iJAG Photography’s founder, 18-year-old Izzy Graney, has been crowned Rising Star 2025 at the prestigious National Business Success Awards, held this month in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Izzy, who has built her reputation in automotive and motorsport photography, triumphed in a fiercely contested category, facing off against another professional photographer and even the founder of a large national charity. Judges praised her vision, creativity, and resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges.
Over the last few years, Izzy has battled serious health conditions, including POTS, hEDS, and chronic pain syndrome. These conditions shattered her dream of joining the Royal Air Force as a pilot. Yet instead of giving up, she reinvented her path, pouring her energy into motorsport photography, turning adversity into opportunity.
Reflecting on her win, Izzy said:
“I thought my future was going to be in a cockpit, but instead I found it trackside with a camera. Motorsport photography has given me a different set of wings, and this award proves that you can still fly even if your route changes.”
Izzy also credited the support she has received from the Student Motorsport community and others in the industry, who have encouraged her growth and helped open doors to opportunities that led to this success.
Adding a light-hearted touch to the evening, Izzy revealed that she attended the glamorous awards ceremony, still recovering from a serious foot injury. Despite dressing up in a full-length gown for the occasion, she completed the look with fluffy slippers hidden beneath her dress, having only just swapped crutches and a medical boot for more freedom.
Her mother, Liz Graney, founder of rural marketing consultancy Escape the Village, was also recognised as a finalist in the Against All Odds category, making the night a true celebration of family resilience and entrepreneurship.
The National Business Success Awards highlight the best of UK enterprise, innovation, and determination. Izzy’s Rising Star win celebrates not only her exceptional talent as a photographer but also her courage and creativity in carving out a business against the odds.
