……Gold at last!
Courtesy of the delightful Daphne!
So today I have finally achieved what I have been working towards since 2015…a GOLD award from The Guild of Photographers. Please forgive this self-indulgent boast, but believe me this is no easy feat!
Being a member of several Photographic organisations, I think it is fair to say that the standards of judging within the Guild are amongst the toughest.
Out of more than 1500 entries this month,just 19 were awarded Gold!
Attention to detail is incredible and even the tiniest of distractions will result in lost points.
Over the years I have been given Gold awards by other bodies, but the elusive Gold from the Guild has always been just out of reach.
Gatsby provided me with one of my early Bronze awards
My journey with the Guild of Photographers began just over 4 years ago. As someone who works alone, I felt I needed support and guidance to take my photography to the next level.
I undertook a personal commitment to enter The Guild’s Image of the Month competition. Each month, approximately 1500 entries are assessed by a full panel of highly experienced Judges who grade them in accordance with international judging criteria.
After a tentative wait, the results are released the following month, and the higher scoring images are awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold Bar.
As I gained more experience, I began to consistently achieve recognition for my work
Over the years, I have been awarded more than 80 Bronze awards…
Lola
Arlo
Roux
Holly
Tate, Wren, Hattie and Olive
After receiving success with my outdoor location photography, I then set out to perfect my studio work…
Alfie
Harry
It is sometimes said that the judging of photography is subjective (i.e. a matter of opinion). This can be so, but isn’t in the Guild’s case.
There are 12 points that the judges look at, which apart from all the technical elements you would expect a professional photographer to achieve, include things such as impact and story telling via the image.
Doesn’t this image of little Woody evoke an emotion when you look at those little puppy dog eyes?
Woody
Whilst I was pleased with my regular Bronze awards, I obviously wanted to improve the standard of my photography even further. To do this, I underwent some mentoring.
It can be quite a tough journey submitting image after image and getting them critiqued. You get emotionally attached to the images you take…especially if they are of cute puppies and gorgeous dogs!
To have someone tell you everything that’s wrong with an image that you have lovingly created can be hard, but you have to remember that without truthful feedback, you cannot grow.
Last year, I began to receive the first of my Silver awards…I had achieved another landmark …and it felt good!
Faith
Racer
Today my hard work, persistence and determination has finally paid off, when I achieved one of my long term ambitions …the Gold award that had eluded me for so long!
I want to thank the Judges at The Guild of Photographers, but mainly I want to thank all those lovely dog models that let me continue to do what I love every day..and of course their equally lovely and patient owners. I feel very blessed.
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of my award winning images – please feel free to comment and share
If anyone decides to join the Guild of Photographers…please mention my name!
If you would like to book a pet photo experience for you and your best friend, please get in touch with me at:
info@katrinawilsonphotography.co.uk
I want ALL of the dogs in your photo’s they look so adorable! Really well done Katrina, your high standards bring rewards for all of us. Your kindness and love of our dogs really shows through…..you are truly a rare and unique talent who fully deserves the Gold Award……and I know……there will be plenty more Golds to come!