‘It felt celebratory’: Portrait of Britain winners - in pictures

From charity workers to synchronised swimmers via a young lad having tea with his nan, these people all inspired award-winning photographs

“A picture, without you even noticing, emits an energy and becomes a reminder of something that matters to you, whatever that might be. It stays with you for life. It isn’t an instant dopamine hit, it’s an emotional journey that keeps changing over time.” Adam Docker

“Cinematographer and documentary photographer Adam Docker is one of the 100 winning photographers whose work forms part of the exhibition.”

Since its inception in 2016, Portrait of Britain has sought to redefine how and where we encounter photography. Rather than asking audiences to come to art, the project brings art to audiences, embedding portraits into the rhythm of daily life. Vol. 8 continues this mission with conviction.

‘This year, Docker’s winning image is a portrait of Liela Medani, a Sudanese woman who settled in London in the 1990s and was impacted by the outbreak of war in Sudan in 2023.’

We are Humanity - 14 page Interview.

In the fast-flowing currents of modern life, Adam Docker is a seeker of emotional truth, often concealed in the faces of the crowd. Docker channels his understanding of human experience into moving images that resonate well beyond the frame. He prioritises human connection over mere effect.

ArtDoc Submissions My art is a dialogue—a bridge between worlds, between past and present, between identity and heritage. It is an invitation to reflect, connect, and find beauty in both the struggle and the stillness of life.

Life Today captures the rhythms, connections, and stories that define our contemporary world. From the grandeur of natural landscapes to the intimacy of human relationships and from everyday moments to abstract expressions of creativity, these photographs reveal life as vivid, dynamic, and multifaceted.

‘The film-maker who believes that a photo is for life‘

Adam Docker is the latest in a long line of cinematographers to find solace in photography

“Adam Docker's work is a testament to the transformative power of photography. His goal is not just to capture a moment, but to witness its evolution into something new and profound.”

Here at B+W we’re looking for those stunning single images that just lend themselves to large-scale printing.

"I want to catch something in the act and watch it become something else. I wonder what emotions magically arise when the mind interprets a visual puzzle."

‘It was a special moment to capture the freedom, the unbridled joy of children’s innocence in this image.’

If you were as awestruck by our cover image as we were upon first sight then you might be interested to know more about Adam Docker, and how the cover image and those overleaf came to be