Young Photographer 2026 District Final

Budding photographers from across the East Midlands have put their skills and creativity on show for this year’s Rotary Young Photographer competition.

The theme for the 2025/26 competition is ‘Happiness in Nature’.

Creativity is at the heart of the Rotary Young Photographer competition, with each participant given the scope to interpret the broad brief in a way that is meaningful to them.

The participants in the District final, aged 10 to 17, have come through local heats, all with the support of sponsoring Rotary clubs, keen to give young people opportunities to shine. The standard of the entries was very high and the judges task was extremely difficult. They praised the degree of competency shown and the composition of the photos.

The following were the winners of the East Midlands District round and will now progress to the National Final.

Senior - Henry Pettifer (age 17)

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Melton Mowbray Belvoir

Henry's description of his photo - "The image shows happiness in nature by capturing a person standing peacefully in the sunlight, surrounded by open space and beautiful scenery, which makes it feel calm, freeing and uplifting".

Intermediate - Axel Ross-Richardson (age 12)

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lindum Lincoln

Axel's description is - "This photo shows Happiness in Nature., it shows a squirrel happy and content in its environment.  It is clear, has good contrast and a variety of colours creating a cheerful picture, encouraging happiness from the viewer. Especially as the squirrel appears to be smiling"

Junior - Katherine Nash (age 9)

Sponsored by the South East Midlands Hub

Katherines description is - A Muntjac that is happy in its natural Environment.