An amazing achievement for me as a specialist newborn photographer and something I really wanted to share with you all.
When I started my professional photography journey 8 years ago and decided to specialise in newborn sessions I did not dare to dream I would end up being named a Top Ten international newborn, maternity and baby photographer by The Guild of Photographers not once but two years in a row. But here I am :) Let me share some of my journey and the award winning images with you.
Over 8 years ago, after my training I started offering mobile newborn sessions across Surrey, I used to visit my customers and carry everything but the kitchen sink with me :) All the while learning, training, perfecting the craft and entering the Guild's monthly competition.
I thought I had what it took and used to throw my toys out of the pram on results day if I did not get awarded what I thought my images should have achieved :) I would usually spend a day being cross and then I would go back, get feedback on where I went wrong from one of the judges and mentors, go back to the drawing board and start again.
As my business grew and I started to receive Bronze Awards for my images and achieve the Photographers Bar in Newborn category year on year but the dream of being in the Top Ten kept me wanting more.
Eventually I set up my own cosy studio in Cheam, filled it with gorgeous props, baby outfits, hats, headbands, soft blankets and started offering relaxed and personalised studio newborn and cake smash photography sessions. I worked on perfecting my images, defining my style all the while providing a beautiful experience and lasting memories to all my customers. I definitely value quality over quantity. I never treat my customers as one of many, anyone coming to my studio isn't just a number to me, each baby gets treated like one of my own and I adore it when customers come back again and again and I get to see the babies grow up and families grow.
In 2021 I actually received my first Silver award for my work and to my utter amazement I was awarded Top 10 Newborn Photographer for 2021. I was over the moon with the achievement. You can read more and see the awarded images HERE.
2022 saw even more Silver awards and I received a nomination for the Image of the Year. This meant one of my images would be in "The Book". Now this is a big deal. Every year there is a book published and available to photographers at the annual awards dinner where all the finalist images are published. This year I was finally one of them :) There are only 10 images per category shortlisted so it was an incredible honour to receive the nomination.
When I was awarded Top Ten Newborn Photographer in 2021 I came in 6th. This time I found out that I came 3rd for 2022! I still can't believe it and have to pinch myself. All the hours poring over images, planning sessions, styling set ups, shopping for props, editing the tiniest details and hours of learning and studying paid off.
I couldn't do any of this without you, my amazing customers who trust me to create beautiful images of their babies time and time again. I am truly blessed with the best job in the world and the best customers!
I enter the competition for my own growth, for professional recognition but the work that goes into creating these images helps to make me an even better photographer and helps me be the best I can be when it comes to taking photos of your family and your little ones.
Below are my award winning images from last year and I can't wait to see what 2023 brings and I can't wait to welcome you and your babies into my cosy studio in Cheam to create memories to last.
My award winning images for 2022
Love, Magda xxx