2022 has been pretty quiet for me on the awards or exhibitions front.

The truth is, I took a step back in entering any of my images into anywhere. If I did, I tried to be very selective about choosing where to get my photos shown. And trust me, I got a good number of rejections as I did with the photographs that got accepted. I’m OK with that. Maybe it’s all part of the game in the competitive world of the photography industry (or in certain photography genres), but I prefer to think of it as it is part of the process of being an artist. You fail, you learn, you improve. Unless you get good at cheating the system, which I am not.* I am also not good at judging what of my own images are deemed good in someone else’s eyes. I trust my gut instinct, and hope that’s enough for others to like it too. But throw in a healthy dose of imposter syndrome and I’m locked into being indecisive to the point where I missed the submission deadline altogether.

It’s exhausting to say the least, keeping tabs on when competitions or exhibition calls happen. So I find it is better to step away from that side of it - it’s not really what I enjoy doing or the reason why I like making photographs. I know I love doing what I enjoy most, which is making photographs that are interesting and interest me. None of that needs anyone else’s badge of approval. Ok, apart from my commissioning clients and a handful of people who I respect for their artistic eye.

There is an advantage to being more considered in how and where I submit my photos. I have found that I enjoy having my images featured and am appreciative of the recognition that is given a lot more, when there is no expectation to move on in search of the next award. Being released from the pressure to succeed or convince others on whether my photographs have a place in a competition, I am able to find meaning through doing the opposite - photographing what really excites me and being able to engage with those who are like-minded in that way too. I’ve shared some collaborations that have arisen through that, such as my freelensing projects, as well as photography projects that I have done independently on my own. I believe some of my best work have arisen from this, which gives me a tremendous buzz that is more fulfilling than any title or an award I could receive. Not that I am not grateful of the awards I’ve been lucky to have won, I am just happy to arrive at a place where I believe there is a more fulfilling way to find one’s own joy without relying on it coming from external sources.

*No, I don’t believe there is a way to cheat in a photography competition and winners are judged on their merit, however, getting to know how a competition works or what the judges are drawn to could help in identifying the images to enter. I’ve never been inclined to put enough thought into either, as I said I trust my gut to tell me what works. It hasn’t failed me, most of the time.

SHUTTER HUB PUBLICATIONS

It is lovely to receive recognition on images I am proud to have made, especially when it’s unexpected. I’m proud to share that two of my photographs have made their way into two photobooks this year; both of which were chosen and printed by Shutter Hub.

The first image is in the photobook, titled Road Trip. It features imagery that transports you to places in the photograph; evoking a sense of nostalgia and adventure of the things we notice and are often overlooked on our travels.

The second photobook is Everyday Delight, a theme and title I specially love as it is prompted by the finding of joy in the little things and to appreciate the beauty that is around us in the everyday. The book edition also brings a special meaning for me, because it was at the first ‘Everyday Delight’ exhibition run by Shutter Hub, in conjunction with the Free Space Project, that I had my first-ever photograph exhibited in London.

I am grateful to Karen Harvey, Creative Director of Shutter Hub, for selecting my photographs to be included in your publications and showcasing them alongside some other truly amazing photographers.

Book cover and inside images by Karen Harvey and Jayne Lloyd.

ROAD TRIP and EVERYDAY DELIGHT images in the book by Diana Hagues.