered untrue. 
• Accommodation is in a twin cabin and may require sharing with another traveler of the same gender.