Joshua Holko

I’m an Australian born nature photographer based between Melbourne, Australia, and Sweden. My passion for wildlife and wild places led me to photography more than three decades ago. For over twenty years, I have specialised in photographing wildlife in some of the world’s most remote polar environments, with a particular focus on the Arctic.

My winning photograph was created in northern Iceland after nearly three weeks of working in challenging winter conditions. Capturing it required patience, careful planning, and a willingness to let the animals dictate the moment rather than trying to force an image. I needed dramatic weather, falling snow, the right wildlife behaviour, and an elevated location that provided the background I had envisioned. After many days of waiting, all these elements finally came together.

My intention was to capture an authentic moment that reflected both the beauty and resilience of wildlife in its natural environment. The interaction between the sibling foxes was essential to the photograph. It needed to reveal something about their behaviour, their relationship, and the harsh landscape in which they survive. Ultimately, the image is about respecting both the animals and the unforgiving world they inhabit.

Through this photograph, I wanted to share a rarely witnessed moment from the natural world and offer viewers a glimpse into the lives of wild animals that few people have the opportunity to experience firsthand. If the image inspires wonder and curiosity about nature and a deeper appreciation for the extraordinary resilience of animals living in such extreme environments then I feel I have achieved my goal.

The greatest challenge was waiting for everything to align: the weather, light, behaviour, and composition. Wildlife photography is often an exercise in patience, and nature rarely presents the perfect scene exactly as we imagine it. It took many days of persistence and constant readiness to be in the right place, under the right conditions, when the foxes finally became active.

My photographic approach is centred on clean, minimalist compositions that emphasise mood, atmosphere, emotion, and the character of the subject. I aim to create timeless images rather than simply document wildlife in the field. My style is strongly subtractive; while composing, I continually ask myself what can be removed from the frame to make the photograph stronger. I am always searching for images that tell a story and evoke a genuine emotional response.

Wildlife and wilderness have always been at the heart of my work. I believe people are more likely to care about what they feel connected to, so I try to create photographs that reveal the beauty, individuality, and vulnerability of wild animals in their natural environments. If my work encourages even a small number of people to appreciate and help conserve these remarkable species and places, then I feel I have accomplished something meaningful.

I have been inspired by many great nature photographers, including Vincent Munier and Jim Brandenburg. However, my strongest influence has come from spending countless hours observing wildlife and learning how to tell their stories through photographic art. I also studied art in my youth, and that foundation has contributed significantly to the development of my visual language and photographic career.

Winning at the Golden Shot Photography Awards is both a tremendous honour and a privilege. Having my work recognised by such a distinguished international judging panel is deeply affirming, yet also very humbling. Awards like this acknowledge the dedication and persistence required to create meaningful wildlife photographs. They also help bring the beauty of the natural world to a wider audience, allowing more people to appreciate what is so unique and precious about our planet.

For photographers considering international competitions, my advice is to create work that reflects your own vision rather than trying to anticipate what the judges might prefer or imitate the work of others. Be patient, remain persistent, and submit only photographs that genuinely make you proud and connect with you on a deep emotional level. Authenticity and consistency will always stand out, and images that communicate a strong sense of story and emotion will naturally rise to the top.