The winners of Portrait of Britain Vol. 6

British Journal of Photography and JCDecaux UK are delighted to announce the winners of Portrait of Britain Vol. 6, a captivating journey through the diverse faces and stories that define modern Britain. For the next month, JCDecaux UK digital screens will become a nationwide portrait gallery by displaying winning images by some of the nation’s best portrait photographers, reaching millions of people.

Tasmina Haq, standing with a sabre in hand as part of Muslim Girls Fence in Birmingham [by Garry Jones]. Safy perched on a bridge over the Cam at the University of Cambridge [Lesley Lau]. And Debbie embracing the sun on the Isle of Skye before her fifth round of chemotherapy [Isabelle Law] – these are just a few of the compelling subjects in this year’s collection.

Margaret Tyler is a royal collector who has dedicated her life to the Royal Family. I photographed Margaret a few months before the Queen’s passing. From Ollie Adegboye’s portrait of Marcus from his series on Black fathers to Mathushaa Sagthidas’ image of Shani, one of the UK’s most influential disability activists, and Keiran Perry’s candid portrait of Luna and Paula in the Scottish Highlands, each photograph tells a unique story – unveiling the richness of Britain’s traditions and communities.

The 200 shortlisted images are also featured in the Portrait of Britain Vol. 6 photobook, published by Bluecoat Press and sponsored by JCDecaux UK. In cities across the UK including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and London, the 100 winning photographs will light up high streets, shopping malls, train stations, roadside billboards, London bus shelters and Heathrow airport as part of the largest digital photographic exhibition in the country.

Special thanks to this year’s panel of judges: Mick Moore, Tracy Marshall-Grant, Bindi Vora, Sebah Chaudhry, Russ O’Connell, Tim Clark, Anne McNeill, Nadav Kander and Ronan Mckenzie

In July 2022, my wife, after dealing with mild alopecia for most of her adulthood, discovered that her hair was falling out in clumps. This was by far the most difficult period we have ever had in our marriage and over the last year my wife has come to terms with her situation and, in my view, become so much more powerful. On a sunny day at home in summer 2023, I wandered into the garden and saw her in this serene position, her fair skin perfectly contrasting with the dark background of the garden in the midday sun. To me, it exudes a peace, which has taken some time to achieve..

About Portrait of Britain

Portrait of Britain is an award-winning photography exhibition run by British Journal of Photography in partnership with JCDecaux UK. The award celebrates the rich tapestry of people that make up the UK by turning their stories into public art. Inaugurated in 2016, Portrait of Britain is groundbreaking in its scale and mission. Envisioned as an exhibition for the people, by the people, it is the nation’s biggest photography showcase and is seen by millions of people each year.

This image is part of my long-term project A Brighter Sun, documenting the remnants of the Caribbean exodus in east London while exploring and examining my own sense of belonging and estrangement in this city and country I have migrated to. I encountered Abraham while walking in Hackney Marshes. He was with a friend and his durag and big earring drew my attention. He spoke to me about his parents and, as I set up my camera, he looked up as a plane flew by. I noticed the big glimmer in his expressive eyes as dusk was setting in. In a second, I thought about how hopeful that image looked. It symbolised, at least in my head, the hopes and dreams of many generations that came after the Windrush ship docked in.

About 1854 Media & British Journal of Photography

British Journal of Photography, the world’s longest running photography title, has been showcasing pioneers of the art form since 1854. Through the lenses of world-class photographers, BJP explores rich and timely stories of art, culture, politics and society. BJP has also created a programme of internationally renowned photography awards including Female in Focus, OpenWalls, Portrait of Britain, BJP International Photography Award and Portrait of Humanity – all of which celebrate emerging and established talent.

Mary, God rest her soul