National spotlight for North East photographer’s dancer portrait
Christopher Owens' photograph is one of just 57 from a field of nearly 6,000 entries to secure a coveted spot in the National Portrait Gallery's prestigious Taylor Wessing exhibition
A striking portrait of an 11-year-old ballroom dancer from Newcastle will be displayed in one of the world’s most respected photography exhibitions.
Christopher Owens, a Newcastle upon Tyne-based photographer, will see his image of young dancer Abe exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London as part of the world-famous Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2025.
The annual competition, widely regarded as the gold standard for contemporary portrait photography, attracts submissions from across the world, showcasing everyone from gifted amateurs to celebrated professionals.
This year, Christopher’s image was selected from 5,910 entries submitted by photographers from 51 countries - placing him in the top one per cent of entrants.
His chosen portrait depicts Abe in a rare moment of stillness, gazing from the window of a Newcastle dance studio over the city’s West End.
For Abe, who has been dancing since early childhood, the recognition means more than a personal achievement. “Never ever did I think the National Portrait Gallery would have a picture of me in it,” he said.
“It’s exciting because it proves boys can dance and we don’t all have to play football like the stereotype. It’s good for that to be recognised!”
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize celebrates diverse approaches to portraiture, from traditional studio compositions to intimate, unposed moments. The 2025 exhibition will feature just 57 portraits - many being shown publicly for the first time - each telling its own compelling story of subject and photographer.
“It’s a huge honour to have my work recognised by the judges and to be included in the exhibition,” Christopher said.
“The prize and exhibition are one of – if not the most – respected and prestigious collections of contemporary photographic portraiture and to be amongst that is hugely exciting.”
Christopher’s success is the latest milestone in a two-decade career behind the lens.
After studying photography at Newcastle College, he moved to London to assist acclaimed portrait photographer Harry Borden. Returning to the North East, he built a flourishing career photographing prominent political figures, elite athletes, and a vast range of subjects for The Guardian, The Financial Times, The Times, and numerous commercial and charity clients.
For Christopher, this most recent accolade is also a chance to champion the creative potential of the North East.
“The North East is such a fantastic place to practice as a creative, and it’s important that practitioners from areas outside of the traditionally recognised creative hubs are acknowledged in competitions and exhibitions like this,” he explained.
“There are great strides that have been made in recent years, but still much work to do to recognise that places like the North East have fantastic talent in creative industries, which are on par with elsewhere nationally and globally.”
The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition will run at the National Portrait Gallery from November 13 to February 8, 2026, with organisers expecting over 35,000 visitors to the display.