Thames Lens Winners 2026: Winners & Private View

This year’s Thames Lens competition showcased the strongest body of work I’ve seen in my four years on the judging panel. The technical quality, originality of ideas and strength of concept across the submissions were exceptional. The way photographers and filmmakers captured River Thames was both thoughtful and imaginative. The Port of London Authority is proud to support confident, accomplished storytelling from both established artists and emerging creative talent.

Theo Albanis, Lead - Projects & Events, Port of London Authority

The quality of submissions was exceptional, marking 2026 out as a vintage year for Thames Lens, and reminding us all of the Thames’s seemingly never-ending capacity to inspire and enrich our lives.

Adrian Evans CVO, Director, Thames Festival Trust

It was a great pleasure to be part of the judging panel for this year’s Thames Lens, which included a new short video category sponsored by Illuminated River. The caliber of entries in all categories was outstanding - with inspiring creativity and originality on display. I particularly enjoyed the fresh perspectives of the river by young people, including students at Ravensbourne College.

Richard Dye, Chief Operating Officer, Illuminated River Foundation

Our recent collaboration with the Thames Lens Photography Competition provided our photography students at Ravensbourne University with a valuable opportunity to engage photographically with the city in which they study. The Thames, historically integral to London's development and a constant source of fascination, became the subject of their creative exploration. This project challenged students to respond to the river and its surrounding environment in innovative ways, encouraging fresh perspectives on a familiar landscape while pushing their photographic practice in new directions.

Miranda Hutton, Senior Lecturer & Course Lead BA Digital Photography, Ravensbourne University

A Night to Celebrate

We gathered at Woods Quay alongside the Port of London Authority and Illuminated River Foundation to celebrate the winners and runners-up of Thames Lens 2026.  

The evening was filled with conversation, inspiration and a shared appreciation for the river that connects us all.  

Winners across the six categories were selected by a distinguished judging panel made up of representatives from Thames Festival Trust, the Port of London Authority and the Illuminated River Foundation.

Inspired?

If you know someone who would love to take part, or if you’re a budding photographer yourself, keep an eye on our website for details of the 2026 competition.

The Thames continues to flow, to change, and to inspire. And as this year’s exhibition proves, there are always new stories waiting to be told. 

Winners & Runner-ups

Thames Festival Trust Overall Winner

• Ghost Rollerskater, Colm McCarthy

River City

• Thames Lens Winner. Between River and Sky, Jonathan Rees
• Thames Lens Runner Up. City on the Thames, Kim Benson

River People

• Thames Lens Winner. Spring Skate, James Trosh
• Thames Lens Runner Up. Mudlarking at night, Mike Profit

Photojournalism

• Thames Lens Winner. A Different Perspective, Nathalie Buttimore
• Thames Lens Runner Up. Barking Riverside, Sarah Ainslie

River of Life

• Thames Lens Winner. Pause by the River, Kamran Rajaby
• Thames Lens Runner Up. Shadow Thames, Jonathan Lei

Working River

• Thames Lens Winner. London NYE Fireworks, Matt McIlroy
• Thames Lens Runner Up. The Iron Giant of the Thames, Rafal Sajdak

Ravensbourne University  

• Thames Lens Winner. Ghost Rollerskater, Colm McCarthy
• Thames Lens Runner Up. Forgotten Tides, Oscar Winstone-Adair

Illuminated River short film

• Thames Lens Winner. London Bridge Tobias Neto
• Thames Lens Runner Up. Perpetual Living Motion Sheila Cohring

Illuminated River short film: Ravensbourne University

• Thames Lens Winner: Illuminated River. The Swimming Light, Avery Anderson Lynch
• Thames Lens Runner Up. My first night in London, Hazel Whitehouse