Spotlighting the IGPOTY Plants & Planet category winners: an interview with Stephen Studd
As part of Penningtons Manches Cooper’s continued sponsorship of the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY), we are proud to spotlight some of the talented photographers featured in this year’s competition. This series explores their inspirations and creative perspectives, offering a deeper insight into the stories behind their images.
In the second interview in this series, we speak with Stephen Studd, who won first place in our sponsored category, Plants & Planet, for his photograph ‘Mangrove Restoration’. Captured in Kep, Cambodia, the image highlights the environmental significance of mangrove restoration projects and their vital role in combating climate change, protecting coastal communities, and supporting both marine and wildlife habitats.
Stephen draws on his long‑standing connection to Cambodia, the stillness of the scene at dawn, and the smaller details of the image, such as the distant fishing boats that depend on mangroves for sustainable livelihoods. He also discusses the influences that have shaped his work as well as the significance of the Plants & Planet theme today, and how photography can strengthen our connection to nature.
What inspired you to capture this image?
“Cambodia is a country I have travelled to regularly since 1999 for photography. In Kep, the mangrove restoration project that has been set up there is vital in the fight against climate change and provides important habitats for marine and wildlife. It also protects coastal communities by acting as a natural barrier against floods and storms.”
What do you hope people notice first when they see your photograph?
“The fresh mangrove saplings growing in the sea and the stillness of the scene at dawn.”
Is there a small detail in the image that people might overlook?
“In the distance, there are fishing boats that rely on mangroves for sustainable fishing. Small‑scale coastal fishing communities have played a crucial role in establishing mangrove restoration projects along the coastline as they depend on these habitats for their livelihoods.”
Describe your photo in three words.
“Environmental, calming, atmospheric.”
Why do you think the Plants & Planet theme matters today?
“The Plants & Planet category of IGPOTY is a really important as it brings together talented photographers from around the world who are highlighting the importance of protecting and cherishing our green planet.”
How do you think photography can help people reconnect with the environment?
“Photography helps people reconnect with the environment by slowing them down and encouraging close, mindful observation of natural details they might otherwise overlook. It fosters emotional connections, making landscapes and ecosystems feel more personal and worth caring for. By capturing and sharing these moments, photography can also raise awareness and inspire a stronger sense of responsibility toward protecting nature.”
Who or what has influenced your photographic style the most?
“I studied photography as a degree, and early on my style was strongly influenced by Bill Brandt. For the first two years, I worked exclusively in black and white, printing my own images. In my final year, I moved into colour photography, inspired heavily by Joel Meyerowitz and his Cape Light series, whose use of light has continued to influence me ever since.”
If you could photograph anywhere on the planet, where would you choose and why?
“I would choose Svalbard in March, when the sun first rises above the horizon again. The light at that time of year is truly unique. I was fortunate to photograph there 11 years ago, and the soft glow across the cold polar landscape was so captivating and mesmerising that I’ve wanted to return ever since.”
Find out more about the competition by visiting the IGPOTY website.