Pixiq

When Nikon launched the Nikon Foundation last year, it was searching for a young, aspiring professional photographer to whom it could give a leg-up in what can be a cruel and frustrating world. It was offering a three-month stint as photographer’s assistant to the fashion photographer John Wright and £4,000-worth of Nikon gear. Now, it seems as if Nikon has found its rising star: Melissa Jenkins from Bridgend College, Wales.

Even so, it wasn’t an easy process for Melissa. She had to submit a portfolio of images together with a 500-word explanation as to why she was the most deserving person for the prize. Then, she was pitted against nine other finalists, and grilled by a panel of judges on her work, her aspirations, and her ideas to launch and maintain her photographic career.

One image from Melissa's portfolio

The judges were mightily impressed by the overall standard of the entries, but it was Melissa who had what they were looking for, says John Wright: ‘It wasn’t just the high standard of her images but also her appreciation of photography as a business and understanding for the need to promote your work via multiple platforms. I think she will fit well into my team and I hope that I can teach her something valuable.’

Congratulations, Melissa! We’re looking forward to following your rise!