WE ARE Magazine receives international recognition
We’re delighted to share that the April 2026 issue of WE ARE, the magazine of the RPS Women in Photography Group, has received an Honourable Mention in the 2026 International Photography Awards (IPA).
Created by a dedicated team of WIP volunteers, WE ARE showcases the photography, projects, experiences and voices of our members. The 248-page April issue was recognised in the Professional, Book – Self-Published category — a wonderful achievement for everyone involved.
The issue brings together women photographers at different stages of their photographic journeys, from students and emerging photographers to established professionals, encompassing fine art, documentary, portraiture and more.
Among its stories is the RPS Women in Photography 40% Project, documenting women MPs following the 2024 General Election, alongside explorations of historic events, environmental jeopardy and the weight of illness. The issue also celebrates identity and the rediscovery of self, while reflecting on some of the realities of being a photographer, including financial precarity.
Since its first issue in 2021, WE ARE has continued to grow in ambition, scope and reach, thanks to the extraordinary range of photography and stories shared by our members.
This recognition belongs to our volunteer editorial team and every photographer and contributor whose work made the April 2026 issue possible.
Congratulations to everyone involved!
Behind WE ARE: meet the volunteer team
It takes a lot to make a magazine like WE ARE come to life. It’s made possible by the dedication, vision, and sharp eyes of an all-volunteer team working over four months from beginning to end.
As we celebrate our honourable mention at the International Photography Awards, we’d like to highlight the people behind the pages and the vital work they do to bring these stories to life. Here are all the volunteers who worked on the awarded April 2026 issue:
Editor — Rachel Nixon @rachelnixon: Steers the overall editorial vision, selecting featured work from contributors and liaising with them every step of the way, and guiding each issue from start to finish.
Designer — Liz Benjamin @lizbenphoto: Transforms text and imagery into beautiful and impactful visual layouts, shaping the aesthetic and flow of the entire issue.
Contributing Editor — Frankie MacEachen @boldfrankphotography: Interviews our contributors for key profiles and refines our collaborative pieces.
Copy Editors — Miranda Gavin @miranda_gavin & Victoria Medina @vic.toria.me: Work one-on-one with our feature contributors to shape their stories, ensuring every piece speaks clearly to our readers and showcases their work in its best light. (They’re joined in the forthcoming issue by Sarah Chandy @sarah.chandy_photography)
Proofreaders — Isabelle Desgranges @backinafewblog, Dr Jane Robb, & Victoria Robb: Our final eyes on the magazine, scrutinising every detail, caption, and page for total precision before we press publish.
Thank you all for your talent and commitment.
Read the award-winning April 2026 issue of WE ARE Magazine →
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