Nayan Khanolkar

Nayan Khanolkar is a renowned Conservation Biologist and Award Winning Photographer who has aced almost every prestigious photography award including Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year, BBC Earth, and World Photo Awards. He is an absolute stickler for perfect RAW images and is renowned as an ethical photographer committed to the highest standards of wildlife photography.

An opportunity to work on documenting big cats in urban environments profoundly influenced the direction of his work, evolving into a long-term commitment and became a defining focus of his work. Photography for Nayan is a medium to also sensitize citizens to animal behavior, raise awareness about wildlife conservation, showcasing the beauty and fragility of India's rich natural heritage.

Nayan serves as a juror for celebrated photography awards including Sanctuary Awards and National Geographic. His work on man-big cats coexistence in Mumbai and its extended suburbs is often quoted as a blueprint for conservation studies, demonstrating how urban areas can successfully coexist with apex predators.

He is invited as a guest lecturer and speaker at several conservation forums, including reputed ones supported by the Natural History Museum and National Geographic. His expertise spans both scientific conservation research and exceptional photographic documentation of wildlife.

Mr. Khanolkar is known as a fair, strict, and democratic juror, accommodating diverse viewpoints while maintaining rigorous technical and ethical standards. His commitment to conservation and excellence in wildlife photography has made him a respected voice in both the scientific and photographic communities.

We were extremely fortunate that he agreed to jury at short notice, motivated by his genuine belief in what the Aarts Maestro platform is doing to encourage and build talent, and delighted by the fabulous tamper-proof jurying interface we offer.