A grandfather and granddaughter from Caerphilly, Wales are both finalists in the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem®, a global competition regarded as the ‘Oscars of food photography’.
Harry Williams (77) and his granddaughter Hollie Williams (10) each have an image in the finals of the prestigious Awards, which this year received nearly 10,000 entries from 70 countries around the world.
“I’ve been giving Hollie photography lessons for the past two years. I was a professional photographer for 50 years, so it gives me immense pleasure in nourishing her interest in photography, as she seems to be very creative and a very quick learner,” says Harry, who has been a finalist in the Awards before.
“She started her photography journey aged 9 – the same age her grandad started! She shoots on an iPhone and a DSLR with no fear of the tech side of things, but asks plenty of questions along the way. I’ve had a great life as a freelancer so it’s an opportunity for me to promote the art of photography for future generations. After she’s shot her images we critique them from an objective point of view, so that she learns from criticism and uses it as positive feedback which she can use to develop her skills.”
- Harry Williams (77) and granddaughter Hollie (10) are finalists in the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem®, a global competition regarded as the ‘Oscars of food photography’.
- Hollie’s photo ‘Sprouting Onion’ is a finalist in the Jamie Oliver Youth Prize - 12 and under category, which includes Jamie Oliver as one of the judges.
Harry is a finalist in On the Phone in support of Action Against Hunger, a category dedicated to food-related photos taken on mobile phones. Hollie is a finalist in the Jamie Oliver Youth Prize – 12 and under category, which counts Jamie Oliver himself as one of the judges. The category’s winner will be invited to visit the Jamie Oliver Headquarters in London.
On 20 May, Harry and Hollie will be travelling down to London for the competition’s Champagne Taittinger Awards Evening at the Mall Galleries, which will see fellow finalists, judges and stars of the food and arts worlds come together as Yotam Ottolenghi, renowned chef, restaurateur and food writer, announces the winners.
“When she discovered she was shortlisted, and then later a finalist, I think it’s fair to say she was bouncing around like a tennis ball and she can’t wait to attend the Awards Evening,” says Harry.
“It’ll be an experience she’ll remember for the rest of her life and hopefully start her on a lifelong journey which will teach her so much and give her immense joy.”
Harry and Hollie’s images will be two of the 185 finalist images on display at the Mall Galleries near Trafalgar Square as part of the 2025 exhibition of the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem®, which has been named one of the best photography exhibitions to see this year. The exhibition is free-to-enter and runs from 21 – 25 May.
To see all the images on the 2025 Shortlist, visit: www.worldfoodphotographyawards.com
Feature image: Harry’s image ‘Lemon Tea’ is a finalist in On the Phone in support of Action Against Hunger, a category dedicated to food-related photos taken on mobile phones.
