Well, that’s another year over already! What a whirlwind 2022 has been. It’s been an especially important year for me, as it’s my first year as a full-time self-employed wedding photographer. That in itself is something I’ll be celebrating! Running a business is no easy task but I’m only just getting started and looking forward to what the future has to offer.
The end of a year is generally a time for reflection and so that’s what this post is all about. Without sounding too big-headed I’m incredibly proud of the progress I’ve made this year in my life and my work and I’d love to share some of my favourite documentary images of the year with you. First though, a little bit about this year.
Investing in the Future
This time last year, I had just made the single biggest investment in my business to date (aside from quitting my job). I enrolled on Metanoia, a course run by two incredibly talented and generally lovely people, Erika and Lanny or ‘Two Mann‘. From January to April I was soaking in every piece of information they had to offer and since the beginning of the wedding season I have been implementing their knowledge and expertise at every wedding I’ve been lucky enough to be part of.
I cannot put into words the value that the Metanoia course has provided. I’m a firm believer in continued learning and growth and it felt so good to have a fire lit under me, pushing me to try new things, think in new ways and work harder than ever before.
Not only has my work improved as a result of this course, but it’s honestly made me a better person. More confident in my skills, ability and self-worth. I have only the highest praise for Erika and Lanny as mentors and people as well as documentary photographers.
Award Winning Photo Stuff
Being a one-man band is tough. There’s no one to pat you on the back at the end of the day and tell you that you’ve done a good job so sometimes self-gratification from awards is a great way of boosting your morale!
Being an ‘award-winning wedding photographer’ does make me cringe slightly, but it’s still something I’m very proud of. It goes without saying though, that it’s not nearly as important as the lovely feedback and google reviews I’ve received from my amazing couples this year.
But this year, I did win my very first award from This is Reportage, one of the biggest documentary wedding photography awards out there. Stood at the top of a hill in the Peak District with a bunch of other lovely photographers from the Kick Ass Collective, I got the email to say I’d been awarded and everyone shared my joy which was such a lovely moment and one I won’t forget (even with my memory).
I also got to judge the summer round of awards over at Photographers Keeping it Real which I really enjoyed. There’s so much great work out there so it was pretty tough to narrow it down. You can check out the winners on their website linked above.
After the winners had been announced I also managed to pick up a couple of member’s vote awards which I was thrilled about! You can see those photos below.
As well as that, my work has also been featured on a number of Fearless Photographers blogs, including a few photos of the week posts!
Personal Goals
My main goal for this year was to get my personal life back in check. I’d lost sight of it for quite a while as I’d been busy building up my business alongside my full-time day job of 7 years.
This year I’ve felt much happier and I’ve been able to spend more time doing the things I enjoy. Whether it’s the simple things such as spending more time with my dog and watching too many TV series or going to gigs, lunches with friends and on holiday with my partner, I’ve put so much more effort into my work/life balance and I feel all the better for it!
Next year I’ll be continuing this theme with a few more holidays and my first full festival, Download 20!
My Favourite Documentary Wedding Photos
That’s enough rambling from me. What I’d really like to share are some of my favourite documentary wedding photos that I’ve taken this year. Simple or complicated, obscure or obvious, these photos have stood out to me this year and I can’t even really explain why. I guess it’s just a feeling! So here we are. I’d love to know which stand out the most to you.
As always, if you’re on the lookout for a documentary wedding photographer in the Yorkshire area, I’d love to hear from you! You can get in touch on my contact page.
If you’re still hungry for more, check out the slideshow below for highlight from 2021.