“Becoming a member of the Photographer's Bar is a unique
distinction awarded to those photographers who have successfully had images
assessed by the Guild over the course of a year, and attained a score equating
to an award for each entry made, thereby evidencing an exceptional level of
professional skill and consistency - a distinction that is very difficult to
achieve”
The Guild of Photographers
Squeaaaa! I got the
Photographer’s Bar. Again!
And not only that, but I’ve
moved up from 8th position last year, to 5th in the whole
entire country, this year! *does a little
dance*
Ahem, excuse me. I just had
to get that out. I promise I’ll make more sense from now on... Maybe.
As any of my regular
followers will know, I take my photography very seriously. And not just because
it’s my business, but because I love it. And the reason I get out of bed every
day is to provide my fabulous customers with the best newborn photography I can
possibly muster.
I have a props addiction (there, I admit it) and I spend SO much time getting every
photoshoot prepared and perfect – sometimes my family despairs!
The Photographer’s Bar
But it’s all worth it when I
get news that I’ve got the Photographer’s Bar for the second year running. (If
you’re still not sure what that is, have another read of the official bit at
the top, or hop off over here
for a more in-depth explanation.)
While this makes me jump
about like a lunatic in my fluffy slippers and PJs, what it means (and here’s
the serious bit) is that you, my customers, can rest easy in your
slippers. If you’ve booked a
newborn shoot with me, you’ll be getting a service that is not only highly
professional, practiced and polished, but is backed by experience, a proven
track record and a great big double thumbs-up from a national Photography body
– the Guild of Photographers.
There aren’t that many
photographers who achieve this award every year, and we’re kept on our toes
once we’ve hung the certificate the first time too. We can’t just sit back and
admire it. Oh no. It must be earned every year, by submitting entries into the
Guild of Photographers’ monthly awards.
So, here’s my promise to you.
I will continue to take the best newborn photographs I can, make entries into
the awards and work my fluffy Kiwi socks off, to stay at the Bar. Who’s with
me?
My story of the Awards
So, allow me to take you on a little story-telling journey
of my night at the Guild Awards. Fancy it? Then let’s go…
Spinning back to just a few of years back, I wasn’t a member
of the Guild of Photographers, I wasn’t submitting images into a monthly awards
competition and I didn’t have even half the number of props I have now.
But I knew I wanted to take my photography skills to the
next level so that I could deliver an outstanding service to my customers.
Newborns were my real passion so I took the step to focus my business on that
area. Captured Forever was born in 2014 and I haven’t looked back since.
Fast forward to 3 February 2018 and there I was, a slightly
hyper Kiwi photographer from Whitley Bay, standing in the most amazing venue
(Crewe Hall in Cheshire, check
it out
!) with my lashes done, spray tan set, LBD swinging around me knees
and some killer heels (well for me) to finish off the look.
I didn’t attend the awards last year, when I was placed 8th
in the category of Newborn and Baby photography. But this year? I wasn’t going
to pass up the opportunity to side-line the Crocs and break out the
aforementioned LBD.
Imagine my delight when I walked in to the Awards and
discovered that one of my images had been chosen to appear in the official
Awards book – a glossy, gorgeous, coffee table style brochure, put together to
showcase some of the UK’s best photographers and their work! OMG moment number
one of the evening!
The UK’s photography glitterati were out in force. Everyone
dressed up to the nines and sashaying around Crewe Hall like Lords and Ladies
of the Manor – I was totally out of my comfort zone, but loving every second!
Thankfully I had my marvellous mentor, Claire Elliott, by my side to keep the
nerves in check.
The dining room was amazing. Glitz and glamour everywhere.
Sparkles and shimmer, excitement and anticipation – I loved it!
We were treated to a sumptuous dinner with all the trimmings
and then… it was time for the Awards themselves. I was nominated in the top ten
Newborn and Baby Category. Yes. One of the top ten in the whole UK – what an
honour! But tonight wasn’t just about Newborns – we were celebrating
outstanding photography in a number of categories: Avant Garde and Contemporary
Portraiture, Baby and Toddler, Birds, Children's Portraiture, Classical
Portraiture, Commercial, Creative and Digital Art, Events, Sports and Action,
Flora and Insect, Nature and Wildlife, Newborn and Maternity, Pet, Rural and
Landscape, Urban, and Wedding. Phew! I
was in amongst the best!
So, names were announced, winners revealed, speeches given,
tears wiped, Mums thanked… it was awesome – just like being at the Oscars, only
for photographers instead of theatre and film luvvies.
When it came to the Newborn and Baby category, I didn’t win
the top prize, but I was absolutely over the moon to find I’d won 5th
place in the whole country for my much-loved newborn photos. OMG. I’m not too
proud to admit it – I cried.
The whole experience was incredible and, as I sat at my
glitzy table, staring at my name tag and sipping my sparkling water from a
crystal champagne flute, I felt so lucky to be doing what I’m doing. I might
have mentioned in the past that I adore my job. Meeting families, snuggling
gorgeous newborns, providing lasting memories of treasured moments – what’s not
to love? But I couldn’t do it without all of you. You place your trust in me by
becoming my customers, and I’m the proudest Kiwi/Geordie photographer in the
world to be able to stand up and say, I’m an Award-Winning Photographer.
Thank you x
