03 Nov 2026
A St Albans photographer has been named Fashion Photographer of the Year 2026 at The British Photography Awards, adding another prestigious accolade to an already impressive 20-year career.
Hannah Couzens won the coveted Judges’ Choice Award in the Fashion category for her image Strength in Simplicity, standing out among more than 14,000 entries submitted for this year’s awards.
The win marks Hannah’s fifth award and celebrates her continued passion for photography, which has seen her work extend far beyond Hertfordshire.
An established international speaker and educator, Hannah works with multiple photography brands, sharing her expertise with photographers around the world. Her international work has taken her to China, the Nordics and across Europe, where she teaches and inspires other photographers.
Despite her international profile, Hannah remains firmly rooted in St Albans, where many locals will remember her photography studio on London Road, which she ran for 10 years. She is now based at Barbone Studios at the top of George Street.
Speaking about her latest achievement, Hannah said: “It is such an honour to receive such a prestigious award. The standard of entries is so high at these awards, it was an honour just to be shortlisted! I never thought for one second I would take home the award!”
The finalists gathered for a gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Sunday evening to celebrate the 2026 awards, a non-profit initiative that recognises outstanding photographic talent, with entrants also making a donation to a charity of their choice.
For Hannah, the recognition is particularly meaningful as she continues to balance her photography career with family life: “I always strive to push myself, regardless of how many years I have been working, but it’s definitely more of a challenge with two small children — although apparently not impossible!”
