I had seven images shortlisted in the British Wildlife Photography Awards within the “Hidden Britain“ category. This was my first time entering the competition, which focuses exclusively on British wildlife, and only the second major competition I had ever submitted work to. Having multiple images progress through the first round of judging was both unexpected and genuinely exciting.
Much of my fieldwork had been carried out closer to home, and I felt it was important to measure those images against a national standard. The timing aligned well. I had recently captured a strong series of British species and habitats, and it felt like a natural opportunity to submit work that was both technically refined and personally meaningful.
The shortlisted images focused on lesser-known or easily overlooked British wildlife. They focused on small species and subtle moments that are often missed in favour of more recognisable subjects.
The photographs were produced across multiple field sessions throughout the UK. Many of the subjects were small or well camouflaged, demanding slow and methodical searching. My approach remained consistent with previous projects: deliberate, technically controlled and focused on maintaining a natural sense of place.
None of the images progressed beyond the shortlist stage. However, being recognised in this way was a significant milestone. It marked the second time my work had been shortlisted in a major competition and reinforced that the standard I was working toward was competitive.
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