Photography student is in the frame for national award – again!

University of Gloucestershire student Annabel Lee-Ellis has been shortlisted for a highly prestigious photography award for the second year in a row.

Annabel, who is working towards a degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, is a finalist in the Student Photographer of the Year category in the 2023 UK Picture Editors Guild Awards.

Highly commended last year, the second-year student impressed this year’s judging panel comprising industry experts with her moving image of a woman holding a Ukrainian flag at a vigil in her home city of Liverpool.

The Picture Editors Guild Awards is a long-running annual competition in which major UK picture editors choose the best images submitted over the last year by the national and regional press, agencies, and freelance photographers.

The Student of the Year category is supported by camera manufacturer Nikon, with the winner to be announced on 16 October.

Annabel said: “I am extremely happy to be shortlisted for the Student Photographer of the Year in the 2023 UK Picture Editors Guild Awards after being highly commended last year.

“I went to a vigil being held for the people of Ukraine in my home city of Liverpool early last year and documented what I saw – it was very moving seeing the gathering of people.

“I spotted a woman in the crowd holding a Ukrainian flag and when I spoke to her after I had taken the photo, she told me she was Ukrainian with family in the country, which I feel gives the image another layer of meaning.

“Documenting people’s stories like this is what I love doing, and I aspire to pursue this as a career after finishing my degree here at the University.”

Paul Roberts, Academic Course Leader: Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, said: “The course team are exceptionally proud to hear that Annabel has been shortlisted in the Student Photographer of The Year category in the Picture Editors Guild awards for the second time.

“This accolade is testament to Annabel’s dedication to her studies, and is further evidence that she is destined for a rewarding career in the world of photojournalism.”

The University’s BA (Hons) Photojournalism and Documentary Photography course scored more than 90% for learning opportunities in the 2023 National Student Survey.

Paul added: “The course uses innovative teaching and learning techniques to ensure that students are not simply sat in classrooms but are directly engaging with their photographic disciplines as often as possible. “The course has been designed together with other industry professionals to ensure that students are industry ready upon graduation into the fast paced and exciting world of photojournalism and documentary photography.”