Keely and Will, the couple whose image was selected for the finals of the Kodak Wedding Photographer of the Year Award, came to see us last Sunday. There were two reasons why they made the trip from Manchester. We presented them with the Kodak digital camera that was their prize for reaching the finals and they brought their finished album.
We don’t see the finished albums these days because they are delivered direct to the customer so it is always exciting when a couple bring the finished article to show us. Will and Keely are delighted with their album and, even though we say so ourselves, it is very beautiful. They have had lots of compliments from their friends and family. Keely told us that the most usual response has been “it really tells the story of the day”. That is our purpose. Of course some portraits and group pictures are important but for us wedding photography is story telling. We are concerned with telling a sympathetic but truthful story of the wedding day. The only way to do that successfully is to observe and not interfere but to look for images that have strong composition, interesting light, moving expressions and that work together to form a powerful narrative. Which is exactly what the picture that got us into the finals of the Kodak Wedding Photographer of the Year awards was all about.
We like to think that even if you were not at the wedding you will be able to understand each event in the album or slideshow without need for explanation.
The MPA, who organize the Kodak awards asked for a picture of the presentation for their magazine and they have sent out the following Press Release:
South Lakes photographer reaches final
Bowness based photographer, Steven Taylor, has been named as one of only five finalists in a prestigious national photography awards.
The 2010 Kodak Wedding Awards are run by The Master Photographers Association (MPA) and Kodak Professional. The awards attracted entries from the cream of Britain’s professional photographers, so to reach the final is a huge accolade for Steven, whose image now goes forward to the final judging in September.
One purpose of the Awards is to raise money for the
PACE Centre in Aylesbury, PACE is the MPA’s chosen charity and does invaluable work with children with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy. Each entry carried a £1 charge, with all the fees being donated to PACE.
Keely and Will Lewis of Manchester, whose wedding was the subject of Steven’s stunning image, have won a Kodak digital camera and will be hoping their picture can go all the way. They stand to win a cool £1,000 if the image is named the overall winner at the glittering Master Photography Awards ceremony, which is held in Birmingham in October. Keely and Will’s wedding was at the Low Wood Hotel in February of this year.
Says Colin Buck, MPA chief executive, “Steven has done extremely well to reach this stage of such a high profile Award. The competition was very tough and to reach the final is a real honour. I’m sure Steven will be looking forward to October to see if he is crowned the overall winner.”
