Maruša Puhek, an acclaimed photographer from Radenci, has been crowned the winner of the prestigious World Nature Photography Awards 2025 (WNPA) for her image of two deer gracefully sprinting through a snow-covered vineyard in northeastern Slovenia.

Puhek, who is currently based in Austria, took the winning photo as part of her 366 project, where she captured one image every day, carrying her camera everywhere.

On winning the title of World Nature Photographer of the Year, she said she first struggled to believe the news before being overcome with emotion.

"A powerful sense of gratitude washed over me towards everyone who believed in me. I never imagined I could win such a competition with a photo of 'ordinary' deer taken in a tiny village in Pomurje.

"Most award-winning images usually come from exotic locations, showcasing rare animals and plants whose names I don't even know. I'm thrilled that simplicity and a story open to endless interpretation prevailed this time. This award came at just the right moment, showing me the path I need to follow," she said.

Puhek's winning photo, taken in the Pomurje village of Murščak, features two deer darting through a frosty vineyard.

"It was a freezing January day when I spotted the two deer ... I took a few shots, frustrated that I didn't have a telephoto lens with me. Only later, while editing, did I realise how lucky I was; the scene wasn't overly zoomed in, allowing the snowy surroundings to remain an essential part of the composition," the World Nature Photographer of the Year explained.

The WNPA is regarded as one of the leading competitions in nature photography, celebrating photographers whose work tells compelling stories about the natural world and highlights the urgency of conservation. Divided into 14 categories, this year's contest drew thousands of entries from 48 countries, judged by a panel of experts.