WHAT HAPPENED?
Well it would be simple to say nothing but that’s not the case, all sorts of things happened some good some not so pleasant.
Let’s deal with the dross first, as mentioned before I picked up a camera to assist with managing my PTSD and I thought a decent job was being made of this, well I got it wrong and had been masking so much. Unfortunately, the mask eventually slipped and a period of psychotherapy was undertaken, using EMDR. Now that is powerful stuff, it took me to places I found unpleasant and I even considered stopping attending sessions as they were so uncomfortable and not just for me but those around me. But stuck at it and the lovely Sharon who was my support and expert kept pushing me forward and now for the time being sessions have stopped as I feel sooooo much better than I have for many years and am hoping others are now seeing the difference as well, time will tell. I also know that if needed I can pop back into sessions to keep me in the right place. Trouble is they aint cheap, so new lenses have taken a backseat for a while but no bad thing.
The other stuff is a tad more pleasant to be honest with a few nice accolades under my belt with the Guild of Photographers. Now I know there are many organisations who represent/support photographers and I just happen to really like the approach from the Guild and the friendliness of those I have contact with, a cliché I know but it does feel like family, and will all families you can get the aunt/uncle you want to avoid but if honest not met them yet.
So I was exceptionally fortunate and proud to have won the Founders Cup being presented with that February 2025 something I never imagined in a month of Sundays would come my way, the panel I submitted was one I was really pleased with as it showed female rugby at its best with what I consider to be the best team there is - Gloucester Hartpury front and centre, if you were fortunate enough to watch the women’s world cup rugby in 2025 you will have seen many of the GH team across the nations competing, talented athletes all of them.
I’ve also picked up a top10 finish in the Natural World category and 2 photographers bar all from the Guild, which have really helped me in growing in confidence with the images I produce.
Every day is a school day and it’s important to me that I challenge my knowledge and push myself to improve but also realise I need to be a little kinder to myself at times otherwise the enjoyment of this wonderful art form could be ripped away in chasing perfection.
A recent challenge was being an apprentice with Digital Camera and I must thank Niall from the magazine , James Patterson the pro on the day and the wonderful Chloe who was an amazing model for their support. Seeing myself and my images in print is a weird but very satisfying feeling, check it out, its issue 305 April 2026 if interested.
I also need to get better at producing this blog otherwise a certain young lady will give me a hard time at some point and I'm not prepared for that
