British Journal of Photography
A long-running British photography magazine covering photographic art, practitioners, culture, technology, and the professional image-making sector.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The British Journal of Photography (BJP) is a United Kingdom-based photography publication with roots reaching back to 1854. Established in Liverpool as the Liverpool Photographic Journal, it began as a periodical for the emerging photographic community and later developed into one of Britain’s longest-running specialist photography titles. Its early coverage was associated with the technical, scientific, and practical concerns of nineteenth-century photography, a period in which photographic processes, equipment, studio practices, and professional networks were changing rapidly. The title changed names several times during its first years. It became the Liverpool and Manchester Photographic Journal in 1857, adopted the shorter name Photographic Journal between 1859 and 1860, and then acquired the British Journal of Photography name that it retains today. The publication moved from Liverpool to London in 1864, strengthening its connection with the capital’s photographic, publishing, artistic, and commercial communities. Over time, BJP expanded beyond technical reporting to include criticism, interviews, profiles, visual essays, industry analysis, and reviews of photographic technologies and practices. For much of its history, the magazine appeared weekly. That schedule continued until March 2010, when BJP returned to a monthly frequency. The change reflected a broader transformation in specialist publishing as photographic discussion moved across print, websites, digital editions, and mobile platforms. The publication is now distributed through print and electronic formats, including online and tablet and smartphone editions, allowing it to serve both a traditional magazine readership and a global digital audience. BJP’s editorial scope encompasses established photographers, emerging artists, documentary and fine-art practices, portraiture, photographic books, visual culture, and the technical development of cameras and related tools. Its role is not limited to reporting on photography: through competitions, exhibitions, and editorial discovery programs, it also functions as a platform for photographers seeking professional visibility. Initiatives associated with the title include Female in Focus, the International Photography Award, Breakthrough for students and recent graduates, and Portrait of Britain, a national portrait competition launched in 2016. The publication’s corporate ownership changed in the twenty-first century. In 2013, Incisive Media sold BJP to its publishing director, who established Apptitude Media. Apptitude Media was rebranded as 1854 Media in 2017. The magazine subsequently operated within a broader media and awards structure built around photography and visual culture. In 2022, Marc Hartog left his positions as owner, chief executive, and chairman of 1854 Media, and Creative Director Mick Moore became chief executive. Izabela Radwanska Zhang became editor-in-chief in December 2020 and is identified in the reference material as continuing in that role. BJP has also changed offices as its London operations evolved: after moving to London in the nineteenth century, it was associated with Covent Garden, moved to Soho in 2007, Shoreditch in 2013, and East India Dock in 2017. The brand remains an active specialist photography publication, combining magazine journalism, online publishing, awards, exhibitions, and opportunities for photographers.
History
The British Journal of Photography began in Liverpool in 1854 under the name Liverpool Photographic Journal. Its first issue appeared on 14 January 1854, placing the title among the earliest specialist photography periodicals in the United Kingdom. The publication emerged during a formative period when photography was developing both as a technical discipline and as a professional and artistic practice. Its early remit therefore encompassed the processes, equipment, methods, and community institutions that supported photography. The title underwent several changes during its first decade. In 1857 it became the Liverpool and Manchester Photographic Journal and shifted from monthly publication to a more frequent schedule. It was known as the Photographic Journal from 1859 to 1860, before adopting the British Journal of Photography title. The changes reflected both the publication’s expanding geographic ambition and the development of photography as a national field rather than a strictly local activity. In 1864 the magazine moved to London. Its London presence connected it with the capital’s photographic studios, manufacturers, societies, publishers, galleries, and artistic institutions. For much of its subsequent history the magazine was issued weekly, making it a regular source of information for practitioners and enthusiasts. The editor-in-chief role passed through a long succession of journalists and photographic specialists, including George Shadbolt, J. Traill Taylor, W. B. Bolton, Arthur James Dalladay, Geoffrey Crawley, Chris Dickie, Reuel Golden, John Tarrant, and Simon Bainbridge. The character of the magazine broadened as photography changed. Alongside technical and equipment reporting, BJP developed coverage of photographic artists, documentary work, portraiture, visual culture, publishing, and professional practice. The title became a forum for both established and emerging photographers, combining editorial features with reviews, analysis, interviews, and visual portfolios. The publication schedule changed significantly in March 2010, when BJP ended its long-running weekly frequency and returned to a monthly format. It also expanded into electronic publishing, with online delivery and editions designed for mobile devices including iPad and iPhone. These changes placed the historic print title within a contemporary multi-platform publishing model. Corporate ownership changed in 2013 when Incisive Media sold the magazine to its publishing director. The new owner formed Apptitude Media, which operated the title until the company was rebranded as 1854 Media in 2017. The magazine consequently became part of a wider photography-focused media operation incorporating editorial publishing, competitions, awards, exhibitions, and talent-development activities. BJP’s London offices moved over time from Covent Garden to Soho in 2007, Shoreditch in 2013, and East India Dock in 2017. These moves marked changes in its operating base but not a departure from London as the publication’s principal home. The brand’s current public role extends beyond magazine journalism. Female in Focus highlights women working in photography; the International Photography Award is intended to identify and promote contemporary photographic talent; Breakthrough supports students and recent graduates; and Portrait of Britain, launched in 2016, presents a selection of portraits representing the diversity of people in Britain through public digital displays. These programs reinforce BJP’s role as an intermediary between photographers, audiences, cultural institutions, and the professional image-making world. In December 2020, Izabela Radwanska Zhang became editor-in-chief. In 2022, Marc Hartog left his positions as owner, chief executive, and chairman of 1854 Media, and Creative Director Mick Moore became chief executive. The British Journal of Photography remains an active specialist publication, combining its historical magazine identity with digital editorial work, awards, exhibitions, and opportunities for photographic discovery.
- 2022
Mick Moore becomes chief executive of 1854 Media
[1]Marc Hartog left the owner, CEO, and chairman roles, and Creative Director Mick Moore became CEO.
- 2020
Izabela Radwanska Zhang becomes editor-in-chief
[1]Zhang took over as editor-in-chief in December 2020.
- 2017
Apptitude Media becomes 1854 Media
[1]The company operating BJP adopted the 1854 Media name and moved the magazine’s London base to East India Dock.
- 2016
Portrait of Britain launches
[1]BJP launched an annual portrait competition focused on the diversity of people in Britain.
- 2013
Ownership changes and the London office moves to Shoreditch
[1]Incisive Media sold the title to its publishing director, who created Apptitude Media; the publication also moved its London office to Shoreditch.
- 2010
Publication frequency returns to monthly
[1]After many decades as a weekly publication, BJP returned to a monthly schedule in March.
- 2007
London office moves to Soho
[1]The magazine moved its London base from Covent Garden to Soho.
- 1864
The magazine moves to London
[1]The publication relocated from Liverpool to London, where it established its long-term operating base.
- 1860
The British Journal of Photography name is adopted
[1]The magazine took the title that remains its modern identity.
- 1859
The title becomes Photographic Journal
[1]The publication used the shorter Photographic Journal name from 1859 to 1860.
Products and positioning
A specialist photography publication positioned between professional trade journalism, contemporary photography criticism, visual culture coverage, technology reporting, and talent discovery.
Print magazine · 1860
British Journal of Photography magazine
The core editorial product is a specialist photography magazine that combines in-depth features, photographer profiles, visual essays, criticism, industry analysis, and reviews of photographic technology. Historically issued weekly for much of its life, it returned to a monthly schedule in 2010. Its coverage spans artistic, documentary, commercial, professional, and technical aspects of photography.
Digital publishing
BJP digital editions
BJP extends its magazine publishing through online and electronic editions. The digital offering allows the title’s editorial work to reach readers outside the United Kingdom and adapts the historic publication to contemporary web and mobile consumption, including tablet and smartphone formats.
Photography award · 2019
Female in Focus
Female in Focus is an award and discovery program associated with BJP that highlights women working in photography. It provides selected photographers with editorial attention and a platform for wider recognition. The program’s documented winners include Nancy Newberry, Sarah Pannell, Gwendolyn Keasberry, Charlotte Bergan, Sarah Blais, Fern Berresford, Dimpy Bhalotia, Kasia Trojak, Ana Nance, Carmen Daneshmandi, Yuet Yee Wong, and Nicole Benewaah Gehle.
Photography award
International Photography Award
The International Photography Award is an annual BJP program intended to identify and promote strong contemporary photographic work. The award has been described as offering a combination of exhibition exposure, project support, and coverage through BJP’s print and digital channels. Felicity Hammond and Edgar Martins are among the cited recent winners.
Emerging talent award
Breakthrough
Breakthrough is designed for students and recent graduates, defined in the reference material as people within five years of graduation. It recognizes undergraduate and postgraduate work, and supports the transition from education into professional photographic practice through publication, exhibition, and shortlist exposure.
Portrait photography competition · 2016
Portrait of Britain
Portrait of Britain is an annual portrait competition centered on the diversity of people living in Britain. One hundred selected portraits are displayed on JCDecaux digital screens across the country during September. The initiative combines competition, editorial curation, and public exhibition, bringing photographic work into everyday urban spaces.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020Female in Focus
International
The program continued its focus on recognizing women working across contemporary photographic practice.
Outcome. The documented 2020 winners included Dimpy Bhalotia, Kasia Trojak, Ana Nance, Carmen Daneshmandi, Yuet Yee Wong, and Nicole Benewaah Gehle.
- 2019Female in Focus
International
Female in Focus was used to showcase women photographers and provide a route to editorial and exhibition visibility.
Outcome. The documented 2019 winners included Nancy Newberry, Sarah Pannell, Gwendolyn Keasberry, Charlotte Bergan, Sarah Blais, and Fern Berresford.
- 2016Portrait of Britain
United Kingdom
BJP launched Portrait of Britain as an annual pay-to-enter portrait competition representing the diversity of British people. The winning portraits are presented through JCDecaux digital screens across Britain during September.
Outcome. The program created a recurring nationwide public display for selected portrait photographers and became one of BJP’s identifiable public-facing photography initiatives.
Brand decisions
2022
Leadership transition at 1854 MediaOtherBackground
Marc Hartog had served as owner, chief executive, and chairman of 1854 Media.
Action taken
Hartog left those positions, and BJP Creative Director Mick Moore became chief executive.
Aftermath
The change placed a senior editorial and creative figure in the company’s chief executive role.
2017
Apptitude Media rebrands as 1854 MediaStrategyBackground
Apptitude Media had operated the magazine since the 2013 ownership change.
Action taken
The company adopted the 1854 Media name, referencing the year BJP was established.
Aftermath
The magazine became part of a corporate identity explicitly associated with its historical origin and wider photography activities.
2013
Sale from Incisive Media to Apptitude MediaM&ABackground
Incisive Media owned the publication before selling it to its publishing director.
Action taken
The publishing director formed Apptitude Media to acquire and operate the British Journal of Photography.
Aftermath
The title moved into an independent publishing structure that was later renamed 1854 Media.
2010
Return from weekly to monthly publicationStrategyBackground
BJP had been published weekly since 1864, but changing media consumption and the development of digital publishing altered the economics and rhythm of specialist magazine production.
Action taken
In March 2010, the magazine reverted to its original monthly frequency while continuing to develop electronic, online, and mobile editions.
Aftermath
The change aligned the historic print title with a more feature-led and multi-platform publishing model.
Recent events
- 2022
Mick Moore becomes chief executive of 1854 Media[1]
Leadership change
Marc Hartog left his positions as owner, chief executive and chairman, after which Creative Director Mick Moore took over as chief executive.
- 2020
Izabela Radwanska Zhang becomes editor-in-chief[1]
Leadership change
Izabela Radwanska Zhang assumed the editor-in-chief role in December 2020.
- 2017
Apptitude Media rebrands as 1854 Media[1]
Other
The company operating the magazine adopted the 1854 Media name, linking the corporate identity to the publication’s founding year.
- 2013
Incisive Media sells British Journal of Photography[1]
M&A · Other
The publication was sold by Incisive Media to its publishing director, who established Apptitude Media to operate the title.
Sources2 sources
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