I have done it!
Been awarded UK Commercial Photographer of the year 2009, by the Master Photographers Association, at the Annual Awards Presentation on Sunday evening in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Jo and I travelled up to Newcastle on Sunday for the Awards presentation. We knew we had won Wedding Portfolio of the year for the Midlands region, and were delighted about this. We were looking forward to collecting our trophy.
We also new that I had been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for a Fantastic Commercial Picture I also entered. Little did we realise, that this image won me UK’s Commercial Photographer of the year 2009! We saw the image, alongside hundreds of other entries on the exhibition wall, and it looked great – and so did lots of others.
The Actual Awards Dinner and Presentation was like the “Oscars”.
A very prestigious event held at the Newcastle Hilton Hotel. The function room was set out for around 400 photographers and their guests and many top professional photographers from Overseas. To be a part of this is a huge event is such an achievement, and we were delighted and excited to go along.
During the evening, we all enjoyed a fabulous meal and plenty of wine… in fact, probably too much wine!
The Awards presentations began. Slideshows of all the Final Entries were shown and the winners announced.
There were some truly inspirational images, truly beautiful.
It then came to the Mario Acerboni Wedding Portfolio Award. We new I had to collect a trophy for winning the Midlands region. Myself, along with the 12 other regional winners, formed a group on stage to collect our certificates and trophies and be photographed by the official photographer.
Before I had chance to sit down, my name was called out again, and I had won Runner-up! I came second Overall – WOW. Fantastic, there were some amazing entries to beat.
The evening continued with yet more champagne flowing and great company and yet more awards.
Then The Awards of Excellence began, Best Portrait Photographer, Best Overseas Photographer, Best Wedding Photographer, Best Commercial Photographer, Best Industrial Photographer, Best Advertising Photographer…Best Pet Photographer…
Each category had a selection of finalists, and the Commercial Category Came up, with a fantastic selection of four images, one of which was mine, I couldn’t believe it. They announced the winner was me, and Jo about jumped through the roof! I had to go on stage to collect my Oscar! I was buzzing!
Towards the end of the awards were the Awards of excellence “special Silver awards” – to be given to outstanding members
That was ME! I had to collect my Silver Oscar for my efforts, and was awarded UK’s Commercial Photographer of the year 2009!
After the ceremony, I was asked, alongside the other major winners, to be interviewed by the TV Cameras – OMG, how nerve racking was that! And after all that wine…It turns out, that I have been chosen as one of the 5 top professional photographers to be filmed “a day in the life of a professional photographer”….watch this space for further news on this…..
I can’t quite believe it yet, This is a massive achievement for me, within my industry. After years of photographing all manner of things/situations, I have finally reached the top of my profession.
I feel great. Here’s to 2010, and a huge Thank you goes to all of my clients I have worked for over the past 5 years or so. Long may you continue to book me to create some stunning imagery, of which will enhance all of your businesses.
