Suffolk student's photography business earns national recognition
Chloe Jenkins, who turned her passion for photography into a business at just 16, is in the running for a national entrepreneurship award.
Why it matters: Chloe, a first-year BA (Hons) Photography and Visual Media student at the University of Suffolk, has been shortlisted for the Entrepreneur of the Year prize at the UK Small Business Awards 2026.
The details: Chloe, from Colchester, set up Chloe's Photography in 2022. She now specialises in photographing weddings and festivals.
"Being shortlisted for Young Entrepreneur of the Year is an incredible honour and something I'm immensely proud of," she said.
"When I started my business, I never imagined that I would one day be recognised in this way. It's a proud milestone that reflects years of hard work, support from those around me and my passion for photography."
What they're saying: Chloe credited her lecturers with helping her grow both personally and professionally since starting her degree.
"From the very beginning, I felt immediately welcomed at the University of Suffolk, and the lecturers have continued to be incredibly encouraging throughout my studies," she said. "They have offered constructive feedback and helped me develop confidence in my abilities.
"Their own experience within the creative industry really shows and has had a positive influence on my development, making their guidance both relevant and inspiring."
Noel Bowler, course leader for BA (Hons) Photography and Visual Media at the University of Suffolk, said: "Chloe thoroughly deserves being a finalist in these awards. She was a standout from the moment she arrived; driven, professionally minded and already building something impressive.
"Chloe is a great example of what's possible when professional ambition and independent creative practice come together, and exactly the kind of student our BA (Hons) Photography and Visual Media course is designed for."
What's next: Chloe hopes to complete her degree, develop a studio space and potentially move into teaching photography in future. The winners of the UK Small Business Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony in Birmingham on 19 December.
The bottom line: From launching a business as a teenager to competing for national recognition, Chloe's story shows what's possible when a passion project gets the chance to grow.
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