A few months ago, we invited our community to take part in a photography competition on the theme of 'Living with cardiomyopathy'.
The photos we received showed extraordinary creativity, offering glimpses into different people's experiences and reminding us that no two journeys are the same.
Our judges awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and highly commended three more entries. The People's Choice Award was decided by votes at our National Conference, Journeying Together, on Saturday 28th March. You can look at the top photos and read the stories behind them on this page.
We're currently looking at taking the photo exhibition on tour. If you're able to help – for example, by offering some space at a venue – we'd love to hear from you at events@cardiomypathy.org.
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos, and many congratulations to our winners!
Joshua Bright
'Climbing the Walls'
1st place
This is one of the images I made during the pandemic, two years after discovering my genetic cardiomyopathy, only a few months before the death of my mother from heart failure (she carried the same mutation and cardiomyopathy) and two years before I had an ICD implanted. At the time, unable to go out during lockdown to rock climb and stay healthy and combat the limitations of my cardiomyopathy, I made a whimsical, semi-staged photo story about climbing indoors contrasted against mundane domestic life – also the sweetness of my loving intimate family. I still enjoy climbing to this day with my ICD.
Dr Chris Marshall
'Drowning is silent'
2nd place
I took this when I was feeling very low around the time of a decline in my cardiac function. The burden of a hidden disability that has had such a profound effect on my energy levels, relationships, career prospects and ambition, but that nobody can see, is a tough one to bear. It can be very hard to keep your head above water. I used to push myself all the time. Acceptance that you have fundamentally changed is not easy. But with it comes the opportunity for enormous growth in empathy, gratitude and the opportunity that a change in perspective can provide. I am kinder, slower to judge and more open minded than I used to be as a result.
Vivienne Brownrigg
'HCM – The Colourful Veil of Life'
3rd place
HCM has blighted the life of our family for my lifetime. My dad died at 36 with this devastating inherited condition, leaving a young widow and three young children. Three male generations before him were wiped out and myself, my darling son, my sister and niece are living with HCM.
The photograph my husband cleverly took indicates the stresses and strain of living with a very poorly researched devastating life medical condition, with support and knowledge only coming into fruition in the last 10 years in a drip-feed way. The flag is an opaque screen patients are living under in life, but colourful light can still shine through, if positive attitudes, excellent updated treatment, good communication, public awareness, kindness and thankfulness are all spread around and waving in the breeze.
Bill Wheeler
'No entry with DCM'
People's Choice Award
Highly commended
A constant reminder of one of the physical limitations and challenges of living with DCM: steps.
Tara Gray
'Follow the love'
Highly commended
This photo was taken on the 22nd Oct 2025 while pumpkin-picking with my 22 month son. It took so much strength to get out on that day as my DCM and severe HF was taking a physical and psychological toll on me during that week in particular, but I kept my promise of having a Halloween-themed day out. I look at this photo now and I see courage and strength to keep living with the condition. I also see it as a message to others that all ages can be unexpectedly affected by heart failure; including parents of young children. When I look at this photo I see it as a symbol and a goal of following him through life with love and looking for the bright colours and hope ahead (like the rainbow and heart structure in the foreground). I will always keep going for him.
Pinkle Rana
'Hide Away!'
Highly commended
Cardio condition is difficult to cope with. Sometimes I just feel I want to forget it all, I just want to hide away, I want to pretend it hasn't happened to me.
