A 13-year-old photographer has captured first place in a prestigious nature photography competition with a breathtaking image of Cornish heather. M. Stanway was named the Young People's winner of the Eden Project's inaugural Wildflower Photographer of the Year competition with his photograph titled "Wild in Purple."
The Eden Project announced that hundreds of photographers submitted stunning images from across Britain, spanning locations from the Shetlands to Sark, all showcasing the country's native wildflowers. The competition was organized to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Wildflower Centre (NWC), highlighting the diverse beauty of British flora.
The young winner expressed his excitement and disbelief at receiving the honor, stating he hoped his photograph would inspire others to "see the wonder in the small things in life." He described the magical moment that led to his winning shot: "I am so happy and proud to have won, I still can't believe it. While we were out on an evening family dog walk I was amazed at how the light had turned golden and was shining through the wildflowers - it made something a bit ordinary into something extraordinary and magical."
Judge Clive Nichols, a renowned flower and garden photographer, praised the competition as an opportunity to "enjoy a magnificent showcase of the wildflowers" found throughout the United Kingdom. He emphasized that "the winning photos truly encapsulate the beauty, kaleidoscope of colors and diversity of the wildflowers that we're lucky enough to have growing across our country."
The National Wildflower Centre was originally founded in 2001 and became part of the Eden Project in 2017, with a mission to create new landscapes that benefit both people and pollinators. Juliet Rose, head of development at the Eden Project, explained that the competition serves a greater purpose beyond celebrating photography. "Biodiversity is in crisis and people are less connected with nature than ever," she stated. "We hope that by marking the NWC's 25th anniversary with this competition, the vital importance of wildflowers will be brought to the public's attention, while also celebrating their remarkable beauty."
