Pink Lady Food Photography Awards 2017
Pink Lady Apple a Day
'Keeps the Doctor Away'
I firstly have to say thank you to The Pink Lady Food Photography Awards. I am truly honoured to have been chosen the winner of the 'Pink Lady - Apple a Day' category. It has ticked two of my photography bucket list items; win an award in an internationally recognised and respected competition and have a photo displayed in a prestigious art gallery. In this case the wonderful Mall Gallery. To have my work displayed along side some truly talented photographers is an absolute dream.
The Story behind the Photo
This photo is best described as a self portrait... In more ways than one. Firstly, I am both the photographer and the model in this image. Secondly and possibly more poignantly I am an Emergency Medicine Doctor. We see a significant number of conditions that are either caused or contributed to by poor lifestyle. I have lost count of the number of times I have advised a better diet and more exercise. With increasing demands on an overstretched health service, never has it been so important for us as a population to take charge of our health and make better dietary and exercise choices. I feel that the old saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' encompasses this beautifully. I hope that my photo illustrates that good dietary advice and prevention of lifestyle related health problems are one of the strongest tools doctors and other health professionals may have today. 'Prevention is better than cure'.
The story behind the Photographer
Three years ago I began a journey that was in essence an attempt to achieve a better work-life balance. I bought a camera, the idea being that I would use the camera to get me out of house in what little spare time I had away from the busy A&E department. This hobby quickly turned into a passion. The resultant images gained praise from both friends and family. Once I managed to convince myself that they weren't just complements born out of loyalty I began to seriously consider photography as a means of real life change. The passion for the craft, the joy of capturing singular moments or emotions and the endorphine rush that comes with delivering beautiful memories was too much to ignore. Despite being only two years from becoming a consultant in emergency medicine I resigned from my full time post. A move that was met with some raised eye-brows but also a surprising amount of support and understanding from both colleagues and family. I still work as a doctor in my local accident and emergency department but on a more free-lance basis. Medicine will always have a place in my heart and I will endeavour to keep it a part of my professional life. However, leaving the full time job has allowed me to pursue and nurture my more creative and artistic passions. Photography has allowed me to take control of my life, offered many wonderful opportunities and a professional freedom I have come to love. I am proud to say that I am an award winning U.K. and destination wedding photographer with a business that is going from strength to strength. The beauty of photography is that I have also built up a body of work in food, commercial and portraiture photography as well, which I also enjoy immensely.
At this point I feel the need to say a massive thank you to Aspire Photography Training. Last year I signed up to their bespoke program. The advice and support, especially in terms of creating and advancing my photography business has given me direction and an effective arsenal of tools to continue building both my business and my confidence.
Thank you to everyone that has helped me and my blossoming photography career. Your well wishes and support have gotten me to this point and I couldn't be happier or more hopeful for the future.