The 2024
SAVE THE FROGS!
Photo Contest
The 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest received 303 entries, from 104 photographers representing 27 countries!
Participating countries this year were: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the USA.
Thank you to all who took part! We look forward to seeing more photos from you in next year’s contest!
Please spread the word about the SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest!
Winners | Finalists | Semi-Finalists | Honorable Mentions | Summary | Photographers | Results
Grand Prize Winner:
Walter Rodriguez, Guatemala
My fascination for wildlife started at a young age, and frogs have always held a special place in my heart. With every encounter, I learn more about their unique adaptations and complex behaviours, which makes me love them more. As a photographer, I try to spotlight amphibians, a group of animals that is often overlooked. Frogs are frequently found in some of the lushest and most vulnerable habitats. This also creates a sense of urgency for me to raise awareness about their importance. If we lose them, we lose more than just a species, we lose the ecosystems they help sustain.
I’ve been photographing nature for more than ten years, with a special focus on macro work. I’m obsessed with lighting, and for years I’ve been building what I hope will be the “perfect” diffuser. A work forever in progress.
Photo is a Poison Dart Frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) from Loreto in the north-eastern Peruvian Amazon. It’s carrying a tadpole on its back, which it will deposit in a suitable body of water where it can continue its development.
Follow on Instagram @walterwandering
“Hi Kerry and SAVE THE FROGS! Team,
Thank you for organizing the photo contest! I’m thrilled and honored to have been awarded the grand prize among such talented photographers. I still can’t believe it.”
2nd Place:
Ramon Cavalcanti, Brazil
For the past two years I’ve been honored by taking herpetofauna photos in Brazilian biomes, including Amazon rain forest, Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna), Mata Atlântica and I feel like I can finally share my love with people around the world.
Photo: The white-lined leaf frog (Phyllomedusa vaillantii), a species of frog in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae. It is found in northern South America.
Follow on Instagram @herping_brasil
Organization: Instituto Boitatá
3rd Place:
Shannon Buttimer, USA
I am an amphibian disease ecologist who is lucky enough to work with Brazilian pumpkin toadlets. I make sure to capture the beauty of amphibians whenever I go into the field. Fun fact – when I was in grade school (a while back now), I organized a coin drive for SAVE THE FROGS!
Organization: The Becker Lab at Penn State University
Photo: A “Brachy stacky” of three Brachycephalus pitanga, a microendemic species of Pumpkin Toadlet. The photo was taken in São Paulo state, Brazil.
Follow on Instagram @eco.shannon
Best Salamander Photo:
Aidan McCarthy, USA
I am a PhD student based in the United States studying how remotely sensed LiDAR data can be used to monitor and assess the biodiversity and occupancy of various species of wildlife. However, my true love has always been amphibians and I love to get out in the field to photograph them whenever possible. If you enjoy my photography, I would you love to see more of my photos on my Instagram @aidan_mccarthy_wildife
Photo is of an incredibly photogenic, and handsome Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus), photographed in the foothills of Southern Ohio.
Follow on Instagram @aidan_mccarthy_wildlife
Best Caecilian Photo:
Geetesh Patil, India
I love exploring forests for frogs and snakes. I want to create awareness for saving wildlife through my photography.
The Giant Striped Caecilian (Ichthyophis davidi). In this species annular grooves are closely spaced. Tentacle is between and below the eye nostril line. Eyes are visible. Picture taken in Amboli, India.
Follow on Instagram @geetesh1987patil
Finalists
Congratulations to Bernhard Schubert, Guilherme Machado, Jamal Kabir, Lucas Botelho, Ramon Cavalcanti, Sandro Ramírez, Shannon Buttimer, and Walter Rodriguez! Click any image to view it larger; hover over it to see the photographer’s name.
Semi-Finalists
Congratulations to Adhish Dulal, Ahmed Junaid, Ciaran Nagle, Debbie Niehaus, Devraj Roy, Diego Monfredini, Francesca Massa, Giorgio Valmorbida, Julie Tattersfield, Katie Weisbecker, Khristian Venegas-Valencia, Luqmanul Hakim, Marco Tonin, Michael Barbieri, Michael Seigal, Michelle Gutjahr, Moira Wiedebusch, Moritz Roßbach, Sebastian Travez and Valentina Bollea! Click any image to view it larger; hover over it to see the photographer’s name.
“Hello. I just wanted to say thank you ever so much. I am delighted to be a semi-finalist in this year’s competition. So wonderful to see everyone’s entries of such beautiful frogs. Many thanks, Julie Tattersfield
Honorable Mentions
Congratulations to Ana Paola Mendoza Murillo, Antonio Coti Zelati, Bishal Prasad Neupane, Carina Kritzinger, David Foster, Gianpiero Andrigo, Ilaria Latini, Jay Meredith, Jill Howard Church, Johan Romero Garcia, Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata, Mattia Azzalin, Maurizio Teruzzi, Nadia Obando, Nikeet Pradhan, Nick Gustafson, Phil Cohen, René Fernando Bilbao, Sami Rice and Sonja Epps! Click any image to view it larger; hover over it to see the photographer’s name.
2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest Summary
The 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest brought together photographers and amphibian enthusiasts from around the globe to celebrate the beauty and ecological importance of frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. This year’s contest showcased an incredible diversity of amphibian species, captured in stunning detail and artistic brilliance. Through their lens, participants helped raise awareness about amphibian conservation challenges and inspired action to protect these vital creatures.
Entries came from all corners of the world, highlighting the global commitment to amphibian conservation. Photographers from the USA, India, Brazil, Germany and beyond submitted breathtaking images of amphibians in their natural habitats. From the translucent beauty of Glass Frogs to the vibrant colors of Poison Dart Frogs, the contest featured amphibians in a wide array of ecosystems, emphasizing their role in biodiversity and the urgent need for their protection.
The Grand Prize in the 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest went to Walter Rodriguez of Guatemala for his photo of a poison dart frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) parent carrying its tadpole in the Peruvian Amazon. The judges were swayed not just by the frog’s striking colors and the photographic clarity, but also because the photo tells a natural history story.
The 2nd Place went to Ramon Cavalcanti of Brazil, for his stunning photo of a White-Lined Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa vaillantii) walking on a branch. The 3rd Place went to Shannon Buttimer of the USA, for her photo of a “Brachy stacky”: three orange Brachycephalus pitanga, a micro-endemic species of Pumpkin Toadlet from São Paulo state in Brazil.
Categories winners of this year’s contest included Aidan McCarthy, whose captivating image of a Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus) photographed in the foothills of Southern Ohio, earned him the Best Salamander Photo award; and Geetesh Patil, whose Giant Striped Worm Caecilian (Ichthyophis davidi) shot won Best Caecilian Photo.
Numerous finalists contributed equally compelling images, making this contest a true celebration of photography and conservation. Each submission demonstrated the unique beauty of amphibians and the important ecological roles they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems.
“In 17 years of judging frog art, photo and poetry competitions, this was by far the most difficult to choose a winner, as there were so many exceptional entries”, said Dr. Kerry Kriger, the Founder and Executive Director of SAVE THE FROGS!.
The SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest aims to inspire people to take action for amphibian conservation through the power of visual storytelling. The photographs will be used to educate the public about the amphibian extinction crisis, raise funds for conservation efforts, and create educational materials to reach broader audiences. These stunning images not only bring attention to the plight of amphibians but also highlight the photographers’ passion for preserving the natural world.
We extend our gratitude to all participants for their contributions to this year’s contest and their dedication to amphibian conservation. The 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest continues to be a vital platform for showcasing the beauty of amphibians, sparking interest in conservation, and inspiring people worldwide to take meaningful action. To view the winning images, learn more about the contest, and enter your best amphibian photos, visit the official SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest webpage.
Some of the amazing photographers who took part.
Meet The Photographers
The photographers who participated in the 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest reflect a passionate and diverse community of amphibian enthusiasts and conservation advocates. Through their stunning imagery and compelling statements, they shared their unique perspectives on the importance of amphibians, the challenges these species face, and the vital role of photography in promoting conservation awareness.
Many photographers expressed a deep commitment to showcasing amphibians’ beauty and ecological importance, emphasizing their role as indicators of environmental health. Their work highlighted not only the visual appeal of these creatures but also the urgent need to document them in their natural habitats to inspire action and understanding. Whether capturing vibrant frogs, elusive salamanders, or rarely seen caecilians, the photographers aimed to shed light on species often overlooked.
Several participants shared personal stories of how their encounters with amphibians have fueled their conservation efforts. From thrilling discoveries in the wild to witnessing unique behaviors, their experiences have shaped their passion for protecting these animals and the ecosystems they inhabit. Their images offer a glimpse into the intricate lives of amphibians, encouraging others to appreciate and protect these remarkable creatures.
The photographers also demonstrated a strong desire to use their craft as a tool for education and advocacy. By bringing the beauty and diversity of amphibians into focus, they hope to bridge the gap between science and public awareness, sparking curiosity and a sense of responsibility among viewers. Their photographs serve as powerful visual narratives, connecting people to the natural world and inspiring collective action.
Together, the participants of the 2024 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest have created an extraordinary collection of images that celebrate amphibians and highlight the need for their conservation. Their dedication and creativity exemplify the global effort to protect these vital species, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire future generations.
View many of the photograhers below. You can click the “View larger version” button at the bottom right of the table to get a full-page view. Scroll down to see more photographers. Click on any image or text to see full size view.
Photo of Brachycephalus pitanga from São Paulo, Brazil by Shannon Buttimer.
We thank all the photographers for taking part!
2024 Results
Thank you to the judges for looking at all the photos, and making the difficult choices among lots of amazing amphibious submissions!
“Hello. Congratulations to all the organizers, participants and winners of the photography contest. Many thanks for the Honorable Mention that you have given me; this represents a caress to the soul of this old photographer; at the same time an incentive to continue following the path that I have chosen some decades ago in favor of contributing very modestly to the knowledge and defense of so many living beings that share this great house that shelters us, that we call Planet Earth. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this great family that is: SAVE THE FROGS!
A hug from Mar de Cobo, Argentina.”
– René Fernando Bilbao
We hope you enjoyed the photos!
Photo of Dendropsophus leucophyllatus by Sandro Ramírez of Peru.