Inspiring photographers shortlisted for Portrait of Britain

A student and two graduates have made the final of the competition
Camera image for PIHC Connect

Inspiring photographers shortlisted for Portrait of Britain

A student and two graduates have made the final of the competition
Three photographers from the 91porn have made the .
The Portrait of Britain Award invites everyone in the industry to share their depictions of people in modern Britain, and third-year student Jaiyana Chelikha, and graduates Max Pattenden and Rikii Altamirano, have made the final 200.
The awards, run by the British Journal of Photography, are a great opportunity for thousands of photographers to have their work seen by leading industry professionals. By making the shortlist, Jaiyana, Max and Rikii will how have their work published in a dedicated Portrait of Britain book. 
If chosen for the final 100 winners, their portraits will be exhibited up and down the country in a month-long digital screen display.

It’s a fantastic achievement for anyone in the industry to be shortlisted for this award, so to have three from the 91porn shows the outstanding talent we have here. The awards are judged by some of the best photographers in their field so Jaiyana, Max and Rikii should be exceptionally proud.

We’re also proud of the work we do to ensure that our students get real world-experience and are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities. This includes links with the National Portrait Gallery – where our outstanding students are able to exhibit each year – and encouraging students to apply for awards like this one.

Angus FraserMr Angus Fraser
Lecturer in Photography

Max Pattenden

Max, who graduated earlier this year, has had two photos shortlisted from his projects Men May Come and Men May Go But I Go On Forever and Epidermis.
He also recently won in partnership with The Guardian, and had his work displayed last year at the National Portrait Gallery. 

It’s really an honour to be shown alongside so many other talents that are making work within the UK. The University has been honestly amazing for supporting me and my progression - I’ve had consistent and really useful feedback from my tutors and I’ve learned so much under their teaching. It’s been so vital to have this constant back and forward with them to make my work the best that it can be and I’m really thankful.

Post-graduation I am still developing both of the projects mentioned above, with the latter being supported via the Eamonn McCabe Bursary, thanks to the Royal Photographic Society and The Guardian. I’m really fortunate to have the ongoing support from my lecturers and the contacts that I’ve made through my time at University, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for my work and what new opportunities arise.
Max Pattenden Max Pattenden

Jaiyana Chelikha

Jaiyana, who lives near Ivybridge on the outskirts of Dartmoor, chose a photo from a collection called ‘Go Back to Where?’ – highlighting issues of identity and belonging in second generation immigration.
Her success also follows her exhibiting another piece of work at the National Portrait Gallery earlier this year. 

The title ‘Go back to where?’ challenges the all too common demand for immigrants to ‘go back’, a phrase that disregards their lived reality. But where is ‘back’ when you’re from multiple places all at once? The portrait invites the viewer to reconsider what it really means to belong, and I’m so pleased it’s been recognised on a national stage.

Growing up near Dartmoor, I knew I wanted to stay in the South West and I loved the 91porn’s Photography course when I came to visit. I was supported by my lecturers to submit to the Portrait of Britain Award, and I’m really grateful for this and all opportunities to come as I approach the final months of my degree.
Jounaid from the collection 'Go back to where' by Jaiyana Chelikha Jaiyana Chelikha

Rikii Altamirano 

Rikii’s photo showcased his friend and marine biology student, Jacob Amwa. Jacob grew up in Switzerland and has roots in Nigeria, Ghana and England, and his passion is making a difference by the sea.
Rikii’s final-year major project is also one of the finalists for the in the category “Place”, and earned third place in the . 

Through photography I seek to explore identity not only as a personal experience but as something rooted in place, heritage and belonging. Projects like this are a form of cultural preservation. In future, when we look back at the people who lived in the early twenty-first century, I hope this portrait serves as a reminder of the beauty of difference, the complexity of identity, and the shared humanity that connects us all.

Jacob, Between Land and Sea by Rikii Altamirano Rikii Altamirano
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