First Story Young Writers Festival

The First Story: Young Writers Festival Over The Years

For almost a decade now, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of photographing the First Story Young Writers Festival—a vibrant celebration of creativity, storytelling, and young voices. Held annually at the beautiful Cambridge University, this one-day event brings together hundreds of secondary school students from across the country for a packed day of workshops, readings, and inspiration from professional writers.

The energy at each festival is infectious. There’s something really special about watching young people find their voice and grow in confidence as they share their words—sometimes for the very first time. This is a selection of some of my favourite images from festivals gone by. From the quiet concentration in a classroom or the buzz of the final open mic, it’s such a special thing to be a part of.