RPS Distinctions
Celebrating Our Members’ RPS Distinction Success
We’re proud to shine a light on the incredible talent within the RPS Women in Photography community. This gallery celebrates members who have achieved an RPS Distinction — from the first steps of an LRPS, to the creative mastery of an ARPS, and the highest honour of an FRPS. Each panel tells a personal story of dedication, creativity, and passion for photography.
We hope you enjoy exploring these achievements and feel inspired by the journeys behind them.
Carol Olerud FRPS
Contemporary Fellowship
My approach to this body of work was to go in and photograph everything I could at every visit in the hospital, as I really believed my father would recover. I wanted to show him the photos so he would know how it was. Sadly as time went on, I began to accept that it may not end well. So the photos became even more important to me and my family.
I appreciate that this may be upsetting to some viewers, so if you would like to talk about it, please do. I am also happy to talk about it with you.
Jayne Odell FRPS
Documentary Fellowship
Jayne Odell sees the world best in black and white. Her work, widely published and exhibited, has earned her two Fellowships from The Royal Photographic Society in Documentary and Applied Photography—an honour held by fewer than 600 photographers worldwide. Funded by Arts Council England, Jayne's exhibition Time & Motion: Capturing the Lifeblood of a Racing Yard is now part of the National Horse Racing Museum’s permanent collection. Jayne is also an RPS Distinctions Panel Assessor, One2One Advisor, and active member of the Women in Photography and Documentary groups, as well as a regular judge and speaker across the UK.
Mandy Davies ARPS
Mandy Davies ARPS gained her Associate Distinction with a body of work that portrays Venice in monochrome, focusing on its authentic streets and timeless atmosphere.
Share Your RPS Distinction
The RPS Women in Photography Distinction Gallery celebrates the creativity and dedication of our members who have achieved LRPS, ARPS, or FRPS awards.
What to Send
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Your image set
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LRPS: 10 images
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ARPS: 15 images
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FRPS: 20 (or 21) images
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Hanging Plan
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Statement of Intent – required for ARPS and FRPS
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A short note about your process or approach
Image Specifications
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Maximum file size: 2 MB per image
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Image dimensions: 1200 px on the longest side
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No watermarks or visible copyright marks
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All images should be numbered 01–20 to match your hanging plan.
How to Send
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Go to WeTransfer.com (or similar)
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Send your files to wipchair@rps.org
We’d love to include your panel and share your success with our community.
Allie Crewe ARPS
An award-winning British portrait photographer, twice a BJP Portrait of Britain winner (2019, 2023). Her work explores subjects from domestic violence to the transgender community. She has held residencies, received commissions, and gained her RPS Associate distinction via the Exemptions route.
Lou Sayers LRPS
A landscape and nature photographer based in the remote Cévennes, southern France, whose Licentiate Distinction reflects both her technical breadth and cohesive panel, achieved with confidence following tailored RPS mentorship.
Karen Brickley ARPS
The Surrey, UK-based photographer shares her experience of applying for — and receiving — the Licentiate and Associate distinctions with her outdoor and abstract work.
Start your distinctions journey today
Licentiate, is the first level of Distinction within the RPS carrying the postnominals LRPS. It is demanding but achievable for most photographers.
Become a member
If you are not an RPS Women in Photography group member, we invite you to join our community of passionate photographers. By becoming a member, you can participate in exciting competitions, gain exposure through features in our prestigious WE ARE Magazine, and enjoy numerous other exclusive benefits. We extend a warm welcome to photographers of all backgrounds and experience levels.