Winner of the Portrait of Britain 2024

The Portrait of Britain exhibition, presented by the British Journal of Photography, has selected photographer Rory Lewis’s striking portrait of British Army soldier Trooper Collins for inclusion in its nationwide showcase.

Trooper Collins is one of the first women to serve in the prestigious Household Cavalry, a regiment renowned for its rich history and traditionally male ranks. Her inclusion represents a milestone in the evolution of this distinguished unit. Captured as part of Rory Lewis’s celebrated project, Soldiery: British Army Portraits, this compelling image highlights the changing face of the British Armed Forces.

Rory Lewis Winner of the Portrait of Britain 2024

Shortlisted from over 13,000 entries, Trooper Collins’s portrait is one of 100 images chosen for the 2025 Portrait of Britain exhibition, the UK’s largest public portraiture display. The exhibition will launch on Monday, January 6, 2025, with the portraits showcased across JCDecaux’s nationwide digital screens, appearing in public spaces throughout the country. In addition, the portrait is featured in the Portrait of Britain book, available for purchase on Amazon.

This marks Rory Lewis’s fifth consecutive recognition in the Portrait of Britain competition, further solidifying his reputation as a master portrait photographer.

Simon Bainbridge, Editorial Director of the British Journal of Photography, remarked:
“These portraits celebrate the unique heritage and diversity of modern Britain, as well as its thriving photography culture and the myriad styles and approaches employed by contemporary photographers. While the photographs reflect our tribal allegiances, each image also serves as a reminder that, above all, we are a nation of individuals.”