A Macclesfield photography studio has announced the winners of a recent contest.

Rolph & Co., established in 2018 by business and life partners Jenni and Gavin Rolph, launched a photography contest earlier in the summer.

The competition was aimed at children, to get them to engage in the medium, and indeed our town centre.

The Photo Trail encouraged children to go and take photos in these seven spots across Macclesfield town centre. (Image - Rolph & Co / Macclesfield Town Council)

The Back Wallgate photographers are keen to champion both the arts, and our high street, being prominent committee members of community interest company Totally Locally Macclesfield.

The contest ran for the whole summer holidays in association with Macclesfield Town Council.

And now, the three winners of the youth photography competition has been revealed.

Izaac was the youngest of the three winners. (Image - Izaac)

After rigorous judging, the trio of winners across the categories are as follows:

• 6 and Under - Izaac, who took stunning shots of the Market Place phone boxes, the floor at The Picturedrome, among others
• 7-11 - Indy, who took shots of a flower thriving in the foreground and the Ian Curtis mural in a soft focus background, along with a smiley nature scene, plus five other pics
• 12-16 - Albert, who took a cutesy shot which showed the topsy-turvy nature of Church Street down the iconic cobbles, and a tranquil photo in Sparrow Park as well as five others

Albert's shot of The Picturedrome on Chestergate, which will turn five years old next month. (Image - Albert)

Gavin and Jenni Rolph, of Rolph & Co., were full of praise to all who took part and helped make it happen.

"We are delighted to announce the there winners of our Photo Trail," said Gavin.

"We chose seven photo spots across a mile walk, all accessible. 

Indy blending infastructure and nature at Sparrow Park. (Image - Indy)

"The competition was to take a photo at each spot. So each entrant had to take seven photos, and we had about 25 entries.

"The idea was to promote photography as an art form, and get people interested in photography."

"Each entry was judged as a set of seven photos. 

The judging panel included the Mayoress Susan Livingstone, and a local photography student.

"Judging got really serious! It felt grown up and a bit mean at times judging children's work like that.

"But the quality was so high, we had to be brutal." 

The three winners received cakes from Macclesfield's Dolly Daydream Bakery.

Indy's photo on Back Wallgate, coincidentally, where Rolph & Co is located. (Image - Indy)

They all also received a voucher for the photography studio, which specialists in pet and family portraits.

And the overall winner, Indy, received a digital camera.

"Congratulations to Indy who has won a Campsnap Digital Camera, added Gavin.

Overall winner Indy's captivating photo of the Ian Curtis Mural. (Image - Indy)

"The beauty of it is, it looks like a film camera, but is screenless. You don't see what you have taken until afterwards, which makes photography more fun."

Jenni "It was great to visually see that the children are interested in photography," said Jenni.

"I feel [generally] you don't see kids walking around taking pictures anymore. 

Indy's snap of the Heritage Centre, Roe Street. (Image - Indy)

"The judging process was such a positive experience."

It is a great time to be a creative in Macclesfield, with national recognition for artists and more street murals than ever before.

20 years on from Macclesfield's branding by The Times newspaper as the 'most uncultured' area in Britain, the arts continues to thrive despite cuts at a national level and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Flowers at Christ Church, Bridge Street. (Image - Indy)

"The quality of the entries we received were incredible," Gavin explained.

"Everyone put a lot of effort in, which was the whole point. We had some amazing entries. 

"A lot of people were thanking us for doing it, which was really nice. We just organised the competition! I don't think it was what we expected. 

Indy has an eye for architecture at The Picturedrome. (Image - Indy)

"The amount of enthusiasm was really wonderful. 

"Macclesfield is an incredibly arty town, and it is not really utilised enough. 

"We have some incredible artists here. 

Congratulations Indy on being the overall winner! (Image - Indy)

"If we turn into more of an arty town, everyone benefits." 

And while the contest may be over, the impact of it is not.

"We are thinking about starting a free monthly photography club for teenagers," teased Jenni.

Rolph & Co is part of Macclesfield's Castle Quarter. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"Keep an eye out on our social media for more information on that. Thank you again to everyone who entered our Photo Trail."

The contest and potential teen photography club is not the only new thing in the world of Rolph & Co..

The shopfront has had a repaint, and new signage has been put up. The soft rebrand and implementation of the new frontage came to be with the help of a glow up grant from Macclesfield Town Council.

Rolph and Co. are photographers themselves. Their most popular services are family and dog photos. (Image - Rolph and Co.)

Jenni and Gavin, who live in Lyme Green, can be read about in this previous Nub News article HERE.

Macclesfield: You can also find more about Rolph & Co on their website, Facebook and Instagram.