Tom Gruitt was a highly respected yachting photographer and picture editor whose talent, enthusiasm and professionalism made a lasting impression on the sailing and marine media world.

Tom began building his career at a young age and went on to photograph some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Olympic Games and the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, as well as working as a picture editor and covering sailing at every level. Behind the images was someone with a genuine understanding of the sport, an exceptional eye for a photograph and a determination to make the very most of every opportunity that came his way.

At just 25, Tom was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Despite the challenges that followed, he continued to build an impressive career and earned the respect and friendship of photographers, journalists, sailors and colleagues across the industry. He died aged just 37, leaving behind an extraordinary body of work and a reputation that extended far beyond the photographs he took.

The YJA Tom Gruitt Emerging Photographer Award has been created in his memory to reflect something that mattered greatly in Tom’s own career: the importance of being given an opportunity. Aimed at promising photographers under the age of 37, the award will do more than recognise talent. It is intended to open doors, provide practical support and give an emerging photographer the opportunity to establish themselves within yachting photography.

Launched on Friday 18 September 2026 at the Southampton International Boat Show, the award will encourage applicants to demonstrate both their potential talent and their commitment to pursuing a career in yachting photography. Applications will be open from October 2026, with the inaugural winner set to be announced at the 2027 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

Alongside the YJA Tom Gruitt Emerging Photographer Trophy, the winner will receive practical support designed to help them develop their career.

The trophy itself has been expertly crafted by the talented team at Rustler Yachts. Based in Cornwall, Rustler is renowned for its hand-crafted custom and semi-custom sailing and cruising yachts, making the company a particularly fitting partner in creating a lasting tribute to Tom.

Henri-Lloyd is also supporting the award by providing the winner with a full set of ocean waterproofs, while Baltic is donating a lifejacket, ensuring the successful photographer receives essential equipment to support them while working on the water.

Ross Partridge, Head of Partnerships & Corporate Sales at Henri Lloyd said: “I am very happy to announce that we will be supporting the new Tom Gruitt Award for photographers with the latest Henri Lloyd Ocean Pro kit. It is important that photography from in-front and behind the lenses is good and in order to allow those photographers to take those brilliant photos we want them to be protected in the very best product. Photography continues to be on the rise in an ever-increasing digital world so it has never been more important.”

Oscar Anderberg, Head of Marketing at Baltic Lifejackets said: ““We are delighted to support the YJA Tom Gruitt Emerging Photographer Award and the next generation of marine photographers. Capturing life on the water often means being right at the heart of the action, and at Baltic, we believe safety should never get in the way of those moments. Our lifejackets are designed around comfort and freedom of movement, so photographers can focus on being part of the action and capturing the stories that happen on the water.”

In doing so, the award will celebrate Tom’s contribution to the sport while helping to create the kind of opportunities for another talented photographer that helped Tom develop his own remarkable career.