Barnsley Civic is proud to announce the recipients of the third Barnsley Young Photographers Award, supported by Photoworks.
We had 46 submissions this time round, with two thirds of those being under the age of sixteen, which not only represents the high number of young taking up the hobby of photography and image making, but the encouragement of photography and art teachers in local schools and colleges.
A number of the young artists who entered last year, have returned, showing how their work has developed over the last year, and like last year, many new names are counted amongst the entrants as well.
First Place in the Age 11 – 16 Category is Meghan Buckle who is inspired by nature and up close photography, whose submission – a triptych of images – saw them experiment with layer and homemade filters. Meghan lives in Barnsley and is a student at The Elland Academy in Leeds.
AGE 11 – 16 CATEGORY
- FIRST PLACE – MEGHAN BUCKLE
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – MAHALA CHRISTMAS
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – NOAH WILLIAMS
- COMMENDED – DAVID SOLANKE
- COMMENDED – ANNIE LAW
Placing first in the Age 16 – 21 (in post-secondary education) category is Jack Pearce, who placed Commended last year. Jack’s work explores his own identity and heritage through location, including self-portraiture for the first time. Jack is living in Barnsley and is currently a Level 5 Photography Student at Sheffield Hallam.
AGE 16 – 21 (POST SECONDARY EDUCATION) CATEGORY
- FIRST PLACE – JACK PEARCE
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – CHLOE HUNTER
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – LIZZIE RACE
- COMMENDED – JAKE RICHARDSON
- COMMENDED – MAX WORRALL
In the category celebrating local photographers aged 18+ who have either graduated or are in the early stages of their artistic career, artist Emilie Rose placed first. Emilie is a poet and an analogue photographer who often works under the pseudonym God’s Favourite. Emilie lives and works in Barnsley and while not originally from Barnsley, her photography is a celebration of the town she has grown to love and the strangers she meets.
GRADTUATE OR EMERGING PROFESSIONAL CATEOGRY
- FIRST PLACE – EMILIE ROSE
- HIGHLY COMMENDED – NATASHA DODSON
- COMMENDED – OLIVIA CLIFFORD
Keep an eye out on our socials, as we share work by all awards photographers over the coming weeks.
All artists listed will have work exhibited in a group exhibition IN FRAME 3 at Barnsley Civic from 21 February – 25 April 2026. The exhibition is supported by The Great Childhoods Ambition fund. The exhibition forms part of Barnsley’s FOTO 2026 photography festival, supported by Photoworks, Barnsley Council and Barnsley Civic.
