The competition, run by photographic equipment retailer Wex, has three categories – Art, Commercial and the Phil Smith Award. Nominations came from across the country and winners were announced live on YouTube on 15 December.

Entering the ‘Commercial’ category and winning 2nd prize was Bedfordshire student Hugh Quberzky, whose photograph (featured above) was applauded by judges for how it captured the subject. The judges said:

The image is moody, reflective, and showing the intense concentration on the part of the subject. The image feels well considered.

Hugh says he felt overwhelmed and proud to have won 2^nd place at the Awards. As part of the prize, Hugh will receive photography equipment and vouchers for Wex. He said:

“I couldn’t ask for more – well, maybe to be the best next year! I am overwhelmed with the result but feel so proud. Wex competitions are prestigious and it is an absolute honour that my image was recognised by such a distinguished panel of judges.

“As soon as I took the photo I said to the subject, ‘Wow, this is the cover of your next album’. Sometimes you just know when you see an image that has potential; this turned out to be a good hunch.

“This prize is just the beginning of my journey – it makes me want to be more and more creative. My plan is to work in the fashion industry, however with photography studios currently closed due to coronavirus, I have to face the realities of the situation. Hopefully hard work will see me through.

“I want to thank my tutors, especially Dr Nicolo Giudice who encouraged me to enter the competition and Nigel Grimmer who is always so helpful.

“Ultimately, I hope this competition will bring me the exposure I need to succeed in the industry.”

This was the first year that Wex has hosted a Student Photography Awards and they intend to make the event annual.

Louis Wahl, CEO of Wex, hopes the awards can help provide a platform for students to launch a career in commercial imaging. He said:

2020 has been so difficult and so uncertain for many people. Given the restriction we have all been under recently, the opportunity for students to stand out from the crowd has never been more difficult or more challenging.

Hopefully these awards will help provide a platform for young people to present themselves, and their artwork and output, so that they can find a career in commercial imaging.

To see more of Hugh’s work, visit his Instagram page @official_oncebittentwicestyle. The above image of Hugh is credited to Iulian Ciolac.

For information about courses at the School of Art and Design, visit: www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/departments/ad/