Have you ever spotted a stunning view of one of our buildings, captured a great team moment, or taken a photo during your working day that shows what life at SEH is really like?
We're launching our Staff Photo Competition and inviting colleagues across SEH and SEPS to help build a library of authentic images that showcase our people, places and communities.
Our photographer, Sarah Lyons, has been working hard to build up a library of images for use across our website, intranet, social media channels, and Insight magazine. But with so much happening every day, there are plenty of moments that never make it in front of the camera!
That’s where you come in. Whether it’s a photo taken in the office, out on site, at a meeting, or in the community… and professional photography skills are not required, the camera on your phone will do! We simply want to see South Essex Homes through your eyes.
Every entry will make a difference to local families. For every colleague that enters, £5 will be donated to our Temporary Accommodation Fund, helping support South Essex Homes residents who need it the most. The total donation will be added to the proceeds from this year's annual raffle.
Winners will be announced at the December staff briefing, and the top contenders will see their photos used across the various SEH communications channels.
Competition categories
People of SEH: Selfie category
Show us what your day looks like through a selfie. Whether you're out on site, meeting residents, attending an event or spending time with colleagues, we'd love to see the people behind SEH.
These images are most suitable for our intranet and internal communications. We will ask your permission before using them in any external communications.
Our Places
Capture the places we manage and maintain. From tower blocks bathed in sunshine to beautiful gardens at our sheltered schemes, show us our buildings at their best.
Southend Snaps
Celebrate the city we serve. If you spot a fantastic view, local landmark or interesting scene while out and about, take a photo and share it with us.
Moments That Matter
Not every great photo fits neatly into a category. This category is for those special moments that capture community, teamwork or daily life at SEH.
Please ensure that anyone prominently featured in your photo has given permission for the image to be submitted. We will need confirmation of this if the image is shortlisted.
How to enter
You can submit up to three photos per category, but don’t have to enter every category to get involved, so don’t be shy!
Remember, every colleague to enter, £5 will be donated to our Temporary Accommodation fund.
Send your entries to Amber Rodgers by email or WhatsApp, or enter using the online form:
- amberrodgers@seh.southend.gov.uk
- 07375 918723
Please include:
- Your name and team
- The category you are entering
- Where the photo was taken and a brief description of the image (If there is a story behind the photo, please share this with us too!)
- The names of any residents featured, so consent can be confirmed if the image is shortlisted for public use
Closing date: Saturday 31st October 2026.
How judging works
The competition will be judged in two stages.
The first stage will consist of a judging panel made up ofthe Executive Management Team and Sarah, our Communications Team photographer. The panel will judge all entries and will score them against the following criteria:
- Impact & storytelling
- Creativity & originality
- Quality & presentation
The panel will then create a shortlist of the top three entries in each category and select the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
The shortlisted photos will then be shared with residents and staff, who will be invited to vote for their three favourite images.
The photo with the most votes will be crowned the People's Choice Winner!
Prizes
There will be a top three for each category, with winners receiving a voucher worth…
- £30 for 1st place
- £20 for 2nd place
- £10 for 3rd place
The People's Choice winner will receive a bonus voucher of £50!
So, in total you could win up to £80 with just one entry!
Rules and Terms
Who can enter?
- Open to all SEH and SEPS employees.
- Entrants must have taken the photograph themselves.
Photo requirements
- Photos taken prior to the competition may be entered.
- Photos must be submitted in their original format where possible.
- Basic cropping and editing is permitted.
- AI-generated, AI-assisted, or heavily manipulated images will not be accepted.
- Images must be appropriate for use in SEH communications.
- Each photo cannot be submitted to multiple categories.
Permissions and privacy
Anyone clearly identifiable in a photo must have given written permission for the image to be submitted and potentially shared publicly. No under 18s should be photographed.
Photos must not include confidential information, computer screens, resident records, addresses, vehicle registrations, or anything that could compromise privacy.
Ownership and usage
By entering the competition, participants grant South Essex Homes permission to edit, and use submitted photographs in future communications, including the website, intranet, social media, publications and marketing materials. Photographers will be credited where practicable.