Celebrating Excellence: Ritchie Elder Wins Silver at the 2026 AOP Emerging Talent Awards

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We are thrilled to share some fantastic news from Edinburgh College Photography

A huge congratulations to Ritchie Elder, a recent graduate of Edinburgh College Photography, who has been awarded the prestigious Silver Award at the Association of Photographers (AOP) Emerging Talent Awards 2026.

Capturing Heritage and Hope: Saturday School

Ritchie earned this recognition for his poignant photographic series, Saturday School. The series captures the moving final day of the school term at the Ukrainian Saturday School, hosted at Leith Academy.

Established over three years ago, this remarkable school is the first of its kind in Scotland. It offers Ukrainian children displaced by war a dedicated space to learn about their language, culture, and history alongside their mainstream Scottish education. The school plays a vital role in providing stability and community, helping young people stay deeply connected to their heritage while building new lives in Scotland.

Collaborative Storytelling

To create this series, Ritchie worked closely and respectfully with the children, their families, and the school staff,capturing authentic moments of warmth, learning, and reflection.

Saturday School is part of a broader documentary project developed in collaboration with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, aimed at documenting and honoring Ukrainian culture and community life throughout Scotland.

What the Judges Had to Say

Kim Pappas, Agent, Process and 2026 Judge, says of the work, “There is a real tenderness to the Saturday School portraits, and the way the light falls on the young subjects is beautiful. A good portrait is emotive and moving - and I think this series touched us all."

Khaly Nguyen, Marketing Director, BUILDHOLLYWOOD, says of the Award, “Emerging photographers bring fresh perspectives and new ways of seeing the world. At BUILDHOLLYWOOD, we’re proud to support the AOP Emerging Talent Award and give the next generation of creative voices a platform on the streets..."

What Ritchie Had to Say About Edinburgh College Photography

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made, my wife encouraged me to go for it and I have absolutely zero regrets. The College really gives you all the tools you need to succeed in what is a tough industry. The equipment available is of the highest standard, and the support and guidance you receive from the lecturers is unbelievable”.

“If you’re a mature student, 30, 40, or if you’ve just left school, I can’t recommend enough studying at Edinburgh College.”

Congratulations, Ritchie!

This Silver Award is a testament to Ritchie's thoughtful approach to documentary photography and his ability to tell deeply human stories through his lens. We wish him all the best as he continues to make his mark in the creative industry!