Our Students Shine in the Rotary Young Photographer Competition
4th March 26
Abbey College Cambridge students are celebrating fantastic success after excelling in the Cambridgeshire round of the Rotary Young Photographer Competition, a long‑running national contest organised by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland.
Run locally by The Rotary Club of Cambridge, in partnership with the Cambridge Independent, the Cambridge Camera Club, and Campkin’s Cameras, this year’s competition invited young photographers to respond creatively to the inspiring theme: “Happiness in Nature.”
Open to children and young people across schools, colleges, youth groups and home‑education communities, the competition celebrates both creativity and technical skill. Winners in each category receive certificates and prizes, with selected images featured in the Cambridge Independent and shared across Rotary platforms – an exciting opportunity for any young photographer.
This success is a wonderful reflection of our thriving Photography Department, led by teacher Susan, whose passion, technical expertise and encouragement have helped shape a vibrant community of young creatives at Abbey College Cambridge. Students regularly explore both digital and film photography, experiment with composition and lighting, and build portfolios that express their individuality and artistic curiosity.
Susan’s dedication to nurturing confidence and artistic voice shines through in the accomplishments of her students – and this competition provided the perfect stage for them to share their talents with a wider audience.
Susan shared:
“I feel incredibly privileged to promote creative competitions within the A Level Photography curriculum, as they provide students with an authentic platform to apply and refine their skills beyond the classroom. Such opportunities raise aspirations, encourage professionalism, and challenge students to develop resilience, independence and confidence. Through preparing and presenting work for an external audience, students strengthen their technical ability, critical thinking and creative voice, supporting both their academic success and their wider personal development.”
Senior District Winner: Dari (Year 13)
Winning image: Peaceful Horizon
In the Senior District (14 – 17) category, Dari was crowned the overall winner for her serene and atmospheric photograph Peaceful Horizon. Her image beautifully captures the soft tones of sky mirrored across still water—a moment of pure quiet in nature.
Dari reflected on her artistic choice:
“I selected this picture because it shows how calm and beautiful nature can be. The soft colours in the sky and the smooth water make the scene feel peaceful and happy. I like how the pier leads your eye into the distance, which makes you think about quiet moments and enjoying the stillness in nature.”
Senior Category Commendation: Eva (Year 12)
Commended photograph: Fibonacci
Also recognised in the Senior category, Eva received a commendation for Fibonacci, a striking image inspired by natural mathematical patterns. Her photograph highlights the iconic spiral found in shells – an elegant example of the Fibonacci sequence at work in nature.
Eva explained the meaning behind her piece:
“My photograph links to the theme Happiness in Nature because it captures the beauty of natural patterns and structure. The shell shows the Fibonacci sequence, a spiral that appears in so many living things. I wanted to show how nature can be both simple and complex at the same time, and how its perfection can bring a calm and satisfying feeling.”
Intermediate Category Commendation: Lauren (Year 9)
Commended photograph: Chestnut Trees
In the Intermediate (11 – 13) category, Lauren was awarded a commendation for her evocative photograph Chestnut Trees. Captured on Jesus Green, her image shows the silhouettes of horse chestnut trees as day fades into evening – a thoughtful contrast between the peacefulness of nature and the glow of the nearby city.
Lauren shared:
“I always remember the line of big horse chestnut trees on Jesus Green. Since the light was fading, I thought I could capture the shadows of the trees with the light coming from the city centre. My photograph shows the contrast between the city and nature, and I feel so lucky to live in a town with such special and beautiful trees.”
Celebrating Talent, Creativity, and Joy in Nature
These achievements highlight the remarkable creativity, technical skill and thoughtful interpretation of Abbey College Cambridge students. Each photographer approached the theme Happiness in Nature with originality and reflection, producing images that show how the natural world brings brightness, calm and inspiration.
We extend huge congratulations to Dari, Eva and Lauren for representing Abbey College Cambridge so brilliantly. Their work will be celebrated with special certificates, and they have been invited to attend an upcoming awards ceremony – a wonderful opportunity to recognise their talent and dedication.
Ellen, Principal, shared her pride:
“We are absolutely thrilled for Dari, Eva and Lauren. Their success reflects not only their outstanding talent and hard work, but also the strength of our creative community here at Abbey College Cambridge. We are incredibly proud of the way they have represented the school and brought such beauty and thoughtfulness to this year’s competition.”
