15-year-old photographer wins major award with wildlife moment many spend years trying to capture

Peregrine falcon in mid-flight with wings spread, holding prey in its talons against a clear blue sky.

Young photographer Jack Crockford has won the top honor at the British Wildlife Photography Awards 2026, winning the 12-14 Years category with a striking image showing a Eurasian hobby catching prey in mid-air.

Now 15 years old, Jack secured the prestigious award with a capture that freezes a fraction-of-a-second hunting encounter as the agile falcon reaches out to snatch its prey from the sky.

Capturing such a moment requires exceptional timing and plenty of patience – skills that wildlife photographers can spend years refining. Jack shot the winning image using a pro-level DSLR camera rather than one of today's latest AI-powered mirrorless cameras – combined with a super-telephoto lens.

'Acrobatic Hobby'

The photographer explains
"This is the Eurasian hobby, a small yet remarkably agile bird of prey. They combine their speed with this agility for a unique trait; catching insects mid-air.

"The size of their prey doesn't affect them, as it can vary from the smallest of flies to small birds.

"First, they lock on to their target. Next, they reach out with their super-sharp talons and snatch their prey. In this moment, a mayfly was unlucky as it became the hobby's next snack."

Launched in April 2016, the Nikon D500 is a pro-quality DX format DSLR that we praised as a "dream camera" in our review (Image credit: Nikon)

Shot info
Species: Eurasian hobby (Falco subbuteo)
Location: Staines Moor, England

Tech info
Gear: Nikon D500 + Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens
Exposure: 1/6400sec, f/8, ISO 800

The image has sparked discussion around gear and skill.

Capturing wildlife moments like this requires experience, dedication, and split-second timing to frame cleanly and avoid cutting the subject – especially in fast-moving scenes like a hunt.

Jack achieved the shot using a DSLR camera and lens without today's AI-assisted autofocus systems found in modern mirrorless cameras, making the result particularly impressive given his age of just 15.

For more winning images and full results, visit the BWPA website and explore the incredible work of this year's photographers.

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