In October 2025, a 14-year-old French boy made waves in the photography world when two pictures depicting Alpine ibex picked up prestigious international awards.
Lubin Godin triumphed in youth categories for both Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPOTY) and the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year (EWPOTY).
Ibex are among the many wild animals Lubin has become accustomed to observing in their natural habitat.
A native of Taninges, a town of 3,500 inhabitants in Haute-Savoie, he regularly spends whole weekends trekking and exploring the mountains. The ibex pictures, however, were different.
“When I took them, I knew they were the best photos I had ever taken,” he told The Connexion. “But I did not expect to win such renowned prizes.
The first image, showing ibex resting, was one of 18 photographs – from 60,636 submissions – to be awarded a WPOTY prize. Just eight days later, the photograph showing an ibex on a rock, taken 15 minutes after the first, was awarded an EPOTY prize.
The Connexion asked him more about his photographic process, as well as his aspirations for the future.
Connexion: When did you take these pictures?
Lubin Godin: It was an August day at sunrise, near the Col de la Colombière, close to Le Grand-Bornand. We left at 5:00 in the fog and by 7:00 we had climbed above it.
The pictures were taken just before 8:00. As we climbed higher, the fog rose too. It reached the level of the ibex. The light hit the mist, and the rocks cast shadows in it. It created a stunning atmosphere.
You may not notice it, but there are always three ibex in the frame – each time there’s one that’s hidden.
Connexion: Is it difficult to photograph ibex?
LG: They disappeared from France in the 19th Century because of hunting.
Since their reintroduction, they have no longer been hunted and have lost their fear of humans but it is still rare to see them, let alone photograph them.
The ibex in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year shot were about 50 metres away. In the other shot, they were around ten metres away.
Connexion: What do you think caught the jury’s attention?
LG: The light, I think. I have seen it a few times before but it remains exceptional.
The glow at sunrise gives a slightly orange tone. The fog was white. When it mixes with the yellow light, it turns orange. But in some darker areas, the fog did not brighten completely.
Connexion: Animals are clearly your thing. Why?
LG: I love photography, but I mostly use it as an excuse to observe animals. That is what I enjoy most.
Wildlife is my favourite kind of photography. I am not drawn to urban subjects, because there is nothing I truly want to observe there. It is good practice for learning new techniques, but that is about it.
Connexion: Are there still animals you dream of photographing?
LG: I have a very long list! The lynx and the wolf are the ones I dream of seeing. They are large animals, often talked about, yet almost never seen. The way they are so discreet fascinates me.
I feel quite certain I have been watched by a lynx already, but I have never seen one myself.Bears interest me too.
There are not many in Haute-Savoie. I went to the Pyrenees last year, and also to the Abruzzo region in Italy – two places where they live – but did not manage to see one.
Connexion: What camera do you use?
LG: My camera body is a Canon Eos R7. The lens is a 100-400mm, which means it can zoom in eight times more than the human eye.
It is ideal for photographing timid animals that humans can’t get close to. I also have a teleconverter that increases the zoom range to between 140 and 560mm.
Connexion: Is a good photographer necessarily a patient one?
LG: For wildlife and landscape photography, yes. You often have to wait a long time for the right light, or for animals to appear.
Those who try to see the lynx have waited hundreds, even thousands of hours. It is a long process. Patience and knowledge of animals are essential. You cannot follow a lynx if you do not know the kind of habitat it lives in.
Connexion: Your older brother is a French mountain bike champion. How does photographing him differ from snapping animals?
LG: It is difficult because most of his competitions take place during school hours. I can’t exactly tell my teacher I am skipping class to take photos of my brother.
But if he competes during the holidays, then I go with him. On a bike, you know exactly where he will pass, so that part is easier.
But finding a good spot to take a great photo is often trickier than with ibex, for example, who move around freely in many different areas.
Connexion: Do you want to become a professional wildlife photographer?
LG: I would love to, but fewer than 10 people in France make a living out of it. I would like to work either in wildlife photography or in something related, such as mountain guiding or being a park ranger.
Connexion: What about working for the BBC, which has some of the world’s best wildlife photographers?
It would definitely be worth trying. Although, I must admit, my English is not great. I would need to practise. The Connexion will help [laughs].
