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Photo competition 'reflects heritage and stories'

Portrait of Britain/Nicholas Priest A wrestler with a pink top and pink short hair flexing her muscles and looking to the side. Portrait of Britain/Nicholas Priest
Portrait of Britain/Fabio De Paola Laura Davis pictured in dark green West Midlands Ambulance Service uniform. She is looking at the camera and is wearing a headset and behind her are desks, computers and chairs. Portrait of Britain/Fabio De Paola
Professional wrestler Harley Hudson AKA Hudzilla and Pink Princess was taken by Nicholas Priest. It is among his portraits of wrestlers from Phenomenal Elite Wrestling, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he grew up. "Wrestling has always been fascinating, from the drama, theatre and performance to the athleticism and training," the artist said.
Laura Davis, a call assessor for West Midlands Ambulance Service, was pictured by Fabio De Paola in Dudley. "Early on, I was overwhelmed by this full-throttle kick-off to the day. Now, though, it’s second nature," she said.

The unique heritage and evolving identity of communities is captured in images shortlisted for this year's Portrait of Britain, said organisers.

Photos from across the West Midlands feature among 200 that will appear in the book accompanying British Journal of Photography's seventh annual competition.

They include ambulance service call assessor Laura Davis in Dudley, at the start of a "full-throttle" day she has become used to, foster carer Ena in Wolverhampton and Peter Glazebrook with a prize-winning onion in Malvern.

From the shortlist, 100 will be chosen to be displayed on digital screens in high streets, shopping centres and transport hubs.

All 200 will be published in the Portrait of Britain Vol 7 photo book, printed in partnership with Bluecoat Press and sponsored by JCDecaux.

Organisers said the photographs captured a country which has a "clearly-identifiable culture yet is constantly evolving".

They added: "This edition’s images highlight the UK’s rich heritage, from ancient industries which shaped the nation, such as fishing and mining, to stories that dominated the British news media over the past 12 months such as the Post Office scandal, the cost of living crisis, and the appointment of a new prime minister."

The 100 to be displayed on screens will be announced on 6 January.

Follow for more pictures on Instagram from BBC Birmingham, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire, BBC Hereford & Worcester, BBC Shropshire, BBC Stoke & Staffordshire and BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country.

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