Before the pandemic I’d only ever entered Camera Club related competitions, including Exhibitions (aka Salons) run by the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) which are international organisations affiliated to Camera Clubs around the world. But during the Covid lockdowns nearly all photography competitions, many of which involved prints so were considered an infection risk and involved having to physically get your prints to the competition, ceased so I looked further afield for ways to have my work seen.

I first entered the International Photography Awards in 2020 and although my very first entry was unsuccessful my second, in 2021, was not and I was awarded my first Honourable Mentions. I’ve entered the IPA every year since and have, to my gobsmacked amazement, been awarded every year either by having my work make the final round of judging or by receiving an Honourable Mention. I haven’t yet won my category but, although it seems a bit trite to say, I still feel like a winner not least because I enter the professional competition despite being a rank amateur.

The rules for IPA state that if you “have had your photographic work published, and/or are a member of a photographic association or organization” you are classed as a professional, though to be fair I think this is a bit harsh. I’m up against people who make their entire living from photography, while I’ve taken most of my photos in the spare bedroom at home and barely make a bean from my hobby, however rules are rules and I honour them.

This year my image, ‘Burning My Bridges’ has again made the official selection though still hasn’t reached the dizzy heights of winning my category – always the bridesmaid never the bride 😉

The picture was born from my experiences of relationship abuse, in particular the last year of my beloved Mum’s life.  Both she and I were abused and then badly let down by the authorities meant to protect us.  It took a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman to force Social Services to admit that they’d flagged Mum as at risk of abuse and had failed both her and I in their safeguarding duties.

Worse, though, were those people who believed the smear campaign of lies told by our abusers. Smear campaigns are common tactics to detract away from the abusers’ behaviour in a manoeuvre called DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender). Some people who had known both Mum and I for decades, we were even related to some of them, supported our abusers and to not intervene to help a dying woman or me as her legal guardian, particularly as I am living with a brain tumour so am also vulnerable, is unforgiveable.  Their bridge to me has been well and truly burned.

That this very personal image made the final round of judging is a huge honour and to hold my own in the professional category amongst people who photograph Royalty and take pictures from war torn countries while I’m a mere amateur working exclusively in Cumbria blows my mind. It just shows, though, that you don’t need to travel to exotic locations or possess expensive equipment to make a successful photograph – just time, dedication and a bit of imagination.