SWPP Convention

This is always an exciting time of year for me. It is the time that myself and my husband make our way down to London for the SWPP’s annual convention. The SWPP is the Society of Portrait and Wedding Photographers, a group I joined when I first started out as a professional photographer. I always knew that this society would provide me with great benefit professionally but I never realised how much I could benefit personally. We had, yet again, a fantastic weekend.

It was our third year attending the convention in London and with each year we attend we meet more and more people. It is now no longer just a work function but becoming just as much a social function. As such it will be an event we look forward to every year.

Of course it wasn’t all about socialising. We did manage to squeeze in a little learning. I attended some brilliant seminars from top photographers whom I’ve been admiring over the years. I have pages of notes to work through, loads of ideas and a great deal of inspiration to keep me going for months.

In addition to the seminars we also attended the annual Awards Night. All the monthly awards given throughout the year are put forward for the annual judging where one international and one UK image for each category wins the honour of photographer of the year. Over 16000 images made it to the annual judging. I didn’t actually win an award however I was lucky enough to make the top three in the Pets Category with my horse picture. This is actually the second year in a row that I have had an image in the top three which has made me more determined than ever to win an award. So I have a lot of work to do throughout the year if I am to make that happen.

Well thanks everyone who helped make this weekend so enjoyable. I look forward to seeing you all again next year.