Jack wins Gold AOP Emerging Talent Award
A former Edinburgh College photography student has been recognised for his outstanding work after winning the Gold Award at the prestigious Association of Photographers Emerging Talent Awards 2025, with a little bit of help from his granny.
23-year-old Jack Currie graduated from the College in November 2024 after completing the BA (Hons) course in Professional Photography, before moving on to a career as a freelance advertising photographer. Jack’s work is often inspired by quirky concepts, and it was his picture, “Gangster Granny”, featuring his late grandmother Margaret, that saw him scoop the top prize at the AOP’s annual awards.
Part of a series of digitally altered photographs showing his gran engaging in a range of “dangerous activities”, the striking image, which has already gained considerable attention and has been covered in the likes of The Guardian and Digital Camera World, sees Margaret on a skateboard grinding down a rail.
Jack, who used Photoshop and body doubles to bring the concept to life, says the reality of winning the award is still setting in:
“Winning the AOP Emerging Talent Award was something I once only dreamed of. From applying, to being shortlisted, to becoming a finalist, all the way to the awards night itself, I genuinely didn’t think I was going to win.
“I used my own granny for the photo, and she sadly passed away only the week before we won the award. She was thrilled to hear I was a finalist and had every confidence we would win. I guess she was right.”
Jack’s career has followed an impressive trajectory since his graduation, working with companies including Nike, Lidl, Timberland and Birkenstock. He now splits his time working between London and Edinburgh and recently did a photo-shoot with Piers Morgan for a front-page splash on the Telegraph Magazine.
He’s encouraging other budding photographers to consider studying at Edinburgh College, saying it’s the perfect place to learn the craft:
“My experience was genuinely amazing. I applied for three places when looking into photography courses, and Edinburgh College by far had the best facilities.
“For me, it didn’t feel like studying; it felt like perfecting my craft, practising, getting critiqued and building my portfolio. With all the lecturers being ex photographers, their insight into how the industry works was huge. Hearing how they did it and seeing what they achieved was a massive motivation boost.
“While still studying, I worked with clients like Schuh, Size?, and Graham’s Dairy. In my second year I flew to New York to collect awards for work I had shot for college briefs. And just before I graduated, I signed with a London based agent who still represents me today. There is no way I would have taken the steps I did without the guidance of the lecturers. Their support and their critique shaped me into the photographer I am today.”
Jon Lee, Jack’s former lecturer and course leader for photography at Edinburgh College, isn’t surprised to see his old student picking up the prize:
"I'd like to congratulate Jack on his recent award, it's well-deserved recognition for someone we always knew would go on to experience great success. We wish him all the best for his future career, and I'm sure everyone at the College will be keeping a close eye on his work".
Despite winning such a notable award, Jack has no plans to slow down anytime soon, and has dreams of seeing his work featured in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. You can keep up to date with Jack on his website.