‘Rutting call’ by Jamie Smart, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025, 10 and Under category
By the time Jamie Smart joined the ranks of the RPS Journal’s annual Young Photographers to Watch in 2025, she was already used to winning top photography competitions.
That same year she came first in the 10 and Under category of Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPotY), was named Overall Winner in Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025, and more. A particular highlight was seeing her work in the WPotY exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London.
The accolades just keep coming for Jamie, now aged 11, who began taking photographs when she was six after her father lent her his camera.
We catch up with the image-maker also known as Eagle Eyed Girl as we publish our 2026 Young Photographers to Watch in the October-December 2026 issue of the RPS Journal.
From the series Caped Crusaders by Jamie Smart, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025, Overall Young Winner
You’ve achieved some great things since we last spoke. How has that felt?
Seeing my images in the Natural History Museum gallery was a real buzz. I wrote a poem to recite as my acceptance speech and the audience gave me a standing ovation which was incredible.
I have been giving presentations to adults and young audiences talking about my life so far and have thoroughly enjoyed inspiring the younger generation through my passion for wildlife and nature. I also won Young Travel Photographer of the Year, British Wildlife Photography Awards (Under 11) and the Crikey! Magazine Photography Awards 2025, along with having my very first gallery in the National Botanical Gardens of Wales. I also made the Sunday Times 30 Under 30 Young Power List. What an honour and totally unexpected.
‘Morning hopper’ by Jamie Smart, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025, 10 and Under category
Have you managed to photograph any new species?
In January I had the pleasure of going to Scotland with the Nikon team and a film crew to create a short piece about me photographing white-tailed eagles in the wild. What a fabulous experience we all had. I got to see not only the white-tailed eagles but also crested tits and snow buntings and snow hares too. So I have managed to tick these off my bucket list now, but I still would go back any day to see them again.
‘Stripey jumper’ by Jamie Smart, Crikey! Magazine Photography Awards 2025, Under 10s category
Has your approach to photography changed?
Not really. It’s still all about the animal or creature I’m photographing. The more I learn and practise my skills, the better images I can get and the more I can portray these wonderful creatures in the way they deserve. I am still all about trying to help people see the beauty and wonder of wildlife through my photography and presentations.
From the series Caped Crusaders by Jamie Smart, Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2025, Overall Young Winner
Discover more Young Photographers to Watch in the October-December 2026 issue of the RPS Journal.
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