A professional photographer from the Forest of Dean has won a prestigious national award from one the UK's leading photography associations in 2025.
Huw Jones, a member and current chair of the Forest of Dean Camera Club, has won the annual Founder's Cup from national association The Guild of Photographers, for a submission of photos taken of Premiership Women's Rugby high-flyers, Gloucester-Hartpury.
A professional association offering training, mentoring, qualifications and 'a vibrant community for all' photographers, The Founder's Cup is one of the Guild's most prestigious annual prizes.
Submission is open to guild members who've not previously won any regional, national or international photography competitions run by photographic bodies — reflecting its founders' ethos of encouraging photographers to take the initial steps to push themselves.
An experienced photographer who became 'serious' about the art ten years ago, Huw has his own photography business, Tucked Away, through which he practices a range of styles, from wildlife and outdoor to sport, portrait and lifestyle.
For the competition, Huw submitted a three image mini-portfolio of photos he took of the Gloucester-Hartpury women's rugby team, which he regularly photographs, through which he captures the emotion of the players in-game.
The Guild's panel of judges whittled down entries from photographers across the UK to ten finalists, who were invited to attend an awards ceremony in Stoke-on-Trent this February 2025.
Huw said he was 'shell-shocked' and 'totally surprised' to win the award, as the other finalists had produced images 'to such a high standard'.
He added that being a part of both the Guild and Forest of Dean Camera Club has helped him to 'learn and grow' as a photographer; and he hopes his success will 'spur more club members to showcase their talents and enter competitions at national level'.
