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Portrait of Britain Vol. 8 Winners
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The British Journal of Photography has announced the winners of Portrait of Britain Vol. 8. The contest, which began in 2016, aims to celebrate the diverse mosaic of individuals who make up Great Britain by showcasing portraiture from across the country. This year's edition features 100 winning images, selected from a shortlist of 200 and thousands of overall submissions.
The selected portraits spotlight individuals who were born and raised in the UK, those who have moved there, and those simply passing through, telling the stories of veterans, scientists, fishmongers, ballerinas, farmers, and more. The British Journal of Photography explains that the collection serves as "a reminder that the most compelling stories of Britain do not emerge from geography or ideology but from the extraordinary variety of people who inhabit it."
In addition to the online showcase, Portrait of Britain is committed to bringing photography into public spaces. To that end, the 100 winning images will be displayed on JCDecaux UK’s digital screens across the country from January 12 through February 8. The 200 shortlisted images will also be featured in the Portrait of Britain Vol. 8 photobook, published by Bluecoat Press and sponsored by WePresent, WeTransfer’s arts platform. The book is available for pre-order now.
You can see all the winning and shortlisted images and learn more about the contest on the Portrait of Britain website.
Image credit from left to right: Portrait of Britain vol. 8© Neil Bedford, Emma Stoner, Joanne Coates, Edward Jones, Jaiyana Chelikha, Craig Fleming, Lesley Lau, David Severn and Vladimir Studenic
No More War.
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Photographer: Mark Cocksedge
Image title: No More War.
Location: St Leonards
Caption: 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."
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Mark Cocksedge
Chris
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Photographer: Ben Bradish-Ellames
Image title: Chris
Location: London
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Ben Bradish-Ellames
Misty Margate
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Photographer: Ben Hickling
Image title: Misty Margate
Location: Margate, Thanet
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Ben Hickling
Sibling Love
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Photographer: Capri McPherson-Noel
Image title: Sibling Love
Location: Camber Sands, Rye.
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Capri McPherson-Noel
Fatima
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Photographer: Craig Fleming
Image title: Fatima
Location: Fenham, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Caption: Fatima Niemogha, who is Deaf, is an independent artist and producer based in London.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Craig Fleming
Kae Tempest
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Photographer: Darren Skene
Image title: Kae Tempest
Location: Victoria Warehouse - Manchester
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Darren Skene
Dr. Marco Schioppo (back) and Adam Parke (front) monitoring the ultrastable laser at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, London
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Photographer: David Severn
Image title: Dr. Marco Schioppo (back) and Adam Parke (front) monitoring the ultrastable laser at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, London
Location: Teddington, London
Caption: 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.
The laboratory participates in European collaborations to verify the international consistency of the new optical atomic clocks, and it is expected that this work will lead to a redefinition of the SI unit of time, the second. Such unprecedented measurement precision would unlock new timing applications, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation, and new tests of physics beyond the Standard Model.
This portrait shows Marco Schioppo (back) and Adam Parke (front) monitoring one of the
ultrastable lasers developed by them at NPL. These systems generate the most stable
frequency of light in the UK, which contributes to enabling state-of-the-art measurement
precision of the optical atomic clocks at NPL.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © David Severn
Effat, 89, Iran
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Photographer: David Tett
Image title: Effat, 89, Iran
Location: Edgware, London
Caption: "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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © David Tett
Sancha Laxmi Chamling Rai
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Photographer: Deljeem Rai
Image title: Sancha Laxmi Chamling Rai
Location: Farnborough, UK
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Deljeem Rai
Bollyvvitch
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Photographer: Edward Jones
Image title: Bollyvvitch
Location: Manchester
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Edward Jones
Elvira
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Photographer: Jack Lawson
Image title: Elvira
Location: Clapham, London
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Jack Lawson
Jounaid, Go Back To Where?
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Photographer: Jaiyana Chelikha
Image title: Jounaid, Go Back To Where?
Location: Dartmoor National Park
Caption: 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.
The title challenges the all-too-common demand for immigrants and their descendants to "go back", a phrase that disregards their lived reality. But where is "back" when you are from multiple places at once? This portrait invites the viewer to reconsider what it truly means to belong.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Jaiyana Chelikha
Judy in her secret garden
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Photographer: James Rogers
Image title: Judy in her secret garden
Location: Aberdare, Wales
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © James Rogers
The Foresters, Tim and the lads
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Photographer: Joanne Coates
Image title: The Foresters, Tim and the lads
Location: Yorkshire Dales, UK
Caption: 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.
Once widespread across Britain, friendly societies offered mutual aid, solidarity, and
community in times before the welfare state. Though their numbers have dwindled, echoes remain, gathered in villages like Carlton, where custom and care still bind neighbors together. The young boy in the center, horn slung across his body, represents the future of this tradition. His father and brother beside him, steady and proud, hold ceremonial staffs signifying protection, unity, and leadership. Their presence is more than costume; it is continuity. This is a testament to the resilience of rural identity and the deep social roots that run through these hills. In a country often rushing forward, the Foresters remind us of what endures when communities come together. Not in competition, but in care.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Joanne Coates
Almost Synchro
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Photographer: Jonathan Cherry
Image title: Almost Synchro
Location: Portishead Lido
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Jonathan Cherry
Beth After The Race
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Photographer: Jude Bytheway
Image title: Beth After The Race
Location: Melton Mowbray, England
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Jude Bytheway
Lisa, Brooks Factory
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Photographer: Lloyd Wright
Image title: Lisa, Brooks Factory
Location: Birmingham, UK.
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Lloyd Wright
Bobby & Courtney
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Photographer: Meg Jordan
Image title: Bobby & Courtney
Location: London
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Meg Jordan
Is There Instagram on Mars
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Photographer: Neil Bedford
Image title: Is There Instagram on Mars
Location: North Yorkshire Moors
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Neil Bedford
Maurice
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Photographer: Niamh Shergold
Image title: Maurice
Location: Devon
Caption: 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.
Through this ongoing work in progress personal project, I’ve decided to challenge the original concept and rather ‘water my own grass’ by paying attention to where I am and focusing on finding inspiration in the place I’ve spent most of my life so far, a place so ordinary to me. Meeting interesting individuals who have given me a fresh perspective - one which is more positive. I am beginning to find that inner peace and contentment I’ve been seeking elsewhere for so many years.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my project so far and has helped shift my
mindset into a much more hopeful and enlightened one. I hope this project can be a reminder to others that ‘the grass is greener where you water it’.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Niamh Shergold
Princess Julia in Red
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Photographer: Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Image title: Princess Julia in Red
Location: Fellows Court, Hoxton, East London
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Rebecca Zephyr Thomas
Faith – Islam
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Photographer: Ritchie Elder
Image title: Faith – Islam
Location: Water of Leith, Edinburgh
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Ritchie Elder
Taking Nan for Tea
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Photographer: Tom Barrett
Image title: Taking Nan for Tea
Location: Norwich
Caption: 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.
They kindly agreed, and months later, we met at Nan's house. We drank tea, ate biscuits,
and spent time getting to know one another while making some simple photos. I asked Adam to show his Nan some of his other tattoos, and we all agreed that they added something special to the portraits. Adam's Nan, clearly fond of the tattoos, remarked, "I'd have a tattoo if I wasn't so old." Their closeness and ease with each other was a true cure to the modern anxieties we all face, offering a beautiful example of the family bond.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Tom Barrett
Emmanuelle and her dog Alix, at the Brighton beach
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Photographer: Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
Image title: Emmanuelle and her dog Alix, at the Brighton beach
Location: Brighton, United Kingdom
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom
Andrew
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Photographer: Simon Paul Murphy
Image title: Andrew
Location: Kings Park Secondary School, Glasgow, Scotland
Caption: 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.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Simon Paul Murphy
Before We Were Proud – Peter and David
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Photographer: Steve Reeves
Image title: Before We Were Proud – Peter and David
Location: London
Caption: 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."
"Neither of us was looking for love. The relationship just developed beautifully. And we’re very happy together."
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Steve Reeves
Letter from the NHS
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Photographer: Vivek Vadoliya
Image title: Letter from the NHS
Location: Stevenage
Caption: My mother Sumitra, awaiting results for her illness.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Vivek Vadoliya
Henry
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Photographer: Stuart Edwards
Image title: Letter from the NHS
Location: Barras Market, Glasgow
Caption: Henry, 78, is a familiar face at the Barras Market – always dressed sharp.
"How you doing, Henry, you good?"
"Better than good — I’m lucky."
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Stuart Edwards
Jacob, Between Land & Sea
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Photographer: Rikii Altamirano
Image title: Jacob, Between Land & Sea
Location: Plymouth, England, UK
Caption: 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.
Through photography, I seek to explore identity not only as a personal experience but as
something rooted in place, heritage and belonging. A project like this is a form of cultural
preservation. In capturing people like Jacob in their present moment, we create a human
archive that reflects the richness and diversity of our time. In the future, when we look back at the people who lived in the early twenty-first century, I hope this portrait serve as a
reminder of the beauty of difference, the complexity of identity and the shared humanity that connects us all.
Copyright: Portrait of Britain vol. 8 © Rikii Altamirano
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