Welcome to the 1854 Media

and British Journal of A guide for photographers of every level

Photography guide to
entering photography
awards. This guide will give
you valuable insights into How to get
the world of awards the most out
of photography
awards

How to get the most out of photo competitions 1

 Contents
Senior Writer – Creative Content
Sarah Roberts
Contributor
Beth Ryan
Creative Director
Mick Moore Welcome Advice from industry
Chief Sub-Editor
Kathy Ball 5 Introduction professionals
Creative Development & Awards Director
Melanie Philippe 7 About us 16 Introduction
Interested in collaborating on a guide 8 Why enter photography awards? 18 The experts break it down for us
with us? Contact Melanie Philippe at
marketing@1854.media
Tips for entering 24 Which competitions
photography awards should I enter?

9 Introduction 30 Success stories

10 Which images should I enter?

Image © Juno Calypso,
12 Should I enter single-image contests? from the series What to do With a Million Years.

14 Should I create work specifically for

a competition?

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2 How to get the most of photography awards How to get the most of photography awards 3

Do you dream
of getting your
work noticed?
Whether you are
a professional
photographer
or a budding Welcome
enthusiast, this There are hundreds of different photography
guide can help
awards around today. Some are catered towards
specific interests – you may be interested in
entering travel photography awards, or you might
be a keen landscape photographer. Or, if you are a
you get the most
professional photographer, you could be thinking
about entering more high-profile contests, such
as our very own BJP International Photography
Award, or the World Press Photo Contest.
out of awards
We are here to help photographers, of any
level, to be selective in their approach. Awards
can cost money, and it’s impossible to enter
everything you come across. Brought to you by
two of photography’s leading voices, 1854 Media
and British Journal of Photography, this expert
guide can help you choose what and how to enter,
Opposite: Night Watch at Salmon Farm © Euan Myles,
to ensure you get the most out of photography
Portrait of Britain winner, 2018. competitions. From learning how to curate your
4 How to get the most of photography awards
Introduction
work so that it best shows off your artistic style
and goals, to writing a striking statement, this
guide will ensure you submit your work effectively.
Entering your work to juried photography
competitions is the first step you can take towards
building a global audience for your photography.
And while there is no precise formula for
determining which competitions are right for
you and your work, several factors can help you
to decide, such as judges, theme, prizes and
exposure. Then it’s up to you to edit your images
to fit the competition guidelines.
We have sought the advice of judges and
competition winners to give you a unique and
valuable insight into the world of awards. The
aim? To understand how to increase your
chances of winning.
Good luck!
Introduction 5
“Awards are an
About us

1854 Media and British Journal of

increasingly
Photography are the UK’s leading
sources for art photography

important way for 1854 Media

1854 Media is an award-winning digital media organisation with

photographers to
a global audience, including millions of photographers, arts lovers
and industry leaders.
At 1854’s core is British Journal of Photography, the world’s
longest-running photography title, which has been showcasing

have their work

pioneers of the art form since 1854. It has also created an
internationally renowned photography awards programme, which
includes OpenWallsArles, BJP International Photography Award,
Portrait of Britain and Portrait of Humanity, all of which aim to

seen by media and

discover and promote new talent.
Our visual content agency, Studio 1854, helps brands use the
power of photography and video to cultivate and engage larger

industry leaders
Below: Winners of BJP’s Portrait
of Britain 2018 award were also
featured in a book, published by
Hoxton Mini Press.
audiences, by leveraging our relationships with the world’s top
photographic influencers and our understanding of the visual
content that engages them.

and also to be
recognised by their
peers, which leads
to increased profile
and can help to
win clients”
Marc Hartog, founder & CEO of 1854 Media
6 How to get the most of photography awards How to get the most of photography awards 7
Why enter photography awards?

Photography award
s have shaped the careers
of some of the biggest
names working in the
industry today
What you
should consider
In photography, the road to success can seem long
and winding. Establishing yourself in the industry
can take years of hard work, and even then, success

when entering
is not guaranteed. The publicity and opportunities
afforded by photography competitions can change all
that, and are, in our view, very worthwhile pursuits
for photographers of all levels hoping to boost their
exposure or to fund new projects.
“Competitions allow for photographers’ work
photography awards
to be seen by a large pool of people, which is
always beneficial,” explains Alona Pardo, curator
at the Barbican, and judge of BJP’s International
Photography Award 2018. “Getting your work in
front of as many people as possible, be it through
competitions, portfolio reviews or the like, is a great
way to engage the wider photographic community.”
Competitions can give you the opportunity to
have your work seen by some of the most influential
figures in the industry, even if you don’t win. And
they are not just for the aspiring professional
photographer. Even budding enthusiasts can gain
something from the experience of entering them.
They are a great focus, and can force you to consider
alternatives to subjects you usually shoot. The very
process of selecting and submitting entries can also
help you to develop valuable self-assessment skills.
So what photography competitions are on offer?
And what is needed to stand a chance of winning?
Follow this guide to find out.
There are several things to take into
consideration when you are entering
photography awards, both in terms of
selecting which awards to enter, and
thinking about how best to enter them.
For Simon Bainbridge, editorial
director of British Journal of
Photography, the most important thing
you can do is make sure your entry is
readable. “Make sure the judges can
quickly grasp what you are trying to
convey,” he says. Flicking through
hundreds, or even thousands, of entries
means that those which stand out to
judges are often the ones most directly
related to the theme, so it’s important
to carefully consider the subject of
a competition and how your work
responds to it when you prepare
your entry. Beyond that, you need to
make sure the competition rewards
are worthwhile.
“There should be two main factors
to take into account when you are
thinking about which competitions to
enter; what is the opportunity, and who
are you getting your work in front of?”
continues Bainbridge. “The opportunity
should be fairly obvious, as it usually
revolves around some kind of exposure
for your work.”
This section of the guide will look
at which competitions are worth your
while entering, as well as giving advice
on how to select a suitable image, and
whether you should ever create work
specifically for the purpose of entering it
into a competition.

8 How to get the most of photography awards How to get the most of photography awards 9
 Tips for entering photography awards
Learn how to select your
most suitable picture
Photographers often enter
competitions knowing they have
the perfect image in their portfolio,
ready to submit. At other times,
photographers may wish to enter a
photograph they have already taken,
but find it hard to determine which
one is best to choose.
This can be one of the most
challenging decisions you make
when entering a photography
competition, but it can help you to
develop valuable self-assessment
skills. Initially, ask your friends
and family for their opinions, or
look to Facebook photography
groups and forums to seek out
advice from fellow photographers.
There are a good number of groups
Image © Felicity out there that are worth joining,
Hammond, Single
Image winner,
such as FlakPhoto Network, or the
BJP IPA, 2016. #MagMod Community.
Bainbridge’s advice is to be
10 How to get the most of photography awards
mindful of repeating aspects of images
that have been successful in previous
years. “Photography competitions
often gain unwanted identities
because entrants submit photographs
that are similar to what has been
chosen before,” he explains. In 2016,
Rosie Matheson’s portrait of Elliott Jay
Brown was one of Portrait of Britain’s
most recognisable winning images,
and it was shared widely around the
globe. “Since then, we have ended
up with loads of people entering
images of moody, freckled, red-haired
youths,” says Bainbridge.
The solution? Be bold and
confident in your choice. Don’t
follow trends, but instead choose an
image that best reflects your work.
Responding to a theme doesn’t mean
playing it safe or copying what has
been done in the past.
How to get the most out of photo competitions 11
 Tips for entering photography awards
What you need to consider when picking
a picture for a single-image competition
Many competitions call for single-
image entries instead of an entire
body of work. This needs a different
approach when choosing an edit, as
you are looking for work that can
be easily understood when it stands
alone, without being accompanied by
a series narrative.
There are definitely benefits
to entering single-image contests,
but you must consider that your
photograph, if it is shortlisted, will
usually be displayed as part of a group
exhibition. If you are comfortable with
this, single-image competitions are a
great way to show off a piece of work,
and to reap incredible rewards. They
allow you to be part of a movement,
Pat © Jane Hilton,
Portrait of Britain
and catch the attention of a vast
winner, 2018. number of people in the industry.
12 How to get the most of photography awards
For the purpose of a group
exhibition, single-image contests
are usually themed. Take, for
example, our Portrait of Humanity
award. Calling for images that
show the many facets of our human
experience, Portrait of Humanity is
an opportunity to exhibit your work
around the world, and to show what
humanity means to you.
If you are entering a single-image
contest, do consider how your work
responds to the overarching theme.
Don’t forget that the image must be
easily understandable for the judges,
who will be assessing it within the
context of the theme, as well as its
standing as an exceptional photo.
Make sure you submit something that
will catch their attention.
How to get the most out of photo competitions 13

We asked the experts whether you should ever
make work simply to enter into a competition
You may have been thinking about entering
a particular contest for some time, but without
knowing if any of the work in your portfolio
is the right fit for the theme. Or you may feel
like you need the added pressure of a looming
competition deadline to push you to create
new work. In these circumstances, you might
be considering making work purely for the
purpose of entering it into a competition. So is
this a good idea?
“Never,” says Hannah Watson, a judge of
the BJP International Photography Award, and
director of contemporary London art gallery,
TJ Boulting, which hosts the BJP IPA winning
series for a month each year. “The work comes
Image from the
first. Competitions are for afterwards, when you
series Dreamatorium, are ready to get the work out there.”
© Paulina Otylie
Surys, BJP IPA
However, some experts take a slightly
shortlisted, 2018. different stance, such as Barbican curator and
14 How to get the most of photography awards
Tips for entering photography awards
BJP International Photography Award 2018 judge
Alona Pardo whose opinion is more ambivalent.
“My initial reaction to this question was ‘Never!’”
says Pardo. “But on reflection, it depends on the
type of competition a photographer is entering.
The guiding principle should always be to make
work that feels authentic. What I mean by that is
to submit work that stays true to the artist’s vision
and photographic language. For example, if you’re
not a natural portraitist, don’t try to shoehorn
your work into that genre.”
The overarching aim is to make work that
is in keeping with your interests, photographic
style and singular vision, but do not let yourself
shy away from creating new work specifically for
a competition if you can meet those aims while
doing so. Whether it is the right tactic or not,
though, remains subjective, much like the nature
of a winning image.
How to get the most out of photo competitions 15
 Who better Advice from professionals

to give advice
on entering
photography
competitions
than the
judges of
our awards?

1854 Media and British Journal of

Photography seek to engage the world’s
leading photography experts as judges
of our awards. This way, we can ensure
you get the most skilfully trained eyes on
your photographs. Whether you win or
not, you can rest assured that your work
will be seen by people whose opinion
really matters.
Over the next few pages, we have
compiled advice from some of the
Image from the world’s most senior photographic
series Mt Meru
© Harit Srikhao, BJP
experts – from curators to editors and
IPA shortlisted, 2018. gallerists – to guide you in your entries.

16 How to get the most of photography awards How to get the most out of photo competitions 17
Advice from professionals
Caroline Hunter
Picture editor at The Guardian
Weekend magazine
Portrait of Britain 2018 judge
“When entering into a photography competition,
be original, creative and confident in the images
you choose to select, and think about what you’re
trying to say or convey.
Photography, like art, can be very subjective,
and while judging panels can reach unanimous
decisions, each jury member is often assessing
work based on their own subjective experiences
and background. The photographer has to trust
their own instinct.
My main piece of advice would be to enjoy the
process of creating and not to get too caught up
with what the judges will like or dislike. See the
process as an opportunity to creatively assess your
own craft as well as a chance to view some great
examples of photography.”
Martin Usborne
Co-founder of Hoxton Mini Press
Portrait of Britain 2018
and Portrait of Humanity 2019 judge
“The biggest benefit of entering a photography
competition is the exposure, not just to the public
if you are selected, but also to an influential
panel. It’s a good way to get your work out there.
Too many photographers – and I speak from
experience – are too cautious with their work.
When selecting an image to enter, go
with your heart. Don’t anticipate what you
think is in the judge’s interest. One can always
tell a photograph that is taken with genuine
engagement rather than one that follows a
perceived trend. Be bold. Take risks. Don’t fear
rejection too much.”
From the series
Apostate © Harry
Flook, Portrait of
Britain winner, 2018.
18 How to get the most out of photo competitions
Mark Sealy
Curator and cultural historian
BJP International Photography Award
2018 judge
“When judging photography competitions,
I’m always looking for innovative artists who
are using photography in ways that can help us
understand ourselves better as people. Be brave
and diligent. Get rid of pretensions and ditch your
sense of entitlement. Throw out anything that
looks mediocre. A few good photographs can go
much further than a lot of average ones.
Also, don’t create work specifically to enter
into a competition unless it’s already something
that fits with what you do. My best advice would
be to stay away from spaces you do not feel
comfortable with.”
Alona Pardo
Curator at Barbican Art Gallery, London
BJP International Photography Award
2018 judge
“As a juror, you want to be immediately engaged.
Whenever I’m in this position, I try to really
look, understand and get beyond the surface of
the image. It’s difficult to pin down exactly what
rings out above the rest, but an image that forces
you to look again, is striking and captures the
imagination, either for its clarity or complexity,
will be noticed.
Editing and sequencing is an art form in and
of itself. For photographers who work in narrative
form, the edit is critical. You need to spend time
reflecting on what it is you want to convey. For
artists working in a conceptual mode, it can
be incredibly difficult, as often the work takes
on different physical iterations depending on
the spatial context. In both instances, I suggest
talking it through with your peers and seeking out
second opinions, as an objective critical voice is
always helpful.”
How to get the most out of photo competitions 19
Advice from professionals
Hannah Watson
Director of TJ Boulting Gallery, London
BJP International Photography Award
judge
“Competitions are a strategic part of getting your
work out there. Choose which ones you think are
most relevant for it. And if you don’t win, don’t
worry, as the judges will have seen your work,
which may come in useful for another time.
Remember that we are viewing on screens,
and are going through thousands of images each
day, so if you are entering a series, it has to hold
together visually without needing too much in-
depth explanation. If something catches our eye,
then we will always read the text, so don’t forget
to make a concise statement that encapsulates
your work as well, especially if you feel your
photography is more conceptual and needs it.”
Simon Bainbridge
Editorial director of British Journal
of Photography
BJP awards judge
“Exposure is often misused as cover for people
who view photography as a free commodity, but
if it’s a real opportunity, it should provide you
with an audience that could fast-track your career.
That’s certainly the case for some of the previous
winners of our International Photography Award,
who would have made their mark without our
help, but it might have taken them longer, and
cost more investment to get there. Competitions,
if they are credible, provide validation, and you
need that in every walk of life.”
20 How to get the most out of photo competitions
Julia de Bierre
Owner, founder and curator of
Galerie Huit Arles
OpenWalls 2018 judge
“When sitting on the jury of photographic
competitions, I’m continually astounded by what
can be produced by the medium – intellectually,
aesthetically and technically. Of course, it’s always
a bit heart-breaking announcing the winner when
several proposals fit the bill.
The advice I would give to photographers
submitting their work is to make sure it’s cohesive
and in a sequence. Always remember that an
artist’s statement invariably needs careful editing.”
Vignes Balasingam
Founder and director of the
Obscura Festival of Photography
OpenWalls 2018 judge
“There are many benefits to entering awards.
You are able to open up your work to a diverse
audience who may otherwise not see it, which is
especially important for artists who are not from
the region of the competition. Competitions are
a good opportunity to get your work in front of a
jury of curators, editors and festival directors, who
may be looking for new artists and work to show.
They are also a great way to network with other
artists who may make the final cut with you.
Make sure you carefully read the competition
rules and guidelines, as this helps you understand
what the judging panel will be looking for.
Get reliable help in the editing of the work for
submission – sometimes a critical second pair of Clément Saccomani
eyes makes all the difference.” Managing director of Noor Photo Agency
OpenWalls 2018 judge
“When I’m judging, I love that little moment when you look at a
photograph and realise you’ve discovered something stunning. To
catch a judge’s attention, make sure that your selection is a narrative,
and that you have a nice edit. Be pushy and ambitious, and mostly,
just be yourself. Don’t copy, innovate. Photography is a great tool
Harriet and her with which to interact with your audience, and to amplify someone’s
daughter © Amara
Eno, Portrait of
voice and experiences. A compelling and memorable photograph will
Britain winner, 2018. connect people and give them the opportunity to open a narrative.”
How to get the most out of photo competitions 21
 Advice from professionals

Daniel Miller
Founder of
YourDailyPhotograph.com
OpenWalls 2018 judge

“When we’re judging, we’re not going to

be looking at prints, we’re going to be
looking at digital files. Everybody looks
at a digital file a different size, and they’re
all optimised for different screens. I
think this is something that artists often
don’t keep in mind. It means that more
complicated images are at a disadvantage
during competitions, and when looking
to be sold. We see plenty of images and
great photographs in person, but they need
to be easy to relate to as a JPEG. When
making your edit, choose images that are
clear to understand in small sizes on a
computer screen.”

Genevieve Fussell
Senior photo editor at
The New Yorker
OpenWalls 2018 judge

“It’s important for a photographer to have

a clear intention behind why they make
their work. Artistic talent aside, this can
separate good photographers from great
ones. I find that many people aren’t able to
discuss their intention in a meaningful way.
This is a problem for me, as the work suffers
when intention is muddy. It’s not enough
to travel to some exotic land in an effort to
make compelling images. One should know
why they’re shooting what they’re shooting.
Otherwise, I think it’s important to push
yourself outside of your comfort zone.
Experiment. Don’t make the perfect image.
Break the rules and see what comes of it.”

Alan © David
Severn, Portrait of
Britain winner, 2018.

22 How to get the most out of photo competitions How to get the most out of photo competitions 23
Which awards
Aperture Portfolio Prize
The Aperture Portfolio Prize is an annual
should
international competition looking to discover,
exhibit and publish new talents in photography.
The aim is to identify key trends in contemporary
photography, and to highlight artists who deserve
greater recognition, by selecting work that has
I enter?
not been widely seen in major publications or
exhibition venues.
Based on The first-prize winner is featured in
Aperture magazine and will receive a $3000
feedback from cash prize and an exhibition in New York. The
photography winner and up to four runners-up are featured
in an online gallery on aperture.org. All finalists
experts and are announced in the foundation’s e-newsletter,
reaching 50,000 subscribers, including key
photographers, members of the photographic community. The
here is a list of winner and runners-up may also be invited to
participate in the Aperture Foundation limited-
competitions edition print programme.
Calls for the 2019 Aperture Portfolio Prize are
for you to now closed, and will open again next year.
consider taking Foam Talent Call
Image © Anthony
Lycett, Portrait of
part in Each year, Foam Magazine holds a search for
exceptionally talented photographers between the
Britain winner, 2018.
ages of 18 and 35, from all over the world. This
year marked the 12th edition of the Foam Talent
Call, which was open for entries until March, and
will reopen early next year.
Selected photographers gain international
exposure and recognition within the photography
industry through a number of career-building
opportunities offered by the award, including
publication in Foam Magazine, participation in a
travelling group exhibition, and the opportunity
for their work to be added to the prestigious
Deutsche Börse Collection.
World Press Photo Contest
The World Press Photo Contest, which is now
closed for entries to its 2019 edition, rewards
photographers who have taken the best pictures in
the last year of visual journalism. Begun in 1955,
the contest is one of the world’s longest-running
visual art competitions.
Entries can be single images or stories, and
they are judged in terms of their accurate, fair,
24 How to get the most of photography awards
Competitions
and visually compelling insights about the world.
The contest is organised into categories, and the
prize-winning photographs are assembled in
an exhibition that travels to 45 countries and is
seen by more than four million people each year.
The winning pictures are also published in an
annual yearbook.
Winners of the World Press Photo of the
Year and the World Press Photo Story of the Year
awards receive €10,000 each, and a professional
Canon camera. Nominees are also brought to
Amsterdam in April to receive their prize in an
annual awards show, before the World Press Photo
Festival begins.
National Geographic
Photo Contest
The National Geographic Photo Contest
separates entries into three categories: wildlife,
people and places. The competition invites
photographers to enter images that show the
world, and that are revealing, transporting and
inspiring. Globally renowned, the competition is
judged on creativity and photographic quality by
a rotating panel of experts.
The latest contest is now closed, with winners
announced in December. The grand prize winner
receives $5000 and is published on the National
Geographic Instagram account. First-place,
second-place and third-place winners also receive
a cash prize.
Lucie International
Photography Awards
The Lucie International Photography Awards are a
group of prizes for professional, non-professional
and student photographers on a global scale,
which are presented annually at the Lucie Awards
gala. The winners of the main categories are
invited to attend the gala to compete for the main
award: International Photographer of the Year,
the recipient of which is given a Lucie statue
and a cash prize of $10,000. Winners are also
published in the IPA Annual Book of Photography,
and featured in the IPA Best of Show exhibition in
New York City.
The next edition of the awards will be open for
entries early next year.
How to get the most out of photo competitions 25
 Competitions

Taylor Wessing Photographic

Portrait Prize
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize
celebrates and promotes the best in contemporary
portraiture from around the world. Showcasing
talented young photographers, gifted amateurs
and established professionals, the competition
invites a range of images, from commissioned
portraits to more spontaneous and intimate
moments capturing friends and family.
Each year, the winner of the Taylor Wessing
prize receives £15,000. In addition, the judges
award cash prizes to one or more of the
shortlisted photographers at their discretion. The
winner and shortlisted photographers also exhibit
their works in an exhibition at the National
Portrait Gallery, a show that was seen by over
40,000 people in 2018.

OpenWalls
OpenWalls is a new international award series
from 1854 Media, aimed at creating opportunities
for emerging and established photographers to
exhibit their work in locations around the world.
Entries to the first instalment closed earlier this
year, and the 50 winning images will be exhibited
at Galerie Huit Arles to coincide with the 50th
edition of Les Rencontres d’Arles in 2019.
OpenWalls is a themed competition, which
is being judged as a single-image contest. The
theme changes annually, and the first edition
invited responses to ‘Home & Away’. Alongside
being part of a month-long group exhibition,
three winners will also be invited to attend the
photographic festival at which their work is
exhibited, and will receive a dedicated feature on
BJP-online.

Image from the series

Mt Meru © Harit Srikhao,
BJP IPA shortlisted, 2018.

26 How to get the most out of photo competitions How to get the most out of photo competitions 27

Portrait of Humanity
Portrait of Humanity is a global photography
award, run by 1854 Media and launched in
partnership with Magnum Photos, focused on
unifying the global community through the power
of photography. The theme of the competition is
centred on our ideals of individuality, unity and
community, and invites photographers of any level
to submit portraits from across the globe. Judges
are calling for single-image entries, which could
be part of an exhibition that will tour globally.
This year marks the inaugural Portrait of
Humanity award and will see 200 winning images
featured in a Portrait of Humanity book, published
by Hoxton Mini Press, and 50 of those images
will be part of the global tour. First, second and
third-place photographers will share $10,000
in grant awards to create projects that explore
their interpretations of humanity. The winning
images will also receive extensive global press
coverage, and will be judged by the world’s leading
authorities in photography.
Female in Focus
Female in Focus is a new award by 1854 Media
launching in spring 2019. Its aim is to highlight
the exceptional quality of photography by women
around the world. Acknowledging the gender
disparity in the photographic industry, the hope
is that the award will open up a greater number
of exhibition spaces to under-represented
photographers. Prizes will include participating
in a group show at United Photo Industries in
New York.
Female in Focus is inclusive of a multitude of
feminine voices, including those who are trans
and non-binary. We want to see new perspectives
and a spectrum of ideas, and to elevate the work
and careers of female professionals across the
globe.
Image from the series Ex-Voto
© Alys Tomlinson, BJP IPA
shortlisted, 2018.
28 How to get the most out of photo competitions
Competitions
Portrait of Britain
Portrait of Britain offers photographers access
to spaces across the UK, as we repurpose
JCDecaux advertising screens to create a public
art exhibition that shows the many faces of
modern Britain. Each year, 100 winning images
are exhibited nationwide, giving photographers
unparalleled exposure, alongside the opportunity
to be featured on BJP-online and in the annual
Portrait issue of BJP in October.
Portrait of Britain is now the largest exhibition
of contemporary photography ever held, as
much a celebration of photography as it is of the
country’s people. And 2018 saw the release of
the first-ever Portrait of Britain book, featuring
200 winning and shortlisted images in a globally
distributed work. Published by Hoxton Mini
Press, the book promises even more exposure for
both established and emerging photographers.
The next edition of the award will be open for
entries early next year.
BJP International Photography Award
Having run for over a decade, the BJP
International Photography Award seeks to find
the best in contemporary photographic talent,
and calls for bodies of work with a distinctive
narrative, on any topic. The chosen photographer
is awarded a solo show at TJ Boulting Gallery in
central London. Winners are also given extensive
industry exposure, global media coverage, and
feature both in print and on BJP-online.
The BJP International Photography Award
has dramatically changed the careers of successful
photographers with Juno Calypso, Felicity
Hammond and Daniel Castro Garcia among its
roster of previous winners.
The competition will later this year.
How to get the most out of photo competitions 29
 Winning a
Success stories

photography
competition
can give your
career the
boost it needs.
Here are some
thoughts from
our successful
photographers

Image from the

series The Merge
© Sara, Peter &
Tobias, BJP IPA
winner, 2018.

30 How to get the most of photography awards How to get the most out of photo competitions 31
Success stories
Nicolas Laborie,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“I was very grateful to be one of the Portrait of
Britain winners. The exposure has helped boost
my career, and in particular my first limited-
edition book, which the Portrait of Britain
winning picture came from. The portrait has
also been featured in Tempus magazine, with an
article about investment in art. I was also recently
invited to give a talk about the portrait, the book
and my experience in exhibiting across Britain,
thanks to my exposure from JCDecaux and
British Journal of Photography. On 16 April, I will
have a new portrait auctioned at Christie’s, to
raise money for the Terrence Higgins Trust. What
a year it has been! Thanks to 1854 Media and
British Journal of Photography.”
Mark Harrison,
Portrait of Britain winner,
2016, 2017, 2018
“Portrait of Britain made me look at my work
anew. Firstly, entering it creates its own edit of
the best shots of the last 12 months, and in that
alone you can see whether a style or change
in your work has happened. It is also the only
competition that rests on reflecting our country
for better or worse. It has certainly made me think
about projects that reflect the state of our nation.
Being selected was a great honour and gave me
a lot to shout about on social media. Clients
certainly noticed the competition and would
mention seeing my entries up and about.”
Felicity Hammond,
BJP International Photography Award
winner, 2016
“One of the most important outcomes of the
BJP IPA was the introduction of my practice
to a range of curators and professionals who
were not aware of it before. The award attracts
a wide range of people, many of whom I have
collaborated with since.
Entering the award is a way of presenting your
work to a panel of judges made up of curators,
writers and photographers. Even if you’re
unsuccessful in your application, someone may
remember your work in the future.”
32 How to get the most of photography awards
Image © Sophie Morris,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2018.
Sophie Morris,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“As a working photographer, Portrait of Britain
has inspired me in many ways, in particular to
create more personal project work. Since winning,
I have been invited to talk on BBC Radio
Leicester about my project and photography in
general, which has led to a solo exhibition, to be
held in the BBC Radio Leicester exhibition space.
Being a part of Portrait of Britain has given me
the confidence to enter more competitions and
get exposure in other ways.”
David Hawley,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“Portrait of Britain was fantastic for me. Unlike
most of the finalists, I don’t practise photography
professionally. It was a tremendous thrill and
a real boost to my confidence to be included
amongst a group of photographers whose
work I have admired and respected for, in
some cases, many years. Last year, I was also
represented in three other exhibitions in London
– two organised by Theprintspace and one at
Photofusion. I’ll be entering Portrait of Britain
again this year – so fingers crossed!”
Kerry Curl,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“Winning Portrait of Britain and being part of
such a huge exhibition has been incredible. It
has really encouraged me to continue with my
fashion portraiture work. It’s something that will
continue to help my career and my work progress.
To have work shown alongside so many brilliant
practitioners is inspiring. I’ve connected with
several of other winners and it’s really interesting
to see their projects and get to know their work.”
Alys Tomlinson,
BJP International Photography Award
shortlisted, 2018
“To have my interests recognised as resonating
beyond my own curious impulses is both exciting
and encouraging, while to receive recognition
from judges with such distinctive reputations is
a huge boost for my confidence – and gives me
the motivation to carry on!”
How to get the most of photography awards 33
Success stories
Colin Hutton,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017,
shortlisted, 2018
“I’ve had a very busy year as a photographer –
I think my Portrait of Britain entry has really
contributed to that. My speciality is taking
photographs for the world of TV and film, and
the entry certainly got noticed amongst peers
within that industry.
It has definitely encouraged me to start and
continue with personal photography projects.
A long-term project I did about the A406 North
Circular has gained some traction, and the Royal
Photographic Society are going to do a feature
about it, which is good news.”
Ruby Pluhar,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“Winning Portrait of Britain has given me the
confidence to take my portraiture photography
seriously. Since winning, I have been very active
within my practice and have been busy on a few
different projects while working in the western
American desert. I am currently working on
a project around the Amtrak train line, which
travels across the USA.”
Juno Calypso,
BJP International Photography Award
winner, 2016
“I’ve been very busy since winning the IPA.
I haven’t had to reach out to anyone. Everything
I’m doing now has flown directly from the
exposure I got from winning that exhibition. I got
given so many business cards on the evening of
the award, and suddenly curators and journalists
and exhibitors have been getting in touch with
me. I’m sure it came from the IPA.”
Brock Elbank,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“I was thrilled to be chosen as one of the
photographers showing in Portrait of Britain.
I love the idea of the gallery being in a public
space, and part of my portrait practice has
always been to champion the complexities
and beauty found in ‘ordinary’ people and
everyday life.”
34 How to get the most out of photography competitions
Zoe Childerley,
Portrait of Britain winner, 2017
“I have had a very busy year since being a part
of Portrait of Britain, and I’m sure the profile it
raised has really helped.
I received some Arts Council funding to
develop my work, which was inspired by a walk
along the Anglo-Scottish border where the
shepherdess portrait was made. It is now a book
published by Visual Arts in Rural Communities. Access to photography’s
I will also be putting on a solo show with Berwick
Visual Arts in the autumn.”
past, present and future
Clare Hewitt,
Portrait of Britain winner 2016, 2017 Our members receive monthly
“I was selected for Portrait of Britain in 2016 and issues of British Journal of
2017, and both times I found the experience to Photography in print and digital,
be really positive. It was certainly great to meet
free entry to all our awards
other exhibitors.
The portrait that was selected in 2017 was and commissions, exclusive,
of author and illustrator Judith Kerr. She called collectable covers, and more
me afterwards to say how thrilled she was to be
included – so many thanks for that.”
Verity Adriana,
Portrait of Britain shortlisted, 2018,
OpenWalls shortlisted, 2018
“Portrait of Britain has given me a lot of
confidence. For British Journal of Photography
to recognise my work gives me huge
encouragement within my practice. Seeing
my image in print in the Portrait of Britain
book was a huge moment for me; the book
is brilliant and features work of such a high
standard – I feel very honoured to be included.
I really enjoyed the launch evening and
celebrating with other successful entrants, as
well as meeting people and making network
opportunities.
This year, I have also been shortlisted for
the OpenWalls award, which means my work
will be exhibited in Arles. As my practice gains
confidence I am making more connections with
other practitioners. So it will be great to network
with them and it will be a proud moment for
me to know that my work is on the walls of this
amazing gallery space during Les Rencontres
d’Arles, supported by BJP.” bjp.photo/access