Photography Training and Development

As a Lancashire Wedding Photographer, I am always wary of the need to continual develop knowledge and skills to ensure that my clients get the best quality service and imagery.  So last week, I spent 4 nights on a residential photography training course in the Peak District with some highly acclaimed photographers, trainers and I have to say, it was an awesome few days.  Not a lot of sleep was to be had, we were either shooting images or up to the small hours talking about photography.  Even photographers who have been in the industry many years will always agree that there is always room to learn more.  I must thank the organisers and trainers for their efforts,  Paul Haley, Richie Crossley, Julie Oswin, Sean McCormack. Mark Pearson and of course the very patient models, Lelde, Faye and Maria.  I have come away inspired, have new friendships and I also know a little about wine.

Below are some images I took in the group sessions and the post production is my interpretation on the image.

Finally, whilst we were there, myself, Mark Pearson and Mac MacBride decided to give the models some time off by modelling the wedding dresses.  It was however all in the name of charity and £130 was added to my partner Jan's and Marks wife Mary's fund raising for Race For Life in aid of Cancer Research.  We would like to thank all those that kindly donated for such a worthwhile cause. To donate go to http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/mazandjan

Here is a couple of shots from the shoot courtesy of Alison Bailey Photography

Travel Photographer of the Year Award

On Sunday 16th of January I was delighted to be awarded The 2010 Travel Photographer of the Year Award by the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP).  Every year in January the SWPP hold their week long annual conference, with hundreds of lectures and training events, a trade show which all ends with the Awards Dinner.  Throughout 2010 a monthly image competition was run where you can enter 1 image per category per month and over the course of the year thousands of entries are submitted and less than 2% are awarded 'Gold' awards, which then go to final judging for the annual awards.  Over the course of the year, as you will see in the previous post, I won 17 Gold awards across various categories of which the picture of the man in Marrakech was narrowed down to the final 3 of the Travel Category.  This image was taken when I was in Marrakech to photograph a wedding in May of which thanks must go to Siobhan Murphy Photography for passing the couple on to me in the first place. The Awards dinner was hosted by TV personality Philippa  Forrester, who's husband is an acclaimed wildlife photographer and videographer in his own right and I have to admit, I really never expected to win.  When I was named as winner, it was a very proud moment for me and although it may sound a bit Cliché, after my Grand Father who had given me my first camera to learn with, had passed away 2 weeks earlier, there is really only one person to dedicate the award to.

The judges comments about the image were as follows. 'Interesting and intriguing image of the man, cat robe and bike. A lot to see and gives the feeling that you want to know more'.

So, as a Wedding Photographer in Lancashire who is Travel Photographer of the Year, I can now offer a fantastic service to Bride and Grooms.  When you go on honeymoon, take me, I will go out and take all your photos of the local area and you will not need to leave your hotel room.  But in all seriousness, I hope you all enjoy looking at the images I take and if any invoke a smile or a good memory then it means everything to me.

Below, is the winning image and an image courtesy of the SWPP of me being presented with the award by Phil Jones, Societies CEO.

The Winning Image

Nominated For SWPP Travel Photographer of the Year

Recently I received notification that I had been nominated in the last 3 for Travel Photographer of the Year with the SWPP thanks to an image I took in Marrakech in May. This year, I was quite successful in the competition. My target at the start of the year was to beat last years total of 4 gold awards. In the end, I managed 17. The Travel category alone had nearly 500 entries throughout the year and the Golds awarded make up less than 2% of all entries.  So at the awards dinner in January in London I get to find out if I am successful or not.  Either way, it has been a fun year.  Below are the images that were awarded Gold awards.

Travel Gold Award

Merry Christmas to you all
Paul