At the end of March, the London Metropolitan University’s School of Art, Architecture and Design launched a competition for UK based students. The competition, called ‘Your People, Your Places, Your Things (YPYPYT)’, was open to all students aged 16 or over in full time education who are studying photography or visual arts subjects. Students were asked to submit their favourite portrait, landscape or still life photographs in either the ‘Your People’, ‘Your Places’ or ‘Your Things’ categories.

Out of the hundreds of entries that were received, first year student Courteney Blackman was announced as the winner of the ‘Your People’ category – congratulations! Her work will be included in an online exhibition and a printed magazine, along with the other finalists. She’ll also receive a digital c-type print of her work.

Her winning entry, which you can see above, is a portrait of her younger sister. The photo was taken on an iPhone during a warm, sunny day in lockdown last year whilst her sister was cooling off in the paddling pool. It was then edited using a photography mobile app to create the final image.

Courteney commented, “I entered this competition for the experience but also to give me something unique to include on my university applications. I am hoping to go on to do something related to photography in the future!”

Michelle Braby, photography tutor said, “Courteney’s piece captures how portraiture can be so intimate and personal. I applaud her success for winning the competition – it is well deserved.”

For more information about the competition, please click here .