It was the most inspiring pleasure to be trained by one of the UK’s best ever wedding and portrait photographers, Simon John during an o-er coun’ry visit to zomerset!
We came away from the day buzzing with ideas and couldn’t wait to get back to the studio to put into practice all our newly earned tips and techniques.
It would take too long to tell you about the awards Hampshire based Simon has won and his achievements during his 25 years working as a professional photographer (you can visit www.simonjohn.co.uk for that), but what I can tell you is that Simon is a Fellow of the Master Photographers Association and the British Institute of Professional Photographers! For those of you who think that’s a lot of long names, it’s basically the highest qualification you can achieve as a professional photographer. Oh ok and he did win UK Wedding Photographer of the Year!!!
So off we trotted around the beautiful surroundings of Somerton Court in Somerton, with 15 other enthusiastic delegates – some more enthusiastic that others but it was great to meet some new faces!!
The main points I will be taking away with me, is how professional photographers MUST work together to keep the profession alive, and to differentiate ourselves from the ammeter/enthusiasts who do weddings ‘shoot to CD’ for £300. Photography its self does mean ‘painting with light’ a skill which cannot be taught over night and to be mastered takes time, experience, knowledge and investment. So any photographers reading this blog, lets RAISE OUR GAME! Get onto the available training courses offered by the professional bodies (MPA, BIPP, SWPP) and justify why we charge what we do! But not only that but to raise or game in a field we all love… photography at its best, and creating memories for our clients that will last until their grandchildren are old.
Below are some of the shots that were taken on the day by me and my colleague Claire.
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