Emerging Talent Award 2023

© Mieke Douglas

2023 Emerging Talent Award | AOP Project

Celebrating the very best in the new wave of photographers and image makers, who have been practicing their craft for less than 3 years.

Isabelle Doran, CEO The Association of Photographers said; “The AOP’s guiding principle behind our open entry for ‘Emerging Talent’ is to provide an opportunity for a new wave of photographers and image-makers, of any age or background whose work truly shines and resonates, to be discovered above and beyond the crowded marketplace.” 

For this special AOP Project there are no restrictions on what you can enter. We simply want to see your most amazing work. You can enter Stills, Moving Image and Innovation.

This AOP Project opened 14 February 2023 and close on 31 March 2023.

Providing a chance for emerging photographers and image makers  to be seen by leading commissioners and names within the photographic industry.

Judged once again by Mother London – this award can deliver a much needed springboard to help you progress your photographic career. Open to AOP member and non-members alike, we want to showcase up-and-coming talent.

Entry information

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS & FINALISTS

GOLD WINNER: © Bethany Crutchfield

SILVER WINNER: © Dannii-Jo Jones

Emerging Talent Award 2023 Winners & Finalists Gallery

© Mieke Douglas

Prizes:

  • A tailored AOP Associate Membership Package, along with advice on advancing your current professional photography practice.
  • Gold and Silver winners and selected finalists will be exhibited at the AOP Showcase event in September 2023 and will feature in the 38th AOP Awards Book.
  • Fujifilm are offering our Emerging Talent GOLD Winner either an Xperience day, Fujifilm photowalk or workshop, from their Fujifilm School open to entry and established photographers (worth between £69.00-£199.00). [Note: This offer excludes Fujifilm photographic holidays]
  • SquintBox are offering the selected Emerging Talent GOLD Winner a full subscription place on SquintBox – an online resource portal for photographers and directors showcasing their work to commissioning agencies – to present their work in up to two industry categories, plus be included in the New Talent category (worth up to £500).

‘SquintBox is delighted to offer the GOLD winner in the Emerging Talent competition a full subscription place on SquintBox.  The winner will be invited to showcase in up to two categories plus the New Talent category.”

Janet Saville – Founder, curator – SquintBox

Fujifilm School

The Fujifilm School offers fun, educational courses and practical workshops for all photographers. Whether at the start of your photographic journey or a seasoned professional looking to try something new, we offer a wide range of courses and workshops genres that appeal to all levels.

Xperience Days

Take advantage of having a Fujifilm ambassador share their tips and tricks from their years of working within photography, and discover what inspires them, their workflow, and what they have learnt throughout their careers. Get hands-on with Fujifilm equipment and learn which settings and accessories our ambassadors love to use to achieve the perfect shot.

Photowalks & Workshops

Join like-minded enthusiasts for a Photowalk or workshop near you! Take the opportunity to learn more about your Fujifilm camera equipment or try the latest models from the selection of camera gear provided on the day. Our team of professionals will be there to support you along the way!  

Finesse your skills or try your hand at something new in our photographic workshops. Whether portraiture, macro photography or tracking wildlife, we have a wide range of workshops aimed at introducing you to different genres of photography.

Beginner & Intermediate Courses

Beginner and Intermediate Courses are exclusively for FUJIFILM X Series owners, helping you get to know your new camera better, while developing photography skills during our demonstration sessions.

Stills
A single image or series of images (2-5) can be entered.

Moving image
A piece of moving imagery up to 7 minutes in length, content is up to you but must demonstrate your understanding and skills within the medium. All entries in this category must reference whether the work is collaboration with another artist be it a director, editor, colour-grader, musician etc., or whether it’s the independent work of the photographer. You may wish to illustrate the creative use of technologies for example AR, VR, CGI or any other technique. 

Innovation
An example of creative excellence that illustrates the clever use of technologies and innovation in the production of still images. This can be AR, VR, CGI or any other technique.

Entry Fees
(All prices include VAT @20%)

Members 14 February – 31 March 2023
Single – £10.00
Series – £20.00
Moving and Innovation – £10.00

 

Non-Members 14 February – 31 March 2023
Single – £15.00
Series – £30.00
Moving/Innovation – £15.00

Meet our Judges for 2023

Mother was founded in London in 1996 by a group of creative, free-thinking individuals sitting around a kitchen table eating lunch. It’s here that the group decided that they were hungry – not for more sandwiches, but to do things differently. They wanted to break free from the shackles of traditional agencies and be 100% independent. To be free to do the best work possible. Today, Mother is still fiercely independent, but now there are over 500 like-minded people in our family, with offices across London, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Berlin. All with kitchen tables in them. And all with people sitting around them that come to work every day to make the best work they possibly can. Come on in. Everybody who is passionate about great work is always welcome at our table.

Kate Congreve, Producer

Bertie Gulliver, Producer

Kate started her career as a photo agent and producer working with esteemed high profile portrait and fashion photographers. After 10 years she moved over to the Advertising  agency side as an  art buyer working for many top 20 agencies and working across many different brands and high profile campaigns. Finally landing at Mother in 2017,  Kate’s role as senior producer has helped to shape the print and social outputs of the agency to produce award winning creative work while actively championing up and coming artists.

Kate’s creative insights and great eye has enabled her to be at the forefront of advertising  photography and a respected member of the industry both in terms of commissioning and mentoring creative  talents.

A Mother veteran of 9 years – I’ve worked on the great and good of Mother’s clients and campaigns. Having originally specialised in print and art buying, I’ve now expanded into all forms of production as an integrated creative producer.

 Stand out projects include IKEA ‘Beds – Sleep’ (Amy Currell), KFC ‘From AFC-ZFC’ (Alex Telfer), Zalando ‘Goodbye Stereotypes. Hello Zerotypes.’ (Tom Craig), Vauxhall ‘Pyjama Mamas’(RANKIN), Dubai Tourism ‘Dubai Presents’ (Craig Gillespie) and Adidas ‘Sportswear’(Alex de Mora).

Previous Winners and Finalists

2021 - 2022 Winners

GOLD Winner, Sue Oakford Series: My Still Lifr
© Sue Oakford, GOLD Winner
SILVER Winner, © Jolane Schaffner. Aine / Homebird
© Jolane Schaffner, SILVER Winner
Highly Commended, Andy J Mather
© Andy J Mather, HIGHLY COMMENDED

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