A striking image of a puffin on Skomer Island in west Wales has been hailed the winner of this year’s prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Awards. The photo was taken by 15-year-old Anwen Whitehead from Cnwch Coch in Aberystwyth.
Despite only taking up photography as a serious hobby last year, Anwen took home the award at a ceremony at the Tower of London on Thursday, December 19. The judges praised the emotion and composition of Anwen’s Puffin photograph ‘Daydreaming in the Chamomiles’, marvelling at how tough it is to photograph puffins and remarking on the beautiful, diffused background.
Reacting to her win, Anwen said: “It’s very surreal and amazing to have won. I think this will really encourage me to keep going and push to make this a career.
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“I was amazed at being shortlisted as a finalist so to win makes me determined to keep going and keep improving. I’ve won a few local competitions but nothing on this scale!”
Anwen snapped the photograph of the puffin on a long anticipated visit to Pembrokeshire’s famous Skomer Island. Dedicated to her hobby, Awen explained that she is happy to spend 10 hours in a bird hide, or wake at sunrise to put on camouflage gear and head to a field in the bid to catch a perfect photograph.
Anwen Whitehead’s ‘Daydreaming in the Chamomiles’ was the overall winner at the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards -Credit:Anwen Whitehead
She said: “That’s my happy place. It’s very relaxing to be out in nature and away from screens. It allows me to slow down a little bit. It can take a long time but it’s always worth it in the end and the buzz afterwards lasts all day or all week!
“I’ve always had a love of animals. We live in rural Wales so I’m surrounded by animals and nature. I think it’s really important to try and help protect nature through photography by showing both the magic and the fragility of nature to help make people realise how special nature really is. I see wildlife photography as a tool for conservation by helping to spread the word.”
Anwen’s puffin shot was not her only photo recognised this year, with a whopping seven images of her images being shortlisted in the final. Her red squirrel image, ‘Sergeant Squirrel reporting for duty’ was commended in the 12-15 category while an image of swallows came runner-up in the City Life category.
‘Sergeant Squirrel reporting for duty’ -Credit:Anwen Whitehead
The awards, which celebrate photos capturing the animal kingdom taken by young people aged 18 and under on a camera or mobile device, are judged anonymously by a panel of photography experts, making Anwen’s multiple successes even more impressive. As the overall winner, Anwen received a weekend photography break.
There was also another Welsh success at the awards, as nine-year old Jamie Smart from Llandridnod Wales won four categories. Last year, Jamie became the youngest ever overall winner of the RSPCA photography competition and this year had eight images shortlisted.
One of her winning photos titled ‘Not Impressed’ shows her 13-year-old cat Humbug and won the prize in the Pet Portraits category. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Jamie Smart’s ‘Not Impressed’ shows her 13-year-old cat Humbug -Credit:Jamie Smart
Jamie said: “To be shortlisted for the YPAs three times in a row is mindblowing and winning last year has had a big impact on me. I aimed to win overall and then I did, so I put a lot of hard work into it. It was amazing to win! It made me want to enter again and take more photos and try new things.
“I’d love to be a wildlife photographer and presenter one day, that’s my dream job. I like showing the different sides to wildlife, the cute side but also what they have to go through. I want to inspire people to fall in love with animals and to protect them. The more people who are inspired by wildlife the more they will want to protect them and that’s the key to my photography.”
Chris Packham, TV presenter, RSPCA President and supporter of the awards since its inception over 30 years ago, said: “As ever, this is a wonderful portfolio of work. This competition always attracts very strong entries and my special congratulations goes to all the winners and of course, especially, to the overall winner.”