How I Got Shortlisted for the World Food Photography Awards 2026

A little news- I’ve been shortlisted for the World Food Photography Awards! I’m allowing myself an exclamation mark here because it truly feels significant to say that, particularly as it’s the first time I’ve entered. When I made the decision to enter, after a few gentle pushes from family and fellow photographer friends, I went into it simply wanting to take part and see what the process might bring. So to now know that one of my images has been included is something I’m genuinely thrilled about.

One of the most challenging parts was deciding what to submit- so I thought it might be useful to share a little here about how I decided what I would enter, in case it’s helpful for next time.

My first step was to pull together a selection of images I felt connected to. I then asked friends and family to choose the ones that stood out to them. It’s surprisingly difficult to step back and view your own work objectively, so having that outside perspective definitely helped bring a bit more clarity for me. Below are a few that made my shortlist.

A photographer friend, Roberta Dall’Alba, also shared a selection of my images with her audience to gather feedback. I trust her eye as she’s an expert in colour psychology, so her understanding of colour and visual balance added another layer to the decision making process. It was a helpful reminder that while feedback is valuable, there is always an element of unpredictability in how work is received.

This helped me whittle my images down to the three that I ultimately entered, I’ve added these below. I entered into four categories, with one image submitted into two different categories.

And here is the image that’s been shortlisted in the Fortnum and Mason sponsored category, Food at the Table. It brings together a collection of dishes arranged as a shared spread, built around a palette of reds and pinks. Radicchio, blood orange, pomegranate and beetroot appear across the scene, creating variation in texture while keeping the colour story cohesive.

Although these colours can feel bold, I was interested in how they could also create a sense of calm. Natural light was key to shaping the overall atmosphere. My intention was to create something that feels inviting and familiar.

That idea of sharing food really does sit at the centre of my work. I’m passionate about how food creates connection, whether that’s around a table, within communities, or through the stories behind what we eat. It’s also something I think about in a wider context, working with people and brands who are mindful of their impact on both people and the environment.

Photography has been a constant for me for as long as I can remember, from taking photos on family holidays as a child to working more intentionally photographing food in recent years, so to have my work recognised by the World Food Photography Awards is, as I say, such a thrill.

Congratulations to all the other photographers shortlisted this year. There is an incredible range of work in the awards, and it’s inspiring to see so many different interpretations of food and storytelling. I’m grateful to be included alongside it.