Award-Winning Photographer Captures Powerful Image of Youth Suicide Installation

Scott Johnson FSWPP Receives Judges’ Choice Award in September Monthly Image Competition

Master photographer Scott Johnson FSWPP has been honoured with the prestigious Judges’ Choice Award for his captivating and emotional photograph in the September Monthly Image Competition. The competition, which runs year-round, features a wide range of categories covering popular photographic subjects. For the month of September, 540 images were submitted, with 28 photographs receiving a Gold Award and 50 images earning Highly Commended recognition.

Scott’s award-winning image comes with a powerful story of loss, remembrance, and hope.

He shares, “I became aware of this installation through a colleague who took part in assembling it. She spent four nights inflating 6,929 balloons each representing a life lost to youth suicide over the past decade.”

The installation, displayed at Westfield White City for just four days, left a profound impact on Scott. “I knew I had to see it for myself, and when I did, the sight was overwhelming. I hesitated to photograph it at first but realized the importance of capturing and sharing its message. If this installation can help save even one life, then it is undeniably worthwhile.”

Scott captured the now-iconic image from the second floor of the venue, depicting a lone man contemplating the sea of balloons. He recalls, “It was one of the most powerful photographs I’ve ever created.“

For more information about the Monthly Image Competition and to view all the Gold Award and Highly Commended results, please visit: The Societies Competition Results.