A Golden Moment

To say I love what I do would be an understatement. Meeting amazing couples, being lucky enough to share the biggest day of their life and getting to make memories that will last a lifetime is enough reward for my job, and I cherish that enormously.  

It’s so lovely though when your work is recognised away from the wedding day, and it’s not just the Bride and Groom that think your photographs are wonderful! 

I’ve been a member of the Guild of Photographers for two years now, and every month they have a competition that members can enter.  It’s only been in the last eighteen months that I’ve been brave to enough to enter some of my favourite shots. Having your work looked at by your peers and voted for by some of the top photographers in the country is nerve-racking, to say the least!    

I recently submitted a picture I took at the wedding of Puja and Sam at the Belsfield Hotel in Windermere.  It was one of those days where rain almost stopped play, and we were inside for most of the photos because of the wet weather. The hotel is part of the Laura Ashley chain, so we were spoilt for choice with the gorgeous interior and I took a shot of Puja on the stairwell holding her bouquet.  It was a beautiful shot and my favourite of the day – and also the one I entered into the competition.   

To my absolute delight, I got a call to say I had won a Gold Award in the wedding category, which is very rarely handed out, so for me to get it was a massive achievement and a real honour. When I found out I was literally screaming around the house! I told Puja and Sam that one of their wedding photographs had won and they were just as thrilled, it’s one of their favourite shots of the day too.  

Winning the Gold Award means I now have enough awards to become a lifelong member of The Guild, which supports top photographers around the world, from wedding photographers to arts and documentary specialists.  

I can’t tell you how much this means to me, and to be honest I’m still a little bit in shock! 

You can see the winning shot below.

Let me know what you think, and please do get in touch if you think I’m the kind of photographer you’d like for your special day.