The future of photography is bright and these award-winning talents demonstrate why, with images of a shrinking glacier in Iceland and a first-of-its-kind school in Scotland

Black-and-white image of a person balancing on a tightrope above a rugged, snow-covered mountain landscape — From climate change to cultural connections, here are the 2026 winners of the AOP Emerging Talent Award (Image credit: Austin Bradley. All images courtesy The AOP)

The AOP Emerging Talent Award winners were just announced. Austin Bradley (UK graduate, 2025) wins Gold with photographs shedding light on a shrinking glacier in Iceland. The Silver award goes to Ritchie Elder, who documented the final day of the term at the Ukrainian Saturday School at Leith Academy in Scotland – the first-of-its-kind.

"This year’s prevailing genre shining through both still and moving image submissions is undoubtedly human-focused, even where the human imprint is on places and animals.

"It's an impressive selection of work, chosen by our expert panel of judges, for our 2026 Emerging Talent finalists, and I’m looking forward to seeing their career development with anticipation," says Isabelle Doran, CEO of the Association of Photographers.

'57 Metres: Iceland’s Shrinking Glacier' wins Gold

Aerial view of a climber suspended on a rope over dark, rugged glacier ice with deep crevasses — Gold Winner: Austin Bradley, *57 Metres: Iceland's Shrinking Glacier* (Image credit: Austin Bradley. All images courtesy The AOP)

AOP states that "Bradley wanted to find a way to visually communicate glacial retreat" making viewers understand the significance and impact of climate change through photography.

He rigged a 57-metre highline across Sólheimajökull Glacier in Iceland, "with the length of the line representing approximately how far the glacier retreats each year due to a warming climate."

Bradley spent several carbon offset days working with highliners, a small film crew and a glaciologist to capture the process on camera, with the footage set to feature in an upcoming documentary.

'Saturday School' receives Silver

Three girls in traditional embroidered clothing and red headbands pose together against a black background — Silver Winner: Ritchie Elder, *Saturday School* (Image credit: Ritchie Elder. All images courtesy The AOP)

Ritchie Elder documented the final day of the school term at the Ukrainian Saturday School at Leith Academy in Scotland – a first of its kind. Established more than three years ago, the school gives Ukrainian children displaced by war the chance to still be connected to their heritage, learning the language, culture and history.

Titled Saturday School, the series forms part of a wider documentary project developed in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

See the award-winnig works

Sponsored by BUILDHOLLYWOOD, the Gold-winning work by Austin Bradley will be exhibited from October 19th–25th, 2026 across selected BUILDHOLLYWOOD digital sites throughout London, creating a street gallery for the work across the city.

In addition, co-sponsor Wex Photo Video will exhibit all finalists’ work onsite at their Putney store location in London.

Discover the 15 finalists' works here. For more information about the winners and exhibition, visit the AOP Awards website.

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Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Kim covers everything from breaking industry news and camera gear to the stories shaping photography today. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, she explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture.