I owe my photography journey to my little dog, Bertie, without whom I would not be a photographer at all. I adopted him from a shelter back in 2011, didn’t even own a camera (this was before phone cameras were any good) and had zero interest in amateur photography. I went on Ebay and bought a 3rd hand DSLR simply to take some photos of my new dog to share on Facebook. The rest, as they say, is history.

However, there is also a person without whom I would absolutely not be the photographer I am today or even be writing this post. He was the Competition Secretary at my first camera club, who talked me down off my high horse when I went home fuming from doing badly in a competition one night during my second season, after which I was so despondent I genuinely thought of quitting photography and never looking back. Despite being 20 years apart in age and as different as chalk and cheese we became unlikely friends and he has been the most instrumental person in my photographic life.

He has encouraged me, helped me, driven me to speaking events, championed me, kept my interest going on the numerous occasions it has waned and celebrated every one of my achievements, including driving me down to Pontefract when I applied for my DPAGB distinction back in November of 2018. Today it was my turn to return a tiny bit of that support.

My dear friend today applied for his DPAGB at the Awards for Photographic Merit being held in Dalston, near Carlisle in north Cumbria. Assessed by a panel of 6 judges, I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that his 15 prints were successful by a good margin and he was awarded his distinction. So proud of you John, thoroughly deserved and I couldn’t be more delighted.