Urmston teen wins at RSPCA Young Photographer Awards

Emily Guest won the 'Instagram' category of the competition with a photo of Ralph – a border collie popular with the people of the town.

The 17-year-old started learning to use her dad's camera during the first lockdown in 2020, before getting out and practising after it lifted.

She said: "I’m truly honoured to win the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards Instagram category, as I’ve spent hours practising and learning to use the camera over the past year."

Explaining the process behind the award-winning photo, Emily said Ralph made 'the perfect model'.

She said: "Ralph is always out and about in Urmston so everyone knows who he is.

"His owner let me snap some shots of him and was happy for me to enter a photo in the competition.

"Ralph turned out to be the perfect model. He was good at posing for the camera!"

The Instagram category was open to 13 to 18-year-olds, who posted on the site using the hashtags #RSPCAYoungPhotographers and #YPALoveAnimals to enter the competition.

A shortlist was made, before a public vote decided on the winner.

Emily will now receive a £100 voucher on Amazon and a trophy.

Christine Lunn, coordinator of the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards, said: "Emily’s photo of Ralph is wonderful and it really shows the joy animals bring us.

"We are passionate about inspiring young people to help us build a kinder world for animals and our photography competition is a chance to really celebrate this.

"Congratulations to Emily and all the runners-up, whose pictures really showcased their talent and passion for animals."

The winners of other categories in the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards are still to be announced, with the shortlists revealed in October and the winners revealed in December.

The ceremony in December will be hosted by RSPCA ambassador and TV presenter Chris Packham.

Here are the other photos shortlisted for the Instagram category: