LPA Futures 2023 / And the winners are...

Drumroll, please! It is with immense excitement that we unveil the extremely talented three winners of LPA Futures 2023, each possessing a distinct and remarkable style.

After a hugely successful year drawing a diverse mix of over 100 entries from photographers of various backgrounds and ages, the competition was fiercer than ever. The three winners will now spend 2 years on the LPA roaster where they will be nurtured and supported be our in-house team. Not only this but thanks to our fabulous Partners they will also receive £10,000 worth of prizes to help kick start their career.

Let’s remind ourselves of what they are:

- £500 Credit on lighting and camera rental, 2 hours technical consultancy time, discounts on lighting and camera rental and lighting test sessions, all courtesy of Gripvan

- A Bikinilists UK art buyers data base licence for 12 months

- A Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2.0 Camera bag

- £300 towards a photographic insurance policy from Williamson Carson

- 3 licence keys for a 1-year free annual subscription to Capture One 23 and Capture One for iPad

- Exhibition Prints from MPrint

- Copies of Lisa’s best selling books on setting up and running a successful photography business

- A face to face portfolio review by one of the expert judges

Now, over to the winners…Chris Bethell

Christopher Bethell is a photographer, journalist and picture editor.

He has been working primarily for editorial publications over the last ten years with clients such as VICE, The Guardian, BuzzFeed, The Telegraph and Kerrang amongst others. Chris’s work often has a cinematic feel with a documentary edge, using warm tones and interesting subjects to create strong narratives within each image. His photography life started by studying the art in 2009 and has since completed a BA in Photography at Staffordshire University as well as an MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at London College of Communications.

Chris’s personal work often focuses on exploring identity through themes of the family, community and geography. For his project Duke of Earl, he spent six weeks diving into his own family’s history whilst on a road trip across the USA. Other projects have observed the quintessential side of both US and British life, including Love Me Tender, The Royal Wedding, Crufts, Homecoming, World Cup fans and The Eurovision Song Contest.

Chris’s many accolades include the The Royal Photographic Society’s Under 30’s Gold Award in their International Photography Exhibition, IdeasTap and Magnum’s Street Photography Showcase, Offspring Photo Meet’s Portfolio Award and The Clifton Cameras Award at Format Festival. He has also exhibited widely. Commercially Bethell has worked closely with Saatchi & Saatchi over the past four years on TV campaigns for Head & Shoulders, Gilette, Aussie Shampoo and Pampers amongst others.

Next up we have…Emma Stoner

Emma Stoner is a visual storyteller with strong roots within the Devon countryside. Her work explores the relationship between people & place with themes of history, community and the environment. Our relationship with nature is a core, central topic of her work. Emma is always looking for fresh and creative ways to tell a story.

Emma has worked as a freelance photographer for 12 years. Her clients have included charities & NGO’s, news agencies and magazines. Prior to becoming a photographer full-time she worked on the picture desk at Greenpeace International (2007-2010). In 2021 Emma graduated with an MA in Documentary Photography & Photojournalism from the London College of Communications (University of the Arts, London). Her major project received an honourable mention in the 17th Julia Margaret Awards, Fine Art series category.

As well as producing pictures, Emma founded a people’s history photo-archive ‘My Glastonbury Story’ in 2020, chronicling 50 years of stories from Glastonbury Festival. The snapshots and memories gathered document the collective experience and personal histories woven into the fabric of Worthy Farm. A selection of images and stories from the archive are now part of the V&A’s Glastonbury Collection.

And to round up the trio…Tim Jobling

Tim Jobling first started studying photography before transitioning into a role as a freelance photo assistant in London. This provided him with a diverse range of experiences across the industry, including still life, automotive, and food photography. However, his true passion lies in portraiture. Tim found working with people to be the most fulfilling aspect of his craft, attributing this to the enriching interactions it entailed. His time as an assistant granted him invaluable insights into the inner workings of the industry. He gained technical expertise while also learning to collaborate with a variety of clients on projects of different scales. Now, Tim is actively producing work for various agencies and editorial clients.

Tim’s approach to photography is characterised by its irreverent spirit. He strives to infuse each image with an element of fun and excitement, seeking to engender genuine enjoyment for both himself and the viewers of his work. Recognising the industry’s tendency towards seriousness, Tim places a premium on keeping his work uplifting and vibrant. This inclination often leads him towards specific subjects and bright color palettes, always with the aim of eliciting a smile from those he photographs.

While many photographers can capture compelling images, it’s the choices made in the process—like the placement of a subject or the style of lighting—that ultimately shape the final visual outcome. Tim has dedicated himself to honing his process to ensure that the resulting images bear his unique signature.

We would like to say a massive thank you to our judges, partners, press, applicants and anyone who was in any way affiliated with LPA Futures 2023.

To those who entered this year but didn't clinch victory, please don't be disheartened - we eagerly await your submissions in two years!