.png){kind=logo}
3 hours ago
3
There’s something powerful about a face that tells a story before a single word is spoken. That’s the heartbeat of Portrait of Britain—a project that doesn’t chase trends or tidy narratives, but instead leans into real people, real lives, and real moments. This year, 1854 Media proudly unveiled the winning images from Portrait of Britain Vol. 8, reminding us why portrait photography still hits different when it’s done right.
Announced by the British Journal of Photography, the competition—launched back in 2016—was built to celebrate the rich, ever-evolving mosaic of Great Britain. For the 2025 edition, thousands of submissions poured in from across the country. From that sea of faces, 200 images were shortlisted, and 100 ultimately took the win. The 30 featured here are just a taste of that broader, deeply human collection.
What makes these portraits stick isn’t polish—it’s honesty. Veterans, scientists, fishmongers, ballerinas, farmers, and everyday people caught mid-life all step into the frame. Some were born and raised in the UK, others arrived later, and a few were simply passing through. As the British Journal of Photography puts it, the most compelling stories of Britain don’t come from borders or beliefs, but from the people themselves—and these images prove it.
True to its mission of taking photography beyond gallery walls, Portrait of Britain brings these winning images straight to the streets. From January 12 through February 8, all 100 portraits will light up JCDecaux UK digital screens nationwide. Meanwhile, the 200 shortlisted works live on in the Portrait of Britain Vol. 8 photobook, published by Bluecoat Press and sponsored by WePresent, now available for pre-order. This isn’t just a photo series—it’s Britain, face to face.
You can find more info:
#1. "No More War" by Mark Cocksedge
"Portrait of Giles Duley, photographer, writer, chef, presenter and CEO: "Photography is relatively simple. You point a camera in the right direction and press a button. But it has taken me 40 years to determine which direction to point the camera. I realised then with photography, I was not going to be noticed because I wasn’t the best photographer. I was doing nothing particularly unique, and I would have to find a way to ensure my work was seen.""
#2. "Chris" by Ben Bradish-Ellames
"A photograph inspired by the paintings of queer British painter and sculptor, Glyn Philpot. Particularly through his works and portraits of Henry Thomas, circa 1934-35."
#3. "Misty Margate" by Ben Hickling
"As Emerson emerged from the mist on Margate Beach, his vibrant winter clothing and bicycle created a striking contrast against the soft, foggy backdrop. This scene felt like something straight out of a children’s adventure book, full of mystery and possibility. The coastal atmosphere, combined with the burst of color from Emerson’s attire, made for a uniquely enchanting moment, which also felt singular and rare for my seaside project."
#4. "Sibling Love" by Capri McPherson-Noel
"Tangled together by kinks, coils and care. The importance of Black siblinghood and Black hair and how it is a rich, layered theme that beautifully weaves together identity, heritage, and connection. We are our own protectors of us and our culture. We must stand united. Be proud."
#5. "Fatima" by Craig Fleming
"Fatima Niemogha, who is Deaf, is an independent artist and producer based in London."
#6. "Kae Tempest" by Darren Skene
"Kae Tempest backstage at Victoria Warehouse during the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival in March 2025. This shot was taken shortly after Kae came off stage, where he performed new material from the album Self Titled for the first time. It was a personal and emotional moment which I felt incredibly privileged to be present for."
#7. "Dr. Marco Schioppo (back) and Adam Parke (front) monitoring the ultrastable laser at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, London" by David Severn
"National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington operates the UK’s national time scale UTC (NPL) and the UK primary frequency standards, and uses these to contribute to global atomic timekeeping. Atomic timekeeping underpins technologies that are part of our daily lives, such as telecommunications, the internet and global navigation systems. NPL is developing and characterizing a new generation of atomic clocks which are based on laser-cooled trapped ions and atoms with ultra-narrow optical transitions. These optical atomic clocks outperform existing caesium-based atomic clocks in terms of accuracy and stability, with the potential to deliver time and frequency uncertainties 100 times better."
#8. "Effat, 89, Iran" by David Tett
"I came to the UK in 2012 to join my daughters, who were already living here. I have no other children, and it was important for me to be close to them. Leaving Iran wasn’t easy. What I found most difficult was missing my sisters. When I first arrived, it was okay – my children took care of me, and that made all the difference. Still, there are things I miss about home: the food, and the weather in particular.
"Not speaking the language has been my biggest challenge. But being surrounded by family has brought me the greatest joy. Their presence has made this place feel like home. If someone I knew was planning to come to the UK, I’d tell them to expect bad weather. But
beyond that, I would hope they’re met with kindness.
"What I wish most now is to live the rest of my life in comfort. I would also like the native
people to show more understanding towards migrants. That would mean a lot."
Effat Saadat was born on November 14th, 1935, in Iran and arrived in the UK in 2012. I
photographed her as part of the 100 Years 100 Migrants project, which features 100 people from 100 different countries and across 100 different ages living in London.
#9. "Sancha Laxmi Chamling Rai" by Farnborough, UK
"The Kirati Rai are an ancient indigenous group from Nepal. This work explores the Kirati Rai diaspora in the UK, highlighting how their cultural heritage has endured and evolved through celebrations, memories, and migration. The influence of British culture, informed by centuries of Gurkha involvement in the British Army, is quietly evident in their dress and jewellery, the two interwoven cultures creating something entirely unique to this group."
#10. "Bollyvvitch" by Edward Jones
"Drag artist, author and singer-songwriter, Bollyvvitch is preparing to release her debut album that showcases her creative expression, as a practicing witch and her lived experiences as a South Asian trans woman."
#11. "Elvira" by Jack Lawson
"Elvira owned an independent shop on Clapham High Street. Anyone who has walked along that road would recognise her impeccable dress sense and infectious smile. Unfortunately, like many independent shops, it has now closed and is another vacant storefront on a high street."
#12. "Jounaid, Go Back To Where?" by Jaiyana Chelikha
"Go Back to Where? explores identity and belonging through the lens of second-generation immigrants. The subject, half-Moroccan and half-French, was born and raised in the UK, yet his identity is often questioned.
Shot against the vast British moors, a landscape deeply tied to national identity, he wears a Gandoura, a traditional Moroccan garment. This contrast visually represents the duality of his experience, balancing heritage with the reality of growing up in Britain. His layered styling, blending tradition with contemporary streetwear, reflects the fluidity of identity."
#13. "Judy in her secret garden" by James Rogers
"I met Judy at a party, and was instantly drawn to her sincere and whimsical character. She invited me to visit her home, and I knew such an interesting woman would have a house to match. Her eccentric property seemingly stretched on forever, full to the brim of antiques and artifacts she had collected for over 50 years. It was her "secret" garden that caught my eye the most. Like her, it was bursting with colour and character."
#14. "The Foresters, Tim and the lads" by Joanne Coates
"The Foresters of Carlton in Coverdale. In the misty light of the Yorkshire Dales, three generations stand shoulder to shoulder. The keepers of a quiet tradition that spans centuries. They are members of the Foresters, part of the rich but fading tapestry of Friendly societies in the UK. Dressed in ceremonial sashes and heritage green, they mark not just a ritual, but a way of belonging."
#15. "Almost Synchro" by Jonathan Cherry
"Almost Synchro is a collective of twenty Bristol-based swimmers, bound by a shared passion for outdoor swimming and the art of moving together in water. The group first formed in 2019 for a mass synchronised performance marking the centenary of Bristol’s Henleaze Swimming Lake. In the years that followed, through the quiet persistence of a smaller core, Almost Synchro emerged as a dedicated ensemble. Their performances, staged both in open water and on dry land, combine playfulness with purpose. While they celebrate the beauty of collective movement, they also use their work to draw attention to urgent issues – from the fight against water pollution to the campaign for safe and accessible bathing spaces for all. This project was originally commissioned by The Simple Things magazine as part of their series on Modern Eccentrics."
#16. "Beth After The Race" by Jude Bytheway
"You have to be tough to compete as a cyclist. It’s even harder to progress if you are a woman. Beth cycles for a Scottish development cycling team. She dedicates time, effort and focus over months in order to achieve at a competition. I wanted to capture the emotion after the race, when all the training, the excitement and the effort is over. The portrait is in that moment of exhaustion and vulnerability. Beth works as hard as the male cyclists and deserves the same opportunities."
#17. "Lisa, Brooks Factory" by Lloyd Wright
"Lisa was working on one of the machines behind when I asked to take her photograph. She seemed surprised, but I loved the way she held herself, her look felt timeless in the old factory, one of the few workers wearing the traditional machinist jackets and doing so with an ease that felt so natural."
#18. "Bobby & Courtney" by Meg Jordan
"In the run up to their wedding this year, I wanted to capture the couple at home. An exciting moment of change. The gentleness of their touch and the symmetry in their body language really showed the intertwining moment between them."
#19. "Is There Instagram on Mars" by Neil Bedford
"My niece Florence, photographed as part of an ongoing series, Is There Instagram on Mars? A reactionary project about our obsession with social media, in the same way I was obsessed with aliens and UFO’s as a child. Neither make sense but both bring an idea of a different life."
#20. "Maurice" by Niamh Shergold
"Green Grass’ is a series of medium format portraits, capturing people who inspire me in my hometown. Everyone has heard the phrase ‘the grass is greener on the other side’. I grew up believing in this statement, which resulted in never feeling peaceful within myself or content within my life."
#21. "Princess Julia in Red" by Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
"I have been photographing fashion, art and music icon Princess Julia for almost twenty years. We often shoot together, just the two of us, in locations around Julia’s East London flat, no stylist, no hair or makeup, just the two of us collaborating. Julia first found fame as one of the faces of the New Romantic movement, and her outfit in this image, at Fellow Court in Hoxton, harks back to that era of fashion."
#22. "Faith – Islam" by Ritchie Elder
"Portrait of Alaa, a member of the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh.
This image is from my documentary project ‘Faith’, which examines the diversity of religious experience and identity in Edinburgh. This work seeks to foster a deeper understanding of how spirituality shapes daily life, culture, and community. It highlights the unique expressions of religion across different communities, exploring the intersection of faith and personal."
#23. "Taking Nan for Tea" by Tom Barrett
"This is Adam, a tattoo artist from Norwich, and his Nan, Janet. I met them both in the city center after they’d just had tea together at a local department store. I was on my lunch break and happened to cross paths with them. With my camera in hand, I approached, focusing on Adam: tall, handsome, and heavily tattooed. Janet, on the other hand, was small, neat and compared with Adam, conservative looking. A fine pair indeed. They agreed to a street-style portrait, which I later sent to Adam to share with his family. They were thrilled with the photo. I eventually plucked up the courage to ask if I could photograph them again, explaining that I thought they would be perfect subjects for the Portrait of Britain exhibition."
#24. "Emmanuelle and her dog Alix, at the Brighton beach" by Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
"Emmanuelle is a model with a disability, living in Brighton, UK, photographed with her dog Alix, at the beach in Brighton, wearing a design by one of her favorite fashion designers. Emmanuelle works as a model and a fashion figure and influencer, she’s represented by Zebedee Talent Agency, a modeling agency in the UK that represents people with disabilities and visual differences."
#25. "Andrew" by Simon Paul Murphy
"From the project: Kings Park: a portrait of diversity. Working alongside teachers and pupils called "Diversity Ambassadors", we created a project celebrating diversity in an urban Glasgow school."
#26. "Before We Were Proud – Peter and David" by Steve Reeves
"Part of an ongoing series featuring older members of the LGBTQ community. David and Peter have been together for over 30 years. "We may have met in a sleazy leather bar, but we have so much in common. We both love gardening, classical music, and theatre. We’re so compatible.""
#27. "Letter from the NHS" by Vivek Vadoliya
"My mother Sumitra, awaiting results for her illness."
#28. "Henry" by Stuart Edwards
"Henry, 78, is a familiar face at the Barras Market – always dressed sharp."
#29. "Jacob, Between Land & Sea" by Rikii Altamirano
"Jacob Amwa, 23, is completing his final year in marine biology in 2025. With roots in Ghana, Nigeria and England, and having grown up in Switzerland, his background is as diverse as his interests. He is passionate about ocean conservation, especially protecting sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. "I want to work somewhere like Spain or Italy, close to the sea and making a difference," he says. Plymouth stood out to him for its strong academic support and coastal environment. "The lecturers care about what they teach. That made me care too." Music is a big part of his life. He finds comfort in artists like Frank Ocean and Daniel Caesar. "I sing by myself in the shower," he says with a smile."
#30. "Roxy" by Alice Bunny North
"My friend Roxy, photographed at home in Brighton, with reflector assistance from Amelia."
In Summary
What is Portrait of Britain?
- A national photography competition celebrating the diverse people who make up Great Britain through portraiture.
Who organizes Portrait of Britain?
- The project is produced by 1854 Media and announced by the British Journal of Photography.
How many images won this year?
- 100 images were selected as winners from thousands of submissions.
Where will the winning photos be displayed?
- On JCDecaux UK digital screens across the country from January 12 to February 8.
Is there a book featuring the portraits?
- Yes, the 200 shortlisted images appear in Portrait of Britain Vol. 8, published by Bluecoat Press.
English (US) ·