A striking photograph capturing a heritage steam locomotive illuminated by thousands of vibrant, multi-colored LED lights has triumphed at the 12th annual Event Photography Awards (EPAs).
The winning image, which depicts the festive spectacle known as the "Boogie Lights Express" running on the historic Severn Valley Railway in England, secured the top spot in the highly competitive Christmas Parties and Seasonal Events category. The accolade was presented during a glittering ceremony held at the historic Central Hall Westminster in the heart of London, where around 250 leading photographers, industry professionals, and guests gathered to celebrate the pinnacle of event imagery.
The photograph was captured by Jack Boskett, a renowned specialist in railway photography and a trusted chronicler of the British royal family. For Boskett, the victory marks a remarkable continuation of his success at the prestigious international competition, underlining his ability to capture fleeting, complex moments in challenging lighting environments.
The Event Photography Awards, established as a not-for-profit initiative, was founded with a clear mission: to highlight and elevate the vital importance of exceptional photography within the fast-paced international events industry. Over the years, the competition has grown in stature, attracting entries from some of the most talented visual artists working across the globe.
The 2026 installment of the competition proved to be one of the most competitive to date. Organizers reported a staggering pool of over 2,300 submitted images, showcasing the work of photographers hailing from more than 20 countries. This immense global participation demonstrates the enduring power of live events and the dedication of the professionals tasked with preserving their magic through the lens.
To accommodate the evolving landscape of event imagery, the 2026 EPAs featured 18 core categories spanning everything from corporate gatherings and cultural festivals to lavish private celebrations and seasonal spectacles. In addition to these established categories, this year’s competition introduced exciting new additions. These included a dedicated Black & White Award, sponsored by Digital Camera magazine, as well as the prestigious Event Photographer of the Year accolade, which is awarded in conjunction with the Best Portfolio honor to recognize sustained excellence across a photographer’s body of work.
Following the ceremony, Jack Boskett reflected on his unexpected win and the significance of the accolade in an era increasingly shaped by technological shifts.
"It was an absolute shock and I was delighted to win," Boskett said, sharing his initial reaction to hearing his name called out among the elite gathering in London. "I think this is the fourth year running that I have won an award at the EPAs."
The veteran photographer emphasized the emotional weight of peer recognition, particularly at a time when the profession faces new challenges from rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.
"Winning makes all the hard work of being a photographer worthwhile, and it’s even harder for photographers to stand out these days because of AI," Boskett explained. "So when genuine photography wins awards—I’m not just saying me, but everyone else who has won this evening and everybody who was shortlisted—it’s absolutely fantastic to see so many stunning, genuine photographs."
Capturing the Magic of the ‘Boogie Lights Express’
The award-winning image centers on a truly unique British holiday tradition: the Boogie Lights Express operated by the Severn Valley Railway. Located in the picturesque English countryside, the heritage railway transforms its classic steam locomotives into mobile discos during the festive season.
According to the official Severn Valley Railway website, the seasonal event features a bespoke sound and light show designed to captivate passengers of all ages. Thousands of colored LED lights are meticulously fitted to the exterior and interior of the steam train, transforming the historic carriages and the locomotive itself into a glowing, kaleidoscopic vision as it cuts through the winter night.
Designed as a family-oriented experience, the attraction invites passengers to don colored LED wristbands provided for the journey, turning the two-way, 70-minute trip between Kidderminster and Highley stations into an immersive, moving party complete with synchronized music and lighting effects.
Translating this dazzling spectacle into a static photograph, however, was no small feat. Boskett revealed that the technical demands of the shoot required precise planning, split-second timing, and a deep understanding of his equipment’s capabilities under extreme conditions.
"It was a hard shot to take," Boskett said, detailing the physical realities of photographing a fast-moving, illuminated steam train in total darkness. "The locomotive is doing about 25 miles an hour in the dark, and you’ve got to focus on having the right camera settings."
To balance the speed of the locomotive against the profound darkness of the surrounding countryside, the photographer had to carefully calculate his exposure.
"I cranked up the ISO quite high, but the shutter speed was very low—1/50 sec. It was literally pitch black and there was no light around me," he recalled.
Despite the challenging variables, the gamble paid off spectacularly when the train entered the frame.
"When the locomotive came through the cutting, through the trees, it just shone and lit up everything around me and looked better than I expected," Boskett said. "I wasn’t expecting ‘The Boogie Lights Express’ to win tonight. There were some very, very good photographs in the category, so it was a really nice surprise to come out on top."
To achieve the shot, Boskett relied on professional-grade gear, shooting with a Nikon Z 9 mirrorless camera paired with a Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens set at 70mm. His exposure settings for the winning frame were 1/50 of a second at f/3.2, with the sensitivity pushed to ISO 2000 to capture the brilliance of the lights against the dark rural backdrop without introducing prohibitive motion blur.
