I belong to a camera club which is one of 42 clubs across the north of England. All of the clubs come under the umbrella of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation (NCPF), which in turn is part of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB).

Each year, the NCPF holds a competition to find the best club photographers, whose images are then used to represent the North of England in national PAGB competitions.

Due to bereavement, moving home and then renovations I haven’t taken part in Federation competitions for a couple of years but this year decided to get back on the horse. I had no clue how my images would do, as it feels like I’ve been out of the photography loop for what seems like forever and both trends and skill levels move on quickly.

I was relieved to hear on the grapevine that I’d done OK, but when the results were formally published I was unprepared to receive no less than 5 individual trophies, including overall best photograph in all sections. To say I’m tickled pink is the under-statement of the year – “gobsmacked” would be more apt!

I so vividly remember entering my first NCPF Annuals competition as a beginner back in 2014. The images I saw winning trophies seemed so far beyond my reach and I had absolutely no confidence in my own ability as a photographer. I’m in a very different place now, but the joy at having my work recognised is still as vivid as ever. That my images, and the messages they contain, are seen and felt by others is deeply moving and of course to receive recognition from the judges, whose own work I admire, is humbling.

I’m off to celebrate with a brew and an Aero Bubble bar 😊.