Rural Village Life Photography Competition 2025–26

 Anyway, on to today’s little sort of ramble around the thing itself — this new project that’s been growing quietly in the background and now finally feels ready to step out into the daylight. The Rural Village Life Photography Competition 2025–26 is coming soon, and I thought it was worth sitting down for a moment to talk about why I’m doing it, what it’s all about, and what I hope it brings to the community.


🌿 Rural Village Life Photography Competition 2025–26

A celebration of the people, places, and quiet moments that make our countryside what it is

For those who don’t know me, I’m David Wagstaff-Myers, a professional photographer based on the Nottinghamshire–Yorkshire border, and I’ve spent most of my working life chasing moments of light, character, and honest storytelling — whether that’s in portraiture, equestrian events, commercial commissions, or the quieter corners of the countryside.
Village life has always been part of my story. It’s the landscape I move through daily, the rhythm that shapes so much of what I see. And over the years, I’ve come to realise just how rich, varied and tender rural life can be… even in the small, fleeting things.

That’s really where the idea for this competition came from.

🌾 Why this competition?

It began as a small thought:
What if we put a spotlight on the beauty we walk past every day? What if we encouraged people — whether they’re professionals, hobbyists, or just someone with a smartphone — to pause and really look at the world just outside their front door?

Rural village life can be gentle or vibrant, traditional or surprising. It can be laughter outside the pub, a farmer cutting across a lane, mist rising over the fields, or a neighbour stopping for a chat on a Tuesday morning.
These moments deserve celebrating.

And so this competition is less about technical perfection and more about storytelling — about capturing something genuine, honest, and deeply rooted in the place you call home.

🏆 What you can win

I wanted prizes that felt meaningful and useful — something that helps creatives grow, or simply celebrates the art they’ve made.

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

🏅 Overall Winner

  • £50 Fine Art Print Voucher or

  • A Framed Print of your winning image

📷 Adult Winner (18+)

  • A 1-to-1 Photography Mentoring Session with me

🧒 Young Photographer Winner (Under 18)

  • A photography book

  • Plus an official certificate

📱 Smartphone Category Winner

  • A Fine Art Print of the winning image

🗓 All the important dates

To keep things nice and clear, here’s the full timeline:

  • Competition Opens: 1st December 2025

  • Entries Close: 31st January 2026

  • Judging Period: 1st–10th February 2026

  • Winners Announced: 14th February 2026

  • Exhibition & Online Gallery Launch: Spring 2026

Plenty of time to wander, explore, and choose your three best images.

📬 How to enter

It really couldn’t be simpler:

  1. Download the entry pack and fillable entry form from my website.

  2. Submit up to three photographs that reflect “Rural Village Life.”

  3. Email your images and the completed form to david@dwmstudio.com before the closing date.

You can shoot with any camera — DSLR, mirrorless, compact, or smartphone.
What matters is the story you’re telling.

🌱 A final thought…

If I’m honest, competitions like this aren’t really about competition at all. They’re about connection — seeing our villages through someone else’s eyes, appreciating the small details we might otherwise miss, and celebrating the communities that hold us all together.

I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing what you create.

So, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or someone who simply loves the countryside, get involved. Go for a walk, take a moment, and let’s celebrate the quiet magic of rural life — together.

Location: Gringley on the Hill, Doncaster DN10, UK

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