Getty Images’ Julian Finney claims his first SJA Canon Photographer of the Year crown; Finney also successful in Canon Portfolio category; stablemate Carl Recine wins Football Portfolio and News Picture; veteran photographer Bob Martin wins Doug Gardner Award; Jacques Feeney takes Picture of the Year…
By the SJA
Julian Finney is celebrating the first Ed Lacey Trophy win of his career, after being named Canon SJA Photographer of the Year at the British Sports Journalism Awards.
Finney, who has worked for Getty Images for over 20 years, has won multiple honours in the industry but had never previously got his hands on a “Lacey” before Monday night’s gala at the London Palladium.
For a photographer who is based in the capital, it was a memorable venue in which to break one’s duck, and it was one of two visits Finney made to the stage as he also secured the Canon Portfolio prize for the second time.
For that category, the judges described his entry of 10 images as “rich in variety and quality”. The collection featured athletes including Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh, England Rugby World Cup star Ellie Kildunne, and Austrian downhill skier Mirjam Puchner.
The judges added that Finney’s winning portfolio “showcased an exceptional ability to plan, prepare and react, delivering a compelling body of work across a wide range of sports.
“It offers something for everyone, while demonstrating the photographer’s outstanding versatility and technical excellence.”
Finney also won bronze in the Picture category, and he was shortlisted in three more – Football Portfolio, Specialist Portfolio, and News Picture.
The veteran photographer Bob Martin was celebrated with the SJA Doug Gardner Award for his outstanding contribution to sports journalism.
Martin, a three-time Sports Photographer of the Year recipient, is a legend in his field, having covered multiple editions of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games over the last 40 years. He was the Photo Chief at London 2012.
Simon Bruty, his friend and long-time colleague, said: “Bob is that rare breed of photographer who can take a brilliant action image, take a beautiful portrait, and manage a complicated photo operation with amazing ease and grace.
“His grasp of technology and its impact on photography is impressive, and his ability to advocate for photographers has endeared him to sports photographers worldwide.”
Two trophies for Recine, while Whitehead and Feeney also triumph
For the second time in five years, Carl Recine of Getty Images is the champion in the Football Portfolio category, collecting the Matthew Ashton Trophy.
The judges described the snapper from Staffordshire as “a truly deserving winner”, adding: “In a fiercely competitive category, this portfolio stood out for its superb range of action and emotion, both on and off the pitch.
“Each image is thoughtfully composed, combining to tell powerful and engaging stories within the game.”
One of the images in Recine’s entry was the trophy lift from the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, when U.S. President Donald Trump chose to remain on the podium with Reece James and the victorious Chelsea players.
This shot also earned Recine the News Picture Award for the outstanding single picture that best illustrated a sports news story in 2025.
“The jury was unanimous in selecting an image that perfectly captured a moment where sport and politics intersected,” said the judges.
“It is a photograph that not only documents an event, but encapsulates a wider conversation in a single, striking frame.”
The Phil Sheldon Trophy for Specialist Portfolio went to Alex Whitehead of SWpix.
Renowned in the world of cycling for superbly capturing the sport’s thrills and spills, the judges praised his entry’s “outstanding quality, breadth of skill, and deep, authoritative understanding of its subject.”
An unforgettable image taken in last season’s FA Cup fifth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall secured freelancer Jacques Feeney the coveted Picture of the Year Award.
Visiting goalkeeper Liam Roberts was shown a red card and ended up with a six-game ban for his dangerous tackle on Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta early on at Selhurst Park. Roberts was effusive in his apology after the match, and Mateta made a full recovery.
The judges said Feeney’s photo for Offside Sports Photography was “a moment of real impact, captured with precision and timing… It is a powerful reminder of the unique ability of still photography to freeze a defining instant in time.”
Earlier in April, freelancer Annabel Lee-Ellis was named the winner of the Canon Young Sports Photographer of the Year Award, and she also collected her prize at the gala evening at the Palladium on Monday night.
View all the images in every shortlisted portfolio and category here, and read more about the shortlists.
CANON SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR (Ed Lacey Trophy)
Winner: Julian Finney – Getty Images
DOUG GARDNER AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO SPORTS JOURNALISM
Winner: Bob Martin
CANON PORTFOLIO
Adrian Dennis – AFP; Alex Pantling – Getty Images; George Wood – Getty Images; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Michael Steele – Getty Images
Bronze: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Silver: Alex Pantling – Getty Images, and Michael Steele – Getty Images; Winner: Julian Finney – Getty Images
FOOTBALL PORTFOLIO (MATTHEW ASHTON TROPHY)
Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Chloe Knott – Tottenham Hotspur Football Club; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Justin Setterfield – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters
Bronze: Justin Setterfield – Getty Images, and Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Silver: Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Winner: Carl Recine – Getty Images
SPECIALIST PORTFOLIO (PHIL SHELDON TROPHY)
Adrian Dennis – AFP; Alex Whitehead – SWpix; David Davies – PA Media; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Richard Heathcote – Getty Images
Bronze: David Davies – PA Media; Silver: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Winner: Alex Whitehead – SWpix
NEWS PICTURE
Carl Recine – Getty Images; Catherine Ivill – AMA Sports Photo; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Richard Heathcote – Getty Images; Ryan Pierse – Getty Images
Bronze: Catherine Ivill – AMA Sports Photo; Silver: Lee Smith – Action Images Reuters; Winner: Carl Recine – Getty Images
PICTURE
Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Alex Pantling – Getty Images; Andrew Boyers – Action Images Reuters; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Carl Recine – Getty Images; Hannah McKay – Reuters; Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Julian Finney – Getty Images; Michael Steele – Getty Images; Richard Pelham – Getty Images
Bronze: Julian Finney – Getty Images; Silver: Hannah McKay – Reuters; Winner: Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography
CANON YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER
Annabel Lee-Ellis – Freelance; George Marriott – Freelance; George Wood – Getty Images; Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Lexy Ilsley – Manchester City Football Club; Will Cooper – Will.T.Photography
Bronze: George Wood – Getty Images; Silver: Jacques Feeney – Offside Sports Photography; Winner: Annabel Lee-Ellis – Freelance
Not yet an SJA member? Join the Association for the annual membership fee of £30. Full info here.
The SJA is interested in your sports media industry news and views. Keen to reach an engaged audience, including over 70,000 followers across social media? We welcome your enquiries – contact us here. We also offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities.