My first photography win

Over the last few years, I’ve entered a handful of photography competitions, mildly optimistic but never really expected to hear back. So when I got the email from BVA telling me my favourite photo had been selected as a winner in their 2021 competition I was in total disbelief! When it comes to photography, I’d call myself a happy amateur – I take photos because I love to – so getting a little bit of recognition for something I’d be doing regardless was a massive boost to my confidence. I couldn’t have been more ecstatic to have my photo counted alongside the other fantastic winners.

My love of photography

It’s been a real privilege to have photography as a creative outlet over the last few years, although really, it’s been a lifelong joy of mine. I was always asking for a camera for my birthday as a kid and went through a series of little cheap digital cameras and disposables that were usually promptly lost. My first camera phone was full of blurry photos taken on holidays, and on day trips I would stop my begrudging friends every few minutes to take photos of every passing pigeon, seagull and post-box. I got my DSLR when I was eighteen, taught myself to use it, and to this day I’m rarely without it. Unsurprisingly, my subject of choice is most often an animal of some kind, and though I might occasionally daydream about filming rare and wild species for David Attenborough or going on assignment for the National Geographic, for now I find it most rewarding to attempt to capture the little bits of beauty in my everyday life, my home, my friends and my family.

The winning photo

The photograph that ended up winning last year’s BVA ‘Happy pets that make us smile’ category was taken in 2019 when I was still very much a beginner, but no photo I’ve taken since has managed to top it as my favourite. The composition, colour, and wonderful expression of the dog all contribute to the energy and life of the image, but what I appreciate most about that photograph is how much luck was involved. I remember when looking back through my files to find it, I couldn’t help but laugh at how awful every other photo taken that day was – all blurred or out of focus. It’s a good reminder that it doesn’t matter how many terrible photos you take – the true art of photography is picking out the good ones.

Advice for the year's entrants 

There are lots of technical elements to a good photo, but I believe what makes a good photo great is the feeling it evokes. It sounds like a huge cliché but ask yourself: what story is your photo telling? What makes this photograph of a dog, cat or other pet different from all the others that will be submitted? Does it immerse you in the moment that it’s capturing? I’ve always loved that winning photo because it feels alive, I can almost see it moving – the seawater dripping from the dog’s fur, the owner’s yellow dress catching the breeze, the lolling tongue and toothy grin. It always takes me back to the day it was taken and, in a way, that’s far more interesting and important than good composition or lighting. You don’t need the best equipment to take the most effective photo – just a new perspective and good story to tell. If you have those, you’ll never take a bad photo.