What better way for an insight into the British Army than through the eyes of its soldiers. Arm them with a camera; be that a top-of-the-range SLR in the hands of one of its professional photographers, a more modest point and shoot belonging to an enthusiast, or simply a smartphone whipped out at just the right moment and what you get is a unique vision of life among the ranks. That is precisely what the Army Photographic Competition 2025 has revealed in truly remarkable set of images.
The winning portfolios in both professional and amateur categories blended the pomp and ceremony of the Army showcasing Britain at its majestic best with the more familiar visions of grit and determination on the faces of those pushed to their limits.
Canadian hit singer and song-writer Bryan Adams, himself a highly accomplished photographer, was among the select panel of judges with the unenviable task of selecting the winners and runners up. He was joined by the Army’s Assistant Chief of the General Staff Major General Paul Griffiths, the Royal Logistic Corps Colonel Col Jacqueline Powell, the Army’s Command Master Photographer WO1 Baz Lloyd, conflict curator and archivist Hilary Roberts, and Graeme Main long-standing Chief Photographer at Soldier Magazine.
Bryan Adams has a proud family history of service in the British Army; both his grandfathers served in the Royal Engineers, and his father served, having graduated from the Royal Military Academy before moving to Canada. Speaking of the competition he said,
“Being asked to judge this year’s competition is an honour as my father and grandfathers all served in the British Army. Picking a winner was hugely challenging, and there could only be one in each category, so my congratulations to everyone who entered.”
Epitomising the breadth and variety of military activity the competition captured, the image of the Year winner could not have contrasted more from that of the runner up. Sergeant Donald Todd’s behind the scenes sensitive portrayal of a young soldier of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery washing down her charger invites the viewer to share what appears to be an intimate yet humorous moment.
Changing the Guard & Behind the Scenes with Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
Compare that to Runner Up, Corporal Aaron Stone’s adrenaline fuelled shot of a paratrooper screaming as he lets rip with his general-purpose machine gun is so stark. If a picture can paint a thousand words – then a facial expression paints a million and this image certainly portrays that.
A Gunner from B Company the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, engages enemy positions with the general purpose machine gun (GPMG) during the combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) phase of Exercise Swift Response on the 4th of May 2024.
16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Army’s global response force, is leading a force of more than 2,300 soldiers, sailors and aviators from four countries working together in Estonia on Exercise Swift Response. The training is about NATO airborne forces building their ability to respond together to crises.
It is part of Steadfast Defender 24, NATO’s largest military exercise since the Cold War, which involves approximately 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO allies.
Professional Portfolio, and Image of the Year winner Sergeant Donald Todd said,
“I was surprised that my entry was chosen as the winning professional portfolio. Having worked with the majority of Army photographers, I have seen some outstanding work throughout the year.”
Winner of the Amateur Portfolio Lance Sergeant Alisdair Szyszko’s selection of images provided a strong depiction of life in the Grenadier Guards. He started taking pictures as a student whilst studying in Surrey before joining the Army in 2018.
“I’ve been really fortunate that I’ve had a very busy Army career with the Grenadier Guards – there has been a lot going on and I’ve been around the world. It’s amazing to be recognised in this competition – I’ve had some pictures published in Soldier magazine before and the trade really interests me.”
The ever-present and ubiquitous smartphone had its own category. Its immediacy and ease of use allows moments to be captured that would once have otherwise been lost. One such moment was of a soldier kneeling during a training exercise with a beautiful red skyscape as a background – it won Warrant Officer Kayley Butler of the Royal Logistic Corps the Smartphone Shot category. Explaining the background to her winning photograph she said,
“It’s great to have won and I’m proud that it showcases the Corps. The image was taken during an individual training requirement camp that 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment ran at Longmoor [training area]. We’d been up since 0400 and as we got to the top of a hill, blowing, there was the most beautiful sunrise. I’d recently taken up photography, but my expensive camera was in my bag because I didn’t want it getting wet. I pulled out my smartphone and got one of the troop commanders to pose.”
