Picture perfect! Edinburgh College graduate becomes the first female photographer to win Scottish Portrait Award
When Jennifer Charlton first walked through the doors at Edinburgh College little did she know that just a few years later she would be entering the history books, by becoming the first woman to win a prestigious photography award during a ceremony held in Edinburgh recently.
Jennifer, who completed her BA (Hons) in Professional Photography at the College in June and graduates later this year, became the first female photographer to win the MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Colour Photography at this year’s Scottish Portrait Awards.
Jennifer said: “To win the Scottish Portrait Awards has always been a huge dream of mine but I only considered it something I would use to help inspire me to constantly improve my work, rather than an actual possibility. To see my name next to all of the inspiring people on the shortlist felt like I had already won the lottery and to then be told I’d won is something that is going to take a long time to sink in.”
Entitled ‘John’, Jennifer’s winning photograph former part of her BA (Hons) degree portfolio series ‘A Hidden Community’, which depicted people who had chosen to share their experience with mental health issues.
Jennifer explains: “When I took the image on a cold February morning, I promised John I would do my very best to find a way to make this image successful in getting his story out there. He had left home at 5am, sat in freezing cold water, and was the perfect subject willing to do anything I asked to realise my vision. He had made himself vulnerable, sharing his story with me and allowing it to go public. I just wanted his bravery and selflessness to be recognised.”
Jennifer credits her success in part to her time at College learning from her lecturers and working alongside her classmates.
She said: “Taking that first step was probably the hardest. To be surrounded by other students who had the same interest in photography as me was so inspiring. I did not start out expecting to continue onto the HND and BA let alone the Honours course, five years in total. Once I realised the huge potential of knowledge, inspiration and support the tutors could offer, I knew I somehow had to find a way to stay on, and strive to become the best photographer I could be.
“It was also in the back of my mind it would be the perfect way to thank my tutor Raymond Keith for all his hard work and belief in me. All the tutors at Edinburgh College go above and beyond for the students.”
Edinburgh College Photography lecturer Jon Lee said: “We are delighted that Jennifer has won the prestigious First Prize in the Scottish Portrait Awards 2024. Jennifer's dedication to her craft has been evident throughout her time at College. She has consistently excelled, earning a first-class degree and receiving numerous awards in the process.”
Jennifer’s photograph will now go on display as part of the Scottish Portrait Awards 2024 exhibition, which can be seen at the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh until this Saturday (September 28).
The exhibition then moves to Banff from October 4 to January 31, before stopping off at the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Gallery at the Glasgow Art Club from February 8-27.