I won an Award

Achieving a Wedding Award for Photography

I don’t really enter wedding photography competitions as my work really isn’t standard competition worthiness when it comes to Professional Photography Associations. Anyway last month I decided to put one of my couple shots in as I needed an extra image to make up the numbers for my entry. I had no aspirations on it doing well and possibly getting at most Classified, which is a high standard professionally, just not competition level.

Sp the 21st April came and 1.00pm the results were in. I logged into my Guild of Photographers account to see my results. I can honestly say, when I saw that this image had been awarded a Bronze, I was completely dazed by it and it certainly was not expected!

So with this in mind, I think I can actually say I am an award winning photographer albeit I never will. One thing is for sure, I will continue to remain a natural posing kind of photographer letting my couples just be themselves. It’s this aspect of wedding photography I love. Letting everyone just be themselves, no pressure. I mean I have enough pressure on me really on capturing a very precious day without the added stress/anxiety of posing couples. Yes some couples are naturally gifted in front of the camera and are at ease and many do actually just pose themselves in a way they are comfortable and yes I love this. Others, I just gently direct them but that’s it unless there is some element of un-flattery going on which I would of course correct. I’m a bit of sad perfectionist/OCD kind of person and yes it’s natural but it also has to look right, right?

Whether I will enter more wedding photos in the monthly competition remains open… I’m in no rush and technically, I wouldn’t ever score high because of my simplistic and natural way of working but there maybe that one lucky shot that was natural yet meets the high judging criteria of the association and its judges. I guess one thing to note is that I am a trustworthy and competent photographer who takes great pride in her work! Believe me when I tell you this and it is a little secret, every morning I have a wedding to photograph, the knots in my tummy are real and full of excitement and nerves! Yes guys I am a nervous wreck… until the moment I walk into the bridal prep room and say a friendly hello, letting out a big sigh and get on with documenting my wonderful couple’s weddings!

I think I’ve rambled on enough for now, so here is my Bronze Award for a photograph taken at a wedding back in April 2018 where the Peak District Hills were just a short drive away. The wedding took place at well renowned The Maynard Hotel in Grindleford, which is a stunning venue for a wedding and I’d love to go back! This particular photograph was taken in the beautiful gardens of the hotel grounds so it is the perfect Peak District location for a gorgeous wedding. Since I was last there it has been sold on, taken over and refurbished to a very high standard just modernising it a little without losing character. If you’re planning your wedding at The Maynard, please get in touch… I want to photograph your wedding! If you delves into the archives here on my blog, you’ll find Lauren and Andy’s wedding featured, grab a cuppa or a glass of something, sit back and take a nosey! Thank you for reading x