Winning photography images for 2026

Independent family brewer Shepherd Neame unveils its winning photography images for 2026

Fabulous photographs of nature have been captured in the winning images of Shepherd Neame’s annual spring photography competition.

The Faversham-based family brewer was inundated with entries after launching its search for photos of nature and wildlife in its heartland at the start of the year. Prizes were awarded to one overall winner and four runners-up.

The top prize of a £150 Shepherd Neame gift card went to Mark Ford, from Herne Bay, who snapped a stunning shot of a blackbird in Godmersham.

News of his win came as something of a surprise to Mark, 57, who only took up photography five years ago and this was his first entry into a public contest, having only entered competitions within the Herne Bay Photographic Club before.

Visiting the Faversham Brewery with his wife Lorraine to receive his prize from Communications Manager Angela Cole, Mark said: “I knew absolutely nothing about photography five years ago! I enjoy getting out and taking photography because it’s great to be in the fresh air and to get my thoughts together.

“I took the picture of the blackbird from a hIde in Godmersham. It was only the second time I had visited it,” he said.

Mark, who uses a Canon R6 Mark II for his photographs, intends to treat his wife and two grown-up children to a family meal this summer with his winning gift card.

Four runners-up each received a £25 Shepherd Neame gift card and certificate. They were: Sarah McBride for her image of a busy bee, which was taken in a field on the side of the A251 near Badlesmere; Darryn Jenner for his picture of a nuthatch taken near Canterbury; Alan Smithers for capturing a Highland Cow in Barming on the banks of the River Medway, and Jim Higham for his image of young hares - known as leverets – at Elmley National Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey.

Kathryn Tye, Director of Marketing and Communications, said: “We were once again delighted by the fantastic response to this competition, which is now in its fourth year. We received so many wonderful entries, and the standard was incredibly high, making it a real challenge for our judges to select the winners.

“The display of the winning entries always attracts lots of interest and positive comments from visitors to our Brewery while it’s on show.”

The winning images can be seen in Shepherd Neame’s brewery reception in Court Street, Faversham from Friday, June 5, where they will be on display during normal office hours for at least a month.