I’ve just returned from the Guild of Photographers‘ Awards Weekend which was held in the lovely DoubleTree by Hilton in Stoke-On-Trent. I’m a little tired and hoarse from all the late night talking with my Guild photographer friends and it has just been the best weekend.
This year I managed to get three of my images into the Photographer of the Year 2022 Finalists book. This has been amazing for me and to see my images sit alongside the incredible images of my peers is still taking time to sink in. The book is beautifully printed by Loxley Colour and is filled with the best images selected from the year and shortlisted to be contenders for image of the year in many categories.
I had high hopes for my Founders Cup entry; a panel of three images conceived to convey a story. The competition in this category was just too strong for me and I lost out to an amazing panel of giraffe images which took runner up for Nigel Proctor and a stunning panel of images of a monkey claiming the title for Sarah Dowdall.
I was really happy for the winners but have to admit I was feeling a bit resigned to losing out on any chance in the next category as well as I just thought the images in contention were just too strong for me.
Anyway, I did get called out to pick up my Photographer’s Bar which cheered me up. This is the award for consistency of entering 3 images every month over a period of 8 months. I managed to gain enough points for this and when my name was called I stepped up to collect the award which is now my 4th time of collecting this one.
I had a few categories to enjoy watching before Classical Portraiture came up. I had no expectations because the other images were just stunning. I was just pleased to have 2 of mine feature in the book.
When the runner up was announced and up popped my image of Peter and my name was called out I just couldn’t believe it. Honestly I was just stunned. I’ve loved this image so much since seeing it come up on my screen during the hour I spent making it in the wonderful company of Peter and his wife, Ellen.
It was a bit of a challenge to get to the podium in a composed state but the cheers from the audience kept me just on the right side of losing it.
A handshake from Steve, a nervous smile for the camera and back to my seat carrying my first ever glass trophy from the Guild of Photographers. I still can’t quite believe it. Many congratulations to Millissa Forbes for winning the category with her stunning portrait.
My night was made. Time to sit back and watch all the excitement of the other winners stepping up. Truly wonderful to see and be part of…….but hold on……once more my name got called.
Another unexpected award. My images for the bar had accumulated enough points to get me in the top ten of all the people category photographers. So I now hold the title of International Top Ten Photographer in the People Category. This is the third year I’ve won this award and a great surprise to pick it up. If I could work out how to successfully photograph the shiny glass trophy half decent I’ll add a photos as it’s very lovely.
Photo credit for the official photos, the wonderful Samantha Jayne (thank you!)
It was such a brilliant experience and to join my award winning photography friends, some picking up their first ever awards and others picking up many awards, was such a pleasure.
What a brilliant organisation and I’d thoroughly recommend any photographers to join no matter your skill level. It’s such a friendly family to be part of.
The Photographers Bar 2022 – People Category
International Top Ten Photographer – People Category
Image of the Year 2022 – Runner Up – Classical Portraiture Category
Thanks, M
MARTIN CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY 