Every year, through our Print Futures Awards, we give talented young people grants of up to £1500 to go towards their career development. This year we had 44 very deserving winners with promising careers in the print, publishing, paper, packaging and graphic arts sectors.
Benjamin Wareing, photographer and photojournalist who specialises in the British Royal Family, politics and breaking news, was a winner in our Journalism category this year. We spoke to Benjamin shortly after he purchased his camera equipment about some of the events he’s managed to capture since.
“Just a few days after buying two Nikon lenses using my Print Futures 2020 Award I was photographing an incredibly touching and important historical moment: the groundbreaking of the new National Police Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire”, Benjamin tells us.
Breaking the ground on this new monument were the fathers of PC Fiona Bone and PC Nicola Hughes who were murdered on duty in Manchester in 2012.
“I’ve supported the National Memorial Arboretum for about three years now photographing royal events, events of national remembrance, and annual installations that raise valuable funds for the Arboretum’s running and maintenance. It’s a touching place to work in, and document history like this is the most rewarding aspect of my job”, says Benjamin.
Having recently graduated from Staffordshire University with a BA Honours in Journalism, Benjamin is now always on the lookout for his next project to photograph. Most recently, he has been out and about capturing images of the local lockdown in Preston, Lancashire as well as marking the 75th anniversary of VJDay attended by HRH Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. You can see more of his work on his website and instagram.
The 2020 Print Futures Awards are now closed. You can see all of our winners here and find out about the 2021 awards by signing up to our newsletter.