A 17-year-old Italian photographer, Andrea Dominizi, has won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 award. His winning image, titled After the Destruction, is a striking macro photograph taken in the Lepini Mountains of central Italy. The shot contrasts a longhorn beetle (Morimus asper) with looming logging machinery, symbolizing the clash between nature and human activity. Using a wide-angle lens and an off-camera flash, Andrea created a powerful visual narrative that highlights the ecological role of longhorn beetles in decomposing dead wood and sustaining forest ecosystems. His work stood out for its storytelling and earned top honors in the 15–17 years category.
More Stunning Works by Andrea Dominizi
Here are seven additional stunning photographs from his Instagram account @a.andrea.do.
Praying Mantis
Andrea shares, "I took this photo at a small lake near my house. In order to obtain this shot, I had to look for a subject large enough and in a good enough position in relation to the sky to be able to photograph that same night." After finding the mantis, he waited for the right time to capture this breathtaking image, featuring the subject against a starry sky.
Bumble Bee
This image was captured in the Simbruini Mountains, showcasing the high-altitude Apennine landscape with wide, treeless grasslands and scattered plant life. The focus is on a foxglove flower with a buff-tailed bumblebee, emphasizing the crucial role of pollinators in sustaining fragile ecosystems worldwide.
Dragonfly
While heading back from an outing, Andrea noticed fast-moving insects in the air that turned out to be dragonflies. Despite low light and increasing rain, he made multiple attempts to photograph them, adjusting quickly to the conditions. After several shots, one image came out in focus, successfully capturing the moment.
European Mantis
This image was captured during a sunset walk in the hills after spotting a European mantis in a bush. With fading light and limited time before sunset, Andrea attempted backlit shots to make the most of the remaining glow. After a few quick attempts, he achieved the desired image just before the light disappeared.
Grasshopper
This image was captured several years ago after a storm, using a grasshopper as the subject to experiment with shadows. It marked one of his first attempts at more creative macro photography and new shooting styles. Even years later, the pursuit of a more personal and creative approach to nature photography has continued.
Rosalia Longicorn
This photograph shows a specimen of Rosalia longicorn on a dead beech tree, captured in the Lepini Mountains in central Italy. The species is protected in Europe and often photographed for its rarity and striking colors. However, the moment also highlighted the importance of ethical wildlife photography, stressing that capturing an image should never come at the cost of disturbing the subject or damaging its habitat.
