Right. Let’s get into it.

The BIPP has officially named me Team Captain for Team GB at the World Photographic Cup. Not “shortlisted.” Not “in the running.” Captain. It’s official, it’s happened, and I’m not going to pretend I’m being cool about it: I’m buzzing.

But I know most of you reading this have one of two questions: what does this actually mean, and does it mean anything for me. So let’s cover both.

What Is the World Photographic Cup, Actually?

If you’re not deep in the competition world, here’s the short version: the World Photographic Cup (WPC) is the closest thing our industry has to the Olympics. National teams of photographers go head-to-head across categories like portrait, wedding, commercial, landscape, sport, and more, and the results are judged internationally. Countries put their best work forward, a panel scores it, and a winner is crowned. It’s a genuine international stage for photography,  not a pay-to-win awards scheme, not a “everyone’s a winner” certificate mill. Proper competition, proper standards.

Team GB is put forward by the BIPP (the British Institute of Professional Photography) who’ve been representing UK photographers in this competition for years, with a track record that includes top-ten finishes and individual medal wins.

So What Does “Team Captain” Actually Involve?

As Captain, my job is to build and lead Team GB into the next World Photographic Cup cycle. That means:

• Reviewing entries and helping select the photographers and images that will represent the UK
• Making sure the team is genuinely representative of the strength and range of British photography — not just the same names on repeat
• Supporting the team through the process, deadlines, and category requirements
• Being the point of contact between UK photographers and the WPC selection process
• Flying the flag for Team GB at the final results, wherever in the world that ends up being

Ex-military, remember so if you’re on this team, expect clear communication, real deadlines, and zero guesswork about what’s expected of you. No gatekeeping, no vague “just submit your best work and hope.” You’ll know exactly where you stand.

What’s Coming — The Timeline

Here’s what you need to know if you’re following this or thinking about entering:

The 2027 World Photographic Cup edition is open now.
Entries close 29 October 2026. This is a hard stop, no extensions, so don’t sit on your best images.
Team GB entries go through the national selection process, that’s me reviewing submissions and pulling together the strongest possible squad across categories.
The final results and awards will be celebrated in April 2027 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, alongside the Canadian Imaging Conference & Expo.

Between now and then, expect updates from me on progress, deadlines, and  because I’m not going to sit on this quietly probably a fair bit of noise on the podcast and YouTube channel too.

What You Need to Do If You Want to Be Considered for Team GB

This is the bit people always overcomplicate, so let’s strip it back:

You don’t need to be a BIPP superstar already. Selection is about the work, not the CV.
Get your images in front of the selection process. That happens through BIPP’s competitions and awards platform — entering the monthly competition and relevant BIPP awards is how your work gets visibility ahead of team selection.
Submit your genuine best work, not what you think judges “want to see.” Categories span commercial, portrait, wedding, landscape, reportage, sport and more, enter where your strongest images actually sit.
There’s no cost to be considered, and you can submit to multiple categories.
Being submitted doesn’t guarantee selection. I’ll be reviewing everything and reaching out directly to anyone I want on the squad.

If you’re a UK photographer and you’ve got a body of work you’re proud of, I want to see it. This isn’t a closed shop.

What You Can Expect From Me Over This Cycle

I’m not going to disappear into a BIPP committee room and go quiet. Expect:

Honest updates on the selection process: the wins, the tough calls, all of it
Behind-the-scenes content on what actually goes into building a national team
Straight-talking advice for anyone wanting to put their name forward
Coverage across this blog, The Loud Lens podcast, and the YouTube channel as we go

This is a genuinely big deal for me and for British photography, and I want you along for it — not watching from the outside.

FAQ

What is the World Photographic Cup? An international photography competition where national teams compete across multiple categories, judged to a professional standard. It’s often described as the Olympics of photography.

Who selects Team GB for the World Photographic Cup? The British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) puts forward Team GB. As Team Captain, Khandie Rees leads the selection process for the 2027 cycle.

How do I enter or get considered for Team GB? UK-based photographers can put their work forward through BIPP’s competitions and awards platform ahead of the selection deadline. There’s no cost to enter, and BIPP membership is not always required depending on the competition.

When does the 2027 World Photographic Cup take place? Entries close 29 October 2026. Final results and the awards celebration take place in April 2027 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Do I need to be a BIPP member to be considered? Not necessarily for every route in — but BIPP membership gives you more visibility across the competitions that feed into team selection. Check current BIPP entry terms for the specific competition you’re entering.

Got questions about the selection process or want your work seen? Get in touch — I read everything.