Portrait of Britain winner given confidence boost

The winning portrait was part of Niamh's final university exhibition

A Devon woman who won a Portrait of Britain prize has said the achievement has given her the confidence to continue pursuing her passion.

Former Falmouth University student Niamh Shergold won the award with her portrait of Maria and Connie as part of her final exhibition project called Lost and Found.

The 21-year-old said the winning portrait, taken in the Cornish town, was being displayed on screens at airports and train stations across the UK.

She said: "It's just given me the confidence that I can to continue pursuing it and it can get me places in the future."

The portrait of Maria and Connie was part of Ms Shergold's university project

• Listen: Niamh Shergold wins at this year's Portrait of Britain Awards

The former photography student received the news that she had won in November 2024, four months after graduating.

She was shortlisted as one of 200 photographers who were published in volume seven of the Portrait of Britain book.

"I am now on digital screens across the whole of the UK, which is very cool," she said.

"That can be on any public transport places, so bus shelters, at train stations, airports even and shopping malls."

'Always loved it'

The focus of her photography project was to explore "human connections".

"It's about connections, relationships," she said.

"People that I found really interesting, I just approached them and asked if they wanted to be photographed."

Ms Shergold said she always "had an eye" for photography and followed her passion.

"It definitely took time to grasp and getter better at what I do," she said.

"Only in the last few years I've felt proud of the images I'm producing.

"I've always loved it."