A teenager from Cheshire has been commended for two of his photographs in the annual RSPCA Young Photographer Awards.
Sam Morris, 15, from Lymm was recognised in the “small world” and the “12-15” categories.
His image of a spider on a dew-laden web, titled “An Architect in the Rain”, impressed judges in the small world section.
“On a rainy Saturday in August, as the downpour finally eased, I grabbed my camera gear and ventured outside,” he said.
“After some patient searching, I found a tiny spider clinging to the tattered, water-soaked strands of its web, silently repairing the damage left by the heavy rain.
“I set up my tripod and watched in awe as it wove fresh silk, mending each delicate thread of its fragile home.”
Meanwhile, his entry in the 12-15 category featured a colourful springtime snap of a red-breasted robin perching on a flowering blossom tree.
“I was stopped in my tracks by the robin’s unmistakable song,” Sam said.
“Nestled among the soft petals, it perched perfectly in the branches.
“I used the surrounding blooms to naturally frame the moment – capturing the beautiful contrast between the bright vivid orange of the robin with the vibrant pinks of the blossoms to showcase the serene beauty of spring.”
The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards invites young people aged 18 years and under to capture the animal kingdom on a camera or a mobile device.
This year’s winners were announced at a ceremony at the Tower of London held today Thursday (18th December).
They were judged by a panel of photography experts including professional wildlife photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie; former competition winner and now professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; wildlife photographer and tour leader Danny Green; and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Brett Harkness.
‘Skill, dedication and patience’
Presenter and broadcaster Radzi Chinyanganya hosted this year’s award ceremony and said he was “constantly blown away” by the talent and creativity of young people.
“This is epitomised by the entries in these incredible awards. Thousands of people have entered, so to even make the shortlist is testament to their skill, dedication and patience.”
RSPCA CEO Jo Rowland said the awards embodied the charity’s ethos by encouraging people to connect with animals.
“Taking pictures of animals helps us sit up and take notice of how they live and their unique personalities – as well as being able to spot things we might not have seen with the naked eye.
“It can make us appreciate the challenges that wildlife face or see our pets in a whole new light – and sharing those beautiful images can help others to appreciate animals more, too.”
The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2026 will open for entries on Tuesday 5th May 2026.
Visit the RSPCA website for more details.
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