Scottish Portrait Awards 2024 - Jennifer Charlton - Winner

Edinburgh College's Photography Department Celebrates Student Success

We are delighted to announce that Jennifer Charlton, a recent graduate of our BA (Hons) Professional Photography program, has won the prestigious First Prize in the Scottish Portrait Awards 2024. Her portrait, "John," from the series "A Hidden Community," marks a significant achievement as she becomes the first woman to claim this top honour.

Jennifer's dedication to her craft has been evident throughout her time at Edinburgh College. She has consistently excelled, earning a First Class degree and receiving numerous awards, which have been featured prominently on our website.

We are also incredibly proud of the many current and former students who reached the finals and exhibition of the Scottish Portrait Awards. Ritchie Elder, Lilli Barrett, Raymond Davies, and ECP alumni Sofia Conti (who continued her study at Falmouth University) all showcased exceptional work. These talented individuals are poised to make a significant impact in the field of photography.

Another notable achievement was Jennifer McLuckie's placement in the finals of the Scotland Now! Phone Portrait Awards 2024.

Susie Lowe, an Edinburgh College alumni and former part-time lecturer, also earned recognition by winning the Scottish Arts Club Members Prize for Photography for her portrait of artist Alexander Stoddart.

Overall, we are extremely pleased with the high standard of work produced by our students and graduates over the years. It was a privilege for Raymond Keith and I to attend the Scottish Arts Trust on awards night and meet the finalists and winners. The exhibited work was truly outstanding.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the judges – Simon Murphy (Chair), Albert Watson OBE (Guest Judge), Jonathan Daniel Pryce, Margert Mitchell, and Christine Stevenson – and to the fantastic staff at the Scottish Arts Trust for organizing such an impressive exhibition and awards ceremony.

The exhibition is on now Saturday 7 to Saturday 28 September 2024

Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BW

10.30 to 5pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Access to the photography exhibition limited between 12.00 and 2.30pm. Saturday visiting best from 2.30 to 5.00pm due to frequent events in exhibition spaces.

The exhibition can also be viewed online here.

If you are interested in joining as a member of the Scottish Arts Club more information is available on their website.

The winning portrait was from the series 'Hidden Communities' work made through a research module 'Photography In Context', led by Raymond Keith, part of our BA (Hons) Professional Photography program.

'This work is one of a series made about how we are living in a hidden community where mental health doesn’t discriminate. The isolation caused by stigmatisation deprives the sufferers of all the benefits being part of a community bestows upon us. All of the courageous volunteers shared their stories encouraging others to step forward, enabling transparency and the growth of a community where judgement doesn’t exist, only support, compassion and empathy.' - Jennifer Charlton, 2024