CY@CY Says Welcome to my dreamscape. Where a Lim is also a Ling.
12-year-old Sam Kaye has become the youngest ever member of the Royal Photographic Society to gain a distinction for his portfolio of stunning wildlife photos taken while on holiday in South Africa.
Sam Kaye (GEOFF ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY)
Fellows of the world’s oldest photographic society were shocked to discover Sam’s age after they judged his work anonymously and awarded him the top honour for the 11-18 category.
Sam captures this image of a hippo stretching its jaws in a South African lake. Judges of the photos were stunned when they found out Sam's age.
Sam, from Radlett, Hertfordshire, started taking photos when he was six and has already won several prestigious awards. He beat hundreds of photographers from all over the world to become a licentiate of the esteemed society, which means he can now write the letters LRPS – Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society – after his name.
This spectacular close up of a kingfisher was one of the images submitted by Sam Kaye to the Royal Photographic Society who later awarded the 12-year-old a distinction
Commenting on the award, Sam said: ‘I was really surprised to win the award from the RPS, but very pleased. I feel really inspired taking photos and my dream job would be to travel around the world doing wildlife photos.’
He added he aspires to become a professional photographer when he is older.
Sam captures this clash between a lion and lioness during a family holiday to South Africa.
The youngster, a pupil at Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood, has already caught the attention of photography world after getting to the semi-finals in the wildlife photographer of the year competition earlier this year.
He also won the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) young photographer of the year award in 2010 for his amazing close-up of a hoverfly taken on a day out with his photographer mother at the RHS gardens at Wisley in Surrey.
Sam Kaye's photo of a hoverfly
He tells People: “My mum took me to Wisley because she had been teaching me and some friends about photography. I’m really pleased that one of mine was picked as the best.
“I’d like to work as a photographer when I grow up but when I asked my mum she said I couldn’t. Her dad told her she couldn’t but she did and my grandpa’s mum told him that he couldn’t but he did. Photography runs in the family.”
Sam’s mother Su has a studio in Radlett, Herts, and his grandfather Paul Kaye ran a photographic business in London for 30 years.
Sam says: “I was really excited to win especially as they put me in the 11-18 category. I was so shocked when I got the phone call. I couldn’t believe it and had to ask the man again if I had really won.’
Sam captures this photo of a fox preparing to attack its prey.
Among the judging panel was renowned garden photographer Allan Pollock-Morris.
Mother Su said: ‘I’m extremely proud of him. He’s had a camera since he was six and he’s just got better and better. We took a trip to South Africa last year and he got some great shots that I wish I’d taken.’
The Royal Photographic Society’s Stuart Blake added: ‘It is an excellent achievement for someone so young.
‘We have people who are much older apply for the title and do not come anywhere near the standard required.
‘The level of competence needed has increased considerably over the years, so he has done remarkably well.’
The RPS was founded in 1853 and has more than 10,500 members worldwide.
Members can apply for a distinction by submitting ten photos, which are then judged anonymously. Last year only two thirds of those who applied were successful.
Elephant photo by Sam