Julian Finney named Canon Sports Photographer of the Year at SJA British Sports Journalism Awards 2025- Sports Journalists’ Association

Getty Images’ Julian Finney claims his first SJA Canon Photographer of the Year crown; Finney additionally profitable in Canon Portfolio class; stablemate Carl Recine wins Football Portfolio and News Picture; veteran photographer Bob Martin wins Doug Gardner Award; Jacques Feeney takes Picture of the Year…

By the SJA

Julian Finney is celebrating the primary Ed Lacey Trophy win of his profession, after being named Canon SJA Photographer of the Year on the British Sports Journalism Awards.

Finney, who has labored for Getty Images for over 20 years, has gained a number of honours within the trade however had by no means beforehand acquired his fingers on a “Lacey” earlier than Monday night time’s gala on the London Palladium.

For a photographer who relies within the capital, it was a memorable venue during which to interrupt one’s duck, and it was one among two visits Finney made to the stage as he additionally secured the Canon Portfolio prize for the second time.

For that class, the judges described his entry of 10 photographs as “rich in variety and quality”. The assortment featured athletes together with Ukrainian excessive jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, England Rugby World Cup star Ellie Kildunne, and Austrian downhill skier Mirjam Puchner.

The judges added that Finney’s successful portfolio “showcased an exceptional ability to plan, prepare and react, delivering a compelling body of work across a wide range of sports.

“It offers something for everyone, while demonstrating the photographer’s outstanding versatility and technical excellence.”

Finney additionally gained bronze within the Picture class, and he was shortlisted in three extra – Football Portfolio, Specialist Portfolio, and News Picture.

The veteran photographer Bob Martin was celebrated with the SJA Doug Gardner Award for his excellent contribution to sports activities journalism.

Martin, a three-time Sports Photographer of the Year recipient, is a legend in his area, having coated a number of editions of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games during the last 40 years. He was the Photo Chief at London 2012.

Simon Bruty, his good friend and long-time colleague, mentioned: “Bob is that rare breed of photographer who can take a brilliant action image, take a beautiful portrait, and manage a complicated photo operation with amazing ease and grace.

“His grasp of technology and its impact on photography is impressive, and his ability to advocate for photographers has endeared him to sports photographers worldwide.”

Two trophies for Recine, whereas Whitehead and Feeney additionally triumph

For the second time in 5 years, Carl Recine of Getty Images is the champion within the Football Portfolio class, amassing the Matthew Ashton Trophy.

The judges described the snapper from Staffordshire as “a truly deserving winner”, including: “In a fiercely competitive category, this portfolio stood out for its superb range of action and emotion, both on and off the pitch.

“Each image is thoughtfully composed, combining to tell powerful and engaging stories within the game.”

One of the pictures in Recine’s entry was the trophy raise from the FIFA Club World Cup last in New Jersey, when U.S. President Donald Trump selected to stay on the rostrum with Reece James and the victorious Chelsea gamers.

This shot additionally earned Recine the News Picture Award for the excellent single image that finest illustrated a sports activities information story in 2025.

“The jury was unanimous in selecting an image that perfectly captured a moment where sport and politics intersected,” mentioned the judges.

“It is a photograph that not only documents an event, but encapsulates a wider conversation in a single, striking frame.”

The Phil Sheldon Trophy for Specialist Portfolio went to Alex Whitehead of SWpix.

Renowned on the earth of biking for fantastically capturing the game’s thrills and spills, the judges praised his entry’s “outstanding quality, breadth of skill, and deep, authoritative understanding of its subject.”

An unforgettable picture taken in final season’s FA Cup fifth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall secured freelancer Jacques Feeney the coveted Picture of the Year Award.

Visiting goalkeeper Liam Roberts was proven a crimson card and ended up with a six-game ban for his harmful deal with on Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta early on at Selhurst Park. Roberts was effusive in his apology after the match, and Mateta made a full restoration.

The judges mentioned Feeney’s picture for Offside Sports Photography was “a moment of real impact, captured with precision and timing… It is a powerful reminder of the unique ability of still photography to freeze a defining instant in time.”

Earlier in April, freelancer Annabel Lee-Ellis was named the winner of the Canon Young Sports Photographer of the Year Award, and he or she additionally collected her prize on the gala night on the Palladium on Monday night time.

View all the images in every shortlisted portfolio and category here, and skim extra in regards to the shortlists.

CANON SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (Ed Lacey Trophy)

Winner: Julian Finney – Getty Images

DOUG GARDNER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SPORTS JOURNALISM

Winner: Bob Martin

CANON PORTFOLIO

Adrian Dennis – AFP; Alex Pantling – Getty Images; George Wood – Getty Images; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Michael Steele – Getty Images

Bronze: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Silver: Alex Pantling – Getty Images, and Michael Steele – Getty Images; Winner: Julian Finney – Getty Images

FOOTBALL PORTFOLIO (MATTHEW ASHTON TROPHY)

Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Chloe Knott – Tottenham Hotspur Football Club; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Justin Setterfield – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters

Bronze: Justin Setterfield – Getty Images, and Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Silver: Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Winner: Carl Recine – Getty Images

SPECIALIST PORTFOLIO (PHIL SHELDON TROPHY)

Adrian Dennis – AFP; Alex Whitehead – SWpix; David Davies – PA Media; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Richard Heathcote – Getty Images

Bronze: David Davies – PA Media; Silver: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Winner: Alex Whitehead – SWpix

NEWS PICTURE

Carl Recine – Getty Images; Catherine Ivill – AMA Sports Photo; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Richard Heathcote – Getty Images; Ryan Pierse – Getty Images

Bronze: Catherine Ivill – AMA Sports Photo; Silver: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Winner: Carl Recine – Getty Images

PICTURE

Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Andrew Boyers – Action Images Reuters; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Hannah McKay – Reuters; Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Michael Steele – Getty Images; Richard Pelham – Getty Images

Bronze: Julian Finney – Getty Images; Silver: Hannah McKay – Reuters; Winner: Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography

CANON YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Annabel Lee-Ellis – Freelance; George Marriott – Freelance; George Wood – Getty Images; Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Lexy Ilsley – Manchester City Football Club; Will Cooper – Will.T.Photography

Bronze: George Wood – Getty Images; Silver: Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Winner: Annabel Lee-Ellis – Freelance

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