Picture This: ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ Competition Launches today, on Yorkshire Day

Snap to it, as Welcome to Yorkshire and Yorkshire Cancer Research launch ’The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ competition.

The competition launches on Yorkshire Day (1^st August), encouraging entrants to submit their inspiring images showing Yorkshire at its very best and to have the chance to be selected to feature in ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ 2022 calendar (plus other great prizes). 

Enter here: www.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/bigyorkshirephoto   

Categories include (and can be interpreted by each individual photographer):

Yorkshire – stunning moors and dales, cityscapes and coastlines – or another great location

Life – celebrating all that life in Yorkshire has to offer

Together – Yorkshire people and communities who make the county such a special place.

The winning 12 images chosen by the judges, will be included in a 2022 ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ calendar, with all profits donated to Yorkshire Cancer Research, plus any donations will also be welcomed. The final 12 chosen will also see their names and home town or city published alongside their image.  

In addition, the public will choose their favourite from the final 12 photos, and the overall winning image will take pride of place on ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot‘ calendar cover, plus that photographer will then have the opportunity to spend a day with head judge, internationally acclaimed photographer, Joe Cornish, out on location and then at his impressive gallery in Northallerton creating a unique, personal print http://www.joecornishgallery.co.uk/

Other ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ judges will also include bestselling author/TV’s Dr Amir Khan who is passionate about film-making, photography and the benefits of the great outdoors (particularly spotting wildlife), Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive James Mason and Yorkshire Cancer Research Chief Executive Dr Kathryn Scott, plus TV personality Christine Talbot. 

Head judge (professional landscape photographer) Joe Cornish said: “‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ is an open, inclusive initiative to celebrate our wonderful county through photography. It will be fascinating to see how the themes of … Yorkshire … Life … Together … are photographed in a meaningful and inspiring way, focussing on Yorkshire's beauty and diversity, and including landscape, wildlife, architecture, community and whatever catches the eye.”

TV’s Dr Amir Khan, bestselling writer and ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ judge ,said: “I’m incredibly excited to be part of ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ judging panel for this fantastic Welcome to Yorkshire and Yorkshire Cancer Research competition. It combines all that I’m passionate about … my beloved county of Yorkshire, the health benefits of being in the great outdoors and capturing in a photo what this county has to offer, plus being part of something incredibly positive to raise awareness of Yorkshire Cancer Research and its vital lifesaving work. I cannot wait to see the inspiring entries… I’m hoping for some wildlife shots!”

TV personality Christine Talbot said “Having broadcast from every part of the county over the years and experiencing what a fantastic and diverse place it is, I’m delighted to be part of  ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ judging panel. I’m looking forward to seeing the fabulous photographs submitted, but I’m sure it won’t be an easy task selecting the final twelve.

As someone who has personally received vital cancer treatment in the past, I am also aware of the importance of being part of this inspiring initiative, which will raise awareness of the continuing groundbreaking work carried out by Yorkshire Cancer Research, as it surges forward with critical advancements in cancer research and treatment.”

Yorkshire Cancer Research Chief Executive Dr Kathryn Scott said “Yorkshire is big and beautiful, and our new photo competition – launched on Yorkshire Day itself - presents the perfect opportunity to celebrate all that’s great about our much-loved region. Both my husband and daughter are keen photographers, so we’ve got a lot of photographs around our home of great Yorkshire scenes, from old mills and cityscapes to natural rock formations and canals. As a fan of Yorkshire scenery, I’m really looking forward to seeing the competition entries.

“We really do have so much to be proud of in Yorkshire. But together, we can do so much more to reduce the devastating impact of cancer and the heartbreak it brings to so many families. The funds and awareness raised through the competition and the sale of our new calendar will support experts and leading researchers who pioneer early cancer diagnosis and discover new and better treatments.”

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive James Mason said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to send in their favourite image of the county for ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’. It may be a photo already taken (as we’d love to see all seasons represented) or it may be that people intend to go out and capture a location, person, community or our wonderful wildlife during the month of August. There’s so much to choose from, including breathtaking countryside, vibrant cities, spectacular coastline, food, drink, arts, history, heritage and inspiring individuals. We want to see your Yorkshire! 

“Welcome to Yorkshire showcase the county regionally, nationally and internationally and ‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ competition will be the perfect platform to shout about the county, plus partnering with Yorkshire Cancer Research also means that this initiative will raise awareness and vital funds for lifesaving research.

“Cancer is not exclusive. Almost everyone in the county will know someone affected by it. We’ve already seen Welcome to Yorkshire’s strong brand and global support helping raise a significant amount of awareness and money for this important charity, and any further donations would be hugely appreciated, with all profit from sales of the calendar also being contributed.” 

Statistics show that 1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with cancer and the impact on individuals, as well as their loved ones is immense. Every week in Yorkshire, 592 people are told that they have the disease. Yorkshire Cancer Research’s goal is that by 2025, at least 2,000 more people across the county survive cancer every year. Raising awareness, continued research and vital fundraising are all of the utmost importance to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

‘The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot’ competition is a great opportunity to not only showcase Yorkshire and all it has to offer, but to raise vital funds for Yorkshire Cancer Research and to highlight the importance of their continued groundbreaking medical advancements.

The Big Yorkshire Photo Shoot competition: 

Launch date: Yorkshire Day (1^st August 2021)

Closing date for entries: Tuesday 31^st August 2021

Winners will be chosen and notified in September.