From Thai boxers to fantastical queer creatures, these photographs act as vignettes of modern Britain in all its diverse glory

 

  • Stevie, Hastings by Andreas Bleckmann

    Portrait of Britain is an award-winning nationwide photography exhibition, run by the British Journal of Photography, in partnership with JCDecaux. The exhibition celebrates the rich tapestry of the people that make up Great Britain, turning their stories into public art. The 99 winning portraits will be exhibited in a month-long exhibition on digital billboards and screens, alongside a book featuring the 200 shortlisted images, published by Hoxton Mini Press

    Stevie, Hastings, by Andreas Bleckmann

  • Stella Creasy,

    Houses of Parliament by Rachel Louise Brown‘I was commissioned by Harper’s Bazaar UK to photograph Stella Creasy for their Strength & Spirit portfolio – a feature about women who are contributing meaningfully to society with strength and determination. It was important to me – given Stella’s incredible work trying to level up parental rights in parliament – to photograph her within the institution, with her son Pip’

    Stella Creasy, Houses of Parliament By Rachel Louise BrownStella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow and her son Pip for Harper’s Bazaar July 2022 I was commissioned by Harper’s Bazaar UK to photograph Stella Creasy for their Strength & Spirit portfolio - a feature about women who are contributing meaningfully to society with strength and determination. It was most important to me - given Stella’s incredible work trying to level up parental rights in Parliament - to photograph her within the institution, with her son Pip

  • Lara, Crystal Palace, London by Raphaël Neal

    ‘This image of Lara is from my series New Waves, a collection of portraits of teenagers and landscapes inspired by global warming issues. Heat waves, wild fires and floods are evoked in a cinematic way, inspired by both sci-fi movies and actual news reports’

    Lara, New Waves series, Crystal Palace by Raphaël NealTeenager Lara, from my series “New Waves”, a collection of portraits of teenagers and landscapes inspired by global warming issues. Heat waves, wild fires and floods are evoked in a cinematic way, inspired by both sci-fi movies and actual news reports. “Beauty and danger were the two words I kept in mind while producing the series. It had to look both engaging and uncomfortable, staged and wild at the same time, like an echo to the confusion one experiences with the dangerously nice and warm weather. The presence of teenagers implies the growing threats that the future generations will have to deal with because of climate change and its inevitable consequences on their physical and mental health.

  • Ellie-Bea, Northampton, by Rory Langdon-Down

    ‘Ellie-Bea is part of Born to Perform, a dance school in Northampton for people with additional needs. Ellie-Bea has Down’s syndrome, a condition first defined by my great, great-grandfather Dr John Langdon-Down in the 19th century. Dr Langdon-Down set up a hospital in west London for people with Down’s with an emphasis on performing arts as part of integration, inclusion and representation – the same values that continue to thrive at Born tTo Perform with Ellie-Bea and her classmates’

    Ellie-Bea by Rory Langdon DownEllie-Bea is part of Born To Perform, a dance school in Northampton for people with additional needs. Ellie-Bea has Down Syndrome, a condition first defined by my great, great grandfather Dr John Langdon-Down in the 19th century. Dr Langdon Down set up a hospital in West London for people with Down’s with an emphasis on performing arts as part of integration, inclusion and representation - the same values that continue to thrive at Born To Perform with Ellie-Bea and her classmates.

  • Ameila,

    Balsall Heath, Birmingham, by Jaskirt Dhaliwal-BooraAmeila says: ‘I do Thai boxing, and I won the Midlands championship. My family come watch when I go into clubs or if I fight. I like to do Thai boxing because it helps me when I get bullied, I can defend myself’

    Ameila, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, By Jaskirt Dhaliwal-BooraAmeila says: ‘I do Thai boxing, and I won the Midlands championship. My family come watch when I go into clubs or if I fight. I like to do Thai boxing because it helps me when I get bullied, I can defend myself.’

  • Paduey and

    Biliew, Stirling, Scotland, by Jonathan Daniel PrycePaduey and Biliew are brothers, cooling off in the local river during a heatwave in Stirling

    Paduey and Biliew, Scotland Jonathan Daniel PrycePaduey and Biliew are brothers, cooling off in the local river during a heatwave in Scotland

  • There Goes the Neighbourhood, London, by Lois Cohen and Indiana Roma Voss

    An ode to youth culture in London council estates in the 90s. Bringing back memories of skipping school to hang around the neighbourhood with your new love, in a perfect state of boredom, and being able to show off your new duds, freeing yourself from the school uniform

    There Goes The Neighbourhood by Lois Cohen & Indiana Roma Voss PhotographyAn ode to youth culture in London council estates in the 90’s. Bringing back memories of skipping school to hang around the neighbourhood with your new love, in a perfect state of boredom, and being able to show off your new duds, freeing yourself from the school uniform.

  • Alan Cumming, Edinburgh, by Frederic Aranda

    Actor Alan Cumming in his dressing room at Edinburgh’s King’s theatre, seconds after coming off stage in his performance as the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns. Taken during the Edinburgh festival, August 2022

    Alan Cumming, Edinburgh by Frederic Aranda

  • Acolyte holding the golden cross, Walsingham, by Sandra Mickiewicz

    ‘In May I went to Norfolk to document the National Pilgrimage to Walsingham held every year. The boy holding the golden cross caught my eyes and I kindly asked him for his portrait before he went off on the route with the crowd’

    Acolyte holding the golden cross, Walsingham by Sandra MickiewiczIn May I went to Norfolk to document the National Pilgrimage in Walsingham held every year. However, due to pandemic the event was cancelled. Everyone gathered from the UK and around the world to celebrate one of the biggest Anglican event. The boy holding the golden cross caught my eyes and I kindly asked him for his portrait before he went off on the route with the crowed.

  • Amor Ludo (Love Deluxe Erotica), Plymouth, by Logan Davies

    ‘This image is part of a project named Queer Ethology, a series of pictures which transforms my queer friends into fantastical creatures. As queer people we are exiled from society and transform ourselves into creatures unbound from expectations of what it means to be a man or woman – escaping from captivity to become free and liberated’

    Amor Ludo (Love Deluxe Erotica), Plymouth by Logan Davies‘This image is part of a project named Queer Ethology, a series of pictures which transforms my queer friends into fantastical creatures. As queer people we are exiled from society and transform ourselves into creatures unbound from expectations of what it means to be a man or woman – escaping from captivity to become free and liberated’

  • The Observer, Stamford Hill, London, by Christoffer Åhlén

    ‘I have lived in Stoke Newington for the past five years, just next to the Haredi Jewish area Stamford Hill. I’ve long been curious to know more about these men and women. I wanted to take their portrait and have them tell their story – I never did as I thought that would violate their privacy. A couple of months ago was a bit of a turning point; it was Purim, which gave me the chance to finally take out my camera and document some of the festivities. They didn’t mind at all – only happiness was present’

    The Observer by Christoffer ÅhlénIhave lived in Stoke Newington for the past 5 years, just next to the Orthodox Jewish area Stamford Hill. I run a lot in this neighbourhood and every time I’ve been so curious to know more about these men and women. I wanted to take their portrait and have them tell their story - I never did as I thought that would violate their privacy. A couple of months ago was a bit of a turning point; it was Purim, but gave me the chance to finally take out my camera and document some of the festivities. And the best part? They didn’t mind at all, only happiness was present.

  • Tommy Jessop, Hampshire, by Peter Flude

    Portrait shot for the Guardian, of actor and campaigner Tommy Jessop at the Theatre Royal Winchester. He spoke at the House of Commons in support of the Down Syndrome bill, which aimed to recognise people with Down’s Syndrome as a specific minority group and better meet their needs. The bill was passed and became law in April 2022

    Tommy Jessop, Hampshire, by Peter Flude Actor Tommy Jessop at the Theatre Royal Winchester. Winchester, Hampshire, UK. 26th November 2021.

  • Coffee Mornings, Lancashire, by Angela Christofilou

    ‘My grandma and her two friends take a coffee break during a game of church bingo in Heywood, Lancashire’

    Coffee Mornings, Lancashire by Angela ChristofilouMy Grandma and her two friends take a coffee break during a game of Church Bingo in Heywood, Lancashire.

  • Gruff Rhys, Sheffield, by Karina Lax

    ‘Musician Gruff Rhys captured in the snooker room, before a gig at the Crookes Social Club, Sheffield. This image is part of an ongoing project called In the Club, documenting the people that pass through the 102-year-old venue’s doors. The club has played a central role in my parents’ lives, with them both being on the committee there, and my dad having been the bingo caller and concert secretary (MC, band booker, etc) for a number of years. We have been members of the club since 1990, with my mum writing a sociology thesis on it in the 1970s’

    Gruff Rhys In The Snooker Room By Karina Lax

  • Sharon Baker, Somerset, by Allie Crewe

    ‘Sharon is one of the few senior police officers in the country to be a woman. After Cressida Dick left the Met, Sharon has stood for change in the force, particularly when tackling corruption and domestic violence. We shot this at her home. I asked her where she rested and recharged and she said this was her favourite space. We have been working together for a while and I have such high regard for her’

    Sharon Baker by Allie CreweSharon is one of the few senior police officers in the country to be a woman. After Cressida Dick left the Met, Sharon has stood for change in the force, particularly when tackling corruption and domestic violence. We shot this at her home. I asked her where she rested and re -charged and she said this was her favourite space. We have been working together for a while and I have such high regard for her.

  • Coco & Lara, Cardiff, by Curtis Hughes

    Coco: ‘Being nonbinary in the dating world is tough. I’ve faced discrimination and had a lot of people misunderstand me. But when I met Lara I felt something very real and what a magical journey it’s been. We’ve been together for five years and this year we finally get to say “I do” now the pandemic is out the way. We met online in the most random way, never expecting anything, never searching. And yet, it was love at first sight and everything since then is history’

    Coco & Lara, Cardiff by Curtis Hughes“Being nonbinary in the dating world is tough. I’ve faced discrimination and had a lot of people misunderstand me. But when I met Lara I felt something very real and what a magical journey it’s been. We’ve been together 5 years and this year we finally get to say “I do” now the pandemic is out the way. We met online in the most random way, never expecting anything and wasn’t searching, and yet, it was love at first sight and everything since then is history” - Coco

  • I’m a North London Cowboy, Norfolk, by Max Kessell

    ‘Earlier this year my friend took a trip to Norfolk to work on a separate project based around vintage American workwear and its relevance in fashion today. While there, north Londoner Sully explained to me his childhood experiences with horses and his connection to them when he rode them as a kid. A bond was immediately evident between Sully and this horse and as the day went on they became incredibly comfortable around each other – just enough for me to take this shot’

    I’m a north London cowboy, Norfolk by Max Kessell‘Earlier this year my friend took a trip to Norfolk to work on a separate project based around vintage American workwear and its relevancy in fashion today. While there, north Londoner Sully explained to me his childhood experiences with horses and his connection to them when he rode them as a kid. A bond was immediately evident between Sully and this horse and as the day went on they became incredibly comfortable around each other - just enough for me to take this shot’