From images that shine a light on the political and social pressures of our time to those that illustrate intimate personal stories, we present 200 shortlisted portraits
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Portrait of Britain
Portrait of Britain is a celebration of identity; an opportunity to rejoice in the diversity of a changing nation.
Why enter
Get exhibited nationwide
The UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition, established as an exhibition by the people, for the people, will see 100 winning images will be exhibited up and down the country in a month-long digital screen display in partnership with JCDecaux .
Get published in a photobook
200 shortlisted portraits will be published in the dedicated Portrait of Britain photo book in collaboration with Hoxton Mini Press.
Get judged by industry leaders
Judges from past years include Parveen Narowalia, Digital Picture Editor at British Vogue; Sunil Gupta, the pioneering photographer, curator and activist, and Olivia Arthur, Magnum photographer
Get featured in international press
Alongside coverage on 1854.photography, Portrait of Britain award winners have been featured by BBC, Guardian, Independent, Sky News, Aesthetica, It’s Nice That and many more
Martin Usborne
Founder of Hoxton Mini Press
Misan Harriman
Chair of the Southbank Centre, London
Sabina Jaskot-Gill
Curator of Photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, London
Renee Mussai
Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial & Collection at Autograph, London
Siân Addicott
Director of Ffotogallery
In partnership with:
Portrait of Britain book printed in collaboration with:
Hear from our past winners
‘It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to have an image of mine recognised in such a high profile award.’
Clair Robins, Portrait of Britain 2021 Winner
“Since Portrait of Britain, I’ve done work for Wonderland Magazine, Audi… I’ve been commissioned to do a shoot for Google, and I recently signed to the new photography department at Academy Films. Portrait of Britain helped me stand out”
William Marsden, Portrait of Britain 2018 Shortlist
“Being published in the Portrait of Britain book gives a certain authority to my work when I present it to galleries, which has led to all kinds of opportunities. At the moment I’m involved in two projects, already gaining global exposure, including a feature on the Italian Vanity Fair website”
Hasan Murat Ozkasim, Portrait of Britain 2018 Shortlist
“My portrait got amazing press coverage. It was featured by the BBC, Guardian and Lense.fr, and was published in British Journal of Photography, in the Portrait of Britain book and on JCDecaux screens around the UK. This helped me to meet people across the photography community and to reach out to new clients. Most of all, it gave me the confidence to continue with my work”
Eliska Kyselkova, Portrait of Britain 2018 Winner
“…It was massive, the competition has always been a source of inspiration for my portraiture so to get 3 winning images selected was just amazing.”
Craig Fleming, Portrait of Britain 2021 Winner
© Nirish Shakya
© Ellie Ramsden
© Ryan Thomas
© Kristina Varaksina
© Bill Knight
© Rory Langdon-Down
© Michael Leckie
© James Cannon
© Cheryl Newman
© Raphael Neal
From a couple of hound racers to a north London cowboy and a Scottish football fan, the 100 winning images from Portrait of Britain Vol.5 provide a compelling snapshot of a frenzied year
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Portrait of Britain winner Charlie Clift on the privilege of photographing someone moments after a life-defining event. His subject? Michaela Coel
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Above: Image © Hannah Norton, Portrait of Britain 2021 Winner. For photographer Hannah Norton, the… Read More →
Portrait of Britain returns this year for the fourth time, as photographers all over the country picture the faces of our nation.
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The UK’s biggest annual photography exhibition is back, capturing the many faces of our nation… Read More →
To coincide with Portrait of Britain 2021, photographer and curator Liz Hingley discusses Side Gallery’s latest exhibition: Youth Rising in the UK, 1981-2021
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With Portrait of Britain 2021 open for entries, a selection of this year’s judging panel consider why Portrait of Britain is important today — and crucially, how artists can stand out from the crowd
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“There are certain things that unify us, culturally. Football is one of them”
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To coincide with Portrait of Britain 2021, Vadoliya – who was shortlisted for the award last year – discusses Brotherhood: a project musing on the many ways to be a south Asian man in contemporary Britain
Read More →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the subject(s) or the photographer have to from the U.K?
No – we accept images from international photographers and subjects, the image itself must have been shot within the UK (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) from 1st January 2021
Do I have to have a model release form?
In order to be one of the 100 winning images shown on JCDecaux screens you must have obtained written authorisation from the subject, or the parent/guardian’s permission if the image is of a minor. You need only have obtained verbal permission to be included in the Portrait of Britain book.
I’m not an 1854 Access Member, how do I enter?
Whilst all 1854 Access members can enter Portrait of Britain 2022 for free, you can also purchase an entry for three images or up to ten images here. This year, we are also offering everyone one free image entry. Find out more about why there is a fee to enter our awards here
I have lost the email with my entry link
If you have lost your entry, use the reset form here, to send a reminder to your email address.
Can I pay by PayPal / Cheque / Cash?
We can only accept Memberships paid for with a credit or debit card online
Can I enter more than once?
Yes, you may enter as many times as you choose. 1854 Access Members are entitled to submit 10 free images, and have the option to purchase additional 10 image entries following that.
I have a promotional code, how can I use it?
Please first choose the type of entry you wish to make (eg, one series entry). On the next page you will be able to enter your promotional code, and after submitting that form you will see your discount applied.
I have a promotional code, but it doesn’t work?
Please note that most codes are time-limited. If the deadline for using your code has passed, it will not be usable.
Why is there a fee?
To find out more about why there is a fee to enter our awards visit our 1854 Awards: Why is there a fee? page
I bought too many entries / ran out of time, can I get a refund?
Sorry, but all entry fees are non-refundable, as stated in the terms and conditions that you accepted on entry.
Have my images uploaded correctly?
If your images have uploaded correctly you will see a small version of each photo on the entry page, alongside the caption you entered. If you cannot see your photo, then your image has not uploaded correctly. If a caption has been stored but no image, you can delete it using the Edit option.
There isn’t enough room for my image title, or other text
Please note that maximum lengths that apply to these texts. The length limits are noted on the form used to enter them and are given in characters (letters), not words.
My image was created as part of a collaboration, how do I ensure that all collaborators are credited?
In the description of your image(s), please clearly state that the image was created in collaboration with another artist, and give their name and email address.
I can’t see the option to submit my entry
The Submit button appears at the top of your entry page once you have uploaded at least one image.
What happens when I submit my entry?
Your entry will be confirmed on a web page after submitting, and then we will send you a confirmation email, and your images (along with their captions, statements etc) are stored, ready to be viewed by the judges.
I have submitted my entry – can I change it?
No, once your entry has been submitted you may no longer alter it in any way.
Could you please check my images / text / entry?
I’m afraid this isn’t possible – our system receives thousands of images, so we can’t check individual ones. Please ensure that you are happy with your images and statement before submitting it.
Portraits must have been taken after 1st January 2021, and depict subjects in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland) at the time of the photograph
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Portraits may be of individuals or groups of people
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All relevant subject consent must have been obtained for the use of the photographs in the outdoor exhibition. In the case of minors (persons under 18) parental / guardian written consent must be obtained.
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All photographers should adhere to the 1854 Awards Standard of Practice
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Professional and non-professional photographers of all ages are eligible to enter
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Both UK based and international photographers are welcome to enter
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Portraits can be shot using any camera model (film or digital), and images may be portrait, landscape or square in format. Portraits can also be shot on any camera phone.
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Images that are deemed to breach the CAP code or ASA statement on sexual imagery may not be appropriate for the outdoor advertising screen display, in particular images which feature (or reference) swear words, nudity, partial nudity/sexualised imagery, as the images will be shown widely and will be seen by children. However, images to be published in the Portrait of Britain book will not be subject to these constraints.
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Each entrant will be deemed to warrant they own the entire copyright for the work or that they have permission from the licensee and/or copyright owner/s for the uses and that they agree to the use of the work as outlined in the terms & conditions and as outlined during the calls to entry.
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Each image can be a maximum of 10MB in size. All images must be submitted as JPEG files – any files submitted in any other format (including TIFF, PDF, PSD etc) will be discarded.
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You may submit a short statement for each photograph entered. Statements must be under 250 characters in length, and written in English.
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The deadline for entries is 20 September 2022 – 23:59 (UK Time).
Entrants have an additional 24 hours following this deadline to finalise and submit their entry.
Judging will take place shortly after the deadline.
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Once your images and statement have been uploaded to the system you will see an option to submit your entry. Once submitted your entry cannot be altered. Only submitted entries will be viewed by the judges.
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The winning and shortlisted photographers must be available to supply high-res files promptly for publication (Adobe 98 RGB, 300dpi, tiff, 8 bit, full resolution and minimum 3000px on the longest side).
Digital files of the winning images will be created for press and publicity purposes.
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BJP and JCDecaux cannot be responsible for any loss or damage to submitted work.
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No copyright is transferred to the BJP or JCDecaux in respect of any works entered or accepted.
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BJP and JCDecaux reserve the right to display, reproduce and publish in any media, any entry, without payment, for the sole purpose of Portrait of Britain – this year and in future – and its promotion and publicity.
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The exhibition will run on JCDecaux digital screens across the United Kingdom.
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Some images will be published in BJP and JCDecaux’s print and digital channels and in the Portrait of Britain book.
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You will be asked to pay for your entry by Credit Card. All payments are handled securely by our payment partner Stripe. After payment, you will receive an email containing a personal upload URL where you may submit your images and statement.
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All entry purchases are final. Having purchased an entry, it is your responsibility to upload and submit your images and statement before the deadline. No refunds will be issued.
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If through to the shortlist of Portrait of Britain, we may make small editorial changes to text.
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In order to receive your award status, you must be subscribed to the Awards Communications list on our mailing system. If you have not received your status after the deadline, you must simply resubscribe by filling out a form to our newsletter list.
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Please note that 1854 Access members entering awards as part of their membership (as opposed to a paid entry) will be required to remain a member throughout the periods when awards are judged and exhibitions/outputs are planned, for their entries to be eligible.
