BJP announces the Portrait of Britain Vol.5 Winners

The British Journal of Photography has announced the winners of Portrait of Britain, the UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition, which is run in collaboration with JCDecaux. This award is designed to illustrate the diversity of life in modern Britain.

The 99 winning portraits will be featured in a month-long exhibition in partnership with JCDecaux and in a book showcasing the 200 shortlisted images. They can also be seen throughout January on JCDecaux’s digital screens on highstreets, bus shelters, shopping malls and train stations across the UK.

See some of the winners below:

Miss Past, Present & Future by Aicha Thomas

Southbank Centre

Miss Past, Present & Future Aicha Thomas Portrait of Britain

Miss Past, Present & Future. Photo credit: Aicha Thomas, Portrait of Britain.

“This shoot was very important for me to execute, because Black women are constantly pushed out of societal norms when it comes to beauty standards. Whiteness is also often seen as ordinary, whilst Black beauty and femininity are usually figurative. Therefore, by placing this beautiful model in a beauty pageant setting (which are usually white-led) without her hair altered or tampered with, and hair as her crown, I created my own rules and will strive to continue to truthfully depict/represent Black women and more importantly Black people as a whole, in my art.”

Sharon Baker by Allie Crewe

Somerset, UK

Sharon Baker Allie Crewe Portrait of Britain

Sharon Baker. Photo credit: Allie Crewe, Portrait of Britain.

“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 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.”

Zandra Rhodes, Queen of Fashion, at the Gainsborough Silk Mill by Alun Callender

Sudbury, Suffolk

Zandra Rhodes, Queen of Fashion, at the Gainsborough Silk Mill. Alun Callender Portrait of Britain

Zandra Rhodes, Queen of Fashion, at the Gainsborough Silk Mill. Photo credit: Alun Callender, Portrait of Britain.

“Zandra Rhodes, photographed on her visit to the Silk Mill, where she had collaborated on a recent collection.”

Rebecca Hayes x Victoria Park Vixens FC by James Cannon

Hackney Marshes, London

Rebecca Hayes x Victoria Park Vixens FC James Cannon Portrait of Britain

Rebecca Hayes x Victoria Park Vixens FC. Photo credit: James Cannon, Portrait of Britain.

“The Victoria Park Vixens team epitomise what it is to be part of the Grassroots football scene in London. They’re fun, friendly and passionate about playing football. I got to know the squad between lockdowns and spent afew months following them from late 2020 into early 2021. It was a time when we appreciated just how much Sport plays a vital role in our everyday lives, for our physical health and wellbeing to the socials with friends, having a laugh and connecting. Photographed at first light on a cold crisp morning, Rebecca has an elegant coolness to her. She’s strong, calm yet kick ass!”

Amelia, Fearless MMA, Balsall Heath by Jaskirt Dhaliwal Boora

Balsall Heath, Birmingham

Amelia, Fearless MMA, Balsall Heath Jaskirt Dhaliwal Boora Portrait of Britain

Amelia, Fearless MMA, Balsall Heath. Photo credit: Jaskirt Dhaliwal Boora, Portrait of Britain.

“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.”

Sir David Attenborough, by Michael Leckie

Kew, London

Sir David Attenborough Michael Leckie Portrait of Britain

Sir David Attenborough. Photo credit: Michael Leckie, Portrait of Britain

Ellie-Bea, by Rory Langdon-Down

Northampton, UK

Ellie-Bea Rory Langdon-Down Portrait of Britain

Ellie-Bea. Photo credit: Rory Langdon-Down, Portrait of Britain.

“Ellie-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.”