I received the amazing news today that I’m a finalist in the Wedding Photographer of the Year category at this years Essex Wedding Awards. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony at Parklands Quendon Hall on the 28th November 2013.

I feel absolutely blessed to have received this nomination and the recognition of my photography in the wedding industry, my photography journey has been amazing so far and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

One of my favourite and inspirational quotes is;

“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible” – Joel Brown

And a good few years ago I had the unpleasant experience of having my work critiqued at a British Journal of Photography exhibition, don’t get me wrong a critique is vital for your improvement and growth as a photographer but what happened to me on this day was something I’ll never forget.

I remember sitting down all nervous having a portfolio of studio style headshots that I had taken at a lighting workshop. Now I know the headshots I took weren’t the most creative of work but as I said these were my first steps into the world of portrait photography and I was more concerned with getting the lighting techniques correct. I sat there while he (the judge) basically said I should never ever take another portrait again, that I was pretty much hopeless at it and that I should concentrate on photographing such things as landscapes; needless to say I was made to feel so small. I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing I thought he was there to help me and to give me an idea on how I can improve. I just sat there embarrassed and with thoughts running through my head of wanting to smash his face in with my portfolio – I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

You know what though I always credit that chap for inspiring me to prove him wrong and to myself that I could do it and to make my mark in photographing people. From that day forth I did all I could to work on my technique and to learn from other amazing photographers who’s work truly inspired me.

So to have this nomination is a massive reassurance that this path I’m taking is the right one…

Thank you!!!!