This week I had the honour of being presented the award as MPA East Midlands Licentiate Wedding Photographer of the Year 2008, something I am extremely proud of, and also completely embarrased to recieve.
I have been a member of the Master Photographers Association(MPA) for three years now and I have seen a steady improvement in my work since I became a member. Although I have been a full time professional photographer for over twenty years, I have not been a member of any professional organisation until recently. It was only when I joined the MPA I began to see areas where I knew I could improve and push myself. With the help of great photographers such as Julie Oswin and Steve Walton, I have managed to increase my own confidence in my ability as well as provide a much improved service to my clients.
The two images that did the best in the competition for me, were both taken at the same wedding. The winning image of Faye in the process of getting dressed is an image I am most proud of, while the image of Matthew, lit with my Lumedyne lighting kit, shows that not all wedding photographs have to be stiff and starchy formal poses.
As a photographer in the Royal Air Force I won many competitions, including Photographer of the Year, numerous times, but I must admit, this first independant award is something I will always treasure, mainly because it means that other photographers that I respect, also respect the work that I do, and that means a lot to me.
At the award ceremony were many of the good friends I have made over the past couple of years, including the incredibly talented Ursula Kelly, who managed to take just about every portrait and fashion category in the competition, as well as the title of MPA East Midlands Photographer of the Year., Congratulations Ursula, you deserve it..
