Whoop whoop! Award klaxon!

I recently won first prize in Fujifilm’s prestigious ‘Life As You See It’ competition.

This image I took of my nephews was chosen by a panel of expert judges from 2,500 entries across the UK.

It was a lovely surprise to find out I’d been shortlisted, which earned me an invite to an exclusive exhibition at Fujifilm’s House of Photography store in Covent Garden, London.

Seeing my image on the wall alongside the other 125 shortlisted entries was amazing in itself. Featuring in Fujifilm’s official promo for the competition was pretty cool too.

I didn’t hold out much (if truth be told, any) hope of winning – and even less as the third- and second-placed photographers were announced.

So I was it was a massive shock when my name was called out as the winner and the photo was beamed on to the giant projector screen. Surreal doesn’t do it justice.

I have mixed views on awards.

Photography is so subjective that what one person loves could just as easily be hated by another. A photo is exactly the same before or after it wins an award, regardless of whether a few people say they rate it. And, at the end of the day, who actually cares…?

But this award was special to me for several reasons…

First of all, it’s a photo of my nephews, who mean a lot to me. They’re my son Zac’s best buddies too, and I’ve seen them grow from the toddlers they are in this photo to smart, funny, perennially entertaining young boys.

The image says so much about their characters – one so nosy he looks like he’s about to eat my camera, the other glued to his squirrel teddy and keeping an eye on life in his own way.

Long since one of my favourite photos, a framed version has been hanging on their nana’s wall for a good while, so it means a lot to the whole family. I’m told the boys are enjoying their moment of ‘fame’ too 😉

I even had the ‘honour’ of being the one in front of the camera (not my natural habitat) when I was interviewed by Fujifilm’s video team.

Winning this award from Fujifilm is a big deal for me. I’ve been using Fujifilm equipment for years and I particularly love that this competition was very much in keeping with their vibe: mega-expensive camera not needed, imperfection embraced, and definitely no fancy-pants editing.

In Fujifilm’s own words…

“It’s all about getting creative and sharing your memories. This project aims to celebrate your unique ways of seeing and sharing that with the world.

“Technique was never the main focus. Instead, we looked for the emotions behind your images, and how they were represented through the lens.”

This is very much my photography ethos – I couldn’t even tell you my camera settings for this image – and it was amazing to see so many other brilliant pictures that were better simply by virtue of not being perfect.

Seeing my image hanging on the wall was a special moment, but to win a Fujifilm X100VI limited edition camera to go with my award was the icing on the cake.

I later found out that these cameras are like rocking horse poo. Only 1, 934 were made – to mark the year when Fujifilm was founded – and it turns out people are going to ridiculous lengths to get hold of one.

My image was exhibited in the public gallery at the House of Photography after the event, and it will form part of their next exhibition called ‘Life Captured’.

Thanks to Fujifilm and well done to all the other entrants who made the event what it was.

Read more and check out all the winning entries.

My winning photo sums up my approach to family photography: No awkward posing. No cheesy grins.

I’m all about documentary photography – candid, natural, unposed, call it what you like.

Reality is the good stuff.

Do you treasure family photos? You can’t stand the idea of formal portraits? Is your phone full of selfies?

It doesn’t have to be this way…

Whether you’re looking for a Manchester family photographer or live further afield, check out my latest work and contact me for details of fun, relaxed, natural family shoots.