Photographer wins national award for swimmer portrait
A photographer who lived in Caithness for four years hopes her success in a national competition will raise awareness around mental health and inspire others not to give up on their dreams.
Jennifer Charlton received a £2000 prize for winning the MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Colour Photography, becoming the first woman to do so.
The winning photograph – one of a series entitled A Hidden Community – featured swimmer John T Mackay, from Keiss, having a dip on a chilly February morning at North Berwick in East Lothian.
Using a mix of friends and strangers as volunteers, Jennifer says her photographs show how “we live in a hidden community where mental health doesn’t discriminate”.
Jennifer, formerly of Gillock, now lives in Duns in the Scottish Borders. She is a single parent of three.
For a number of years she has worked as a sports photographer in the male-dominated arena of boxing.
“Every time I stand ringside as the only woman among all the other photographers, I hope one female might see me and decide she wants to try it as well,” Jennifer explained.
“Going to college to study photography as a single mum, I had no idea how I was even going to find a weekly sitter for the evening class – the logistics of doing a degree were unthinkable. I hope to inspire others in difficult circumstances that anything is possible if you want it enough.
“The common denominator for those in my photographs to come forward was to help others. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can be affected by mental health issues and everyone’s story is different.”
On her winning image of John, she said: “He sat in freezing cold water and was the perfect subject, willing to do anything I asked to realise my vision.
“Of course, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would win the MPB Scottish Portrait Award in Colour Photography.”
The image has extra meaning as John’s mum, Vicky Mackay, was responsible for Jennifer buying her first camera.
“Vicky supported me and got me through a very difficult time in my life,” Jennifer explained.
“After I moved away to start again, she saw something in my first photos and believed I needed to pursue photography. One day I opened a card and she had sent me money telling me I should use it to ‘put towards my first camera’.
“It therefore gave me the permission I needed to buy something for myself when we were struggling to cover the essentials.
“Without Vicky’s vision and kindness, I would never have taken up photography. To win this award with her son’s portrait means everything – it feels like we have come full circle.”
Jennifer has now achieved a first-class honours degree in Professional Photography from Edinburgh College and Kingston University London.
She was presented with an outstanding achievement award last week at Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall. Last year she gained a BA with distinction from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
“It has been a gruelling five years commuting, working and studying which I would not change for the world,” she said.
“I am continuing with the mental health project A Hidden Community and hope to make it into a solo exhibition and book.”
The Scottish Portrait Awards and related exhibition – bringing together portraits across fine art and photography – are organised by the Scottish Arts Trust.
The exhibition is free and can be seen at Duff House, Banff, until the end of January 2025. It will then move to the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Gallery at Glasgow Art Club from February 8-27.
From this year, the Scottish Portrait Awards are moving to a biennial schedule. The 2026 awards will open for entries on September 1, 2025.
They are open to anyone over 16 years, born, living or studying in Scotland, regardless of experience.
