** I am no longer a member of 'The Guild of Professional Photographers' due to cutting back on monthly subscriptions, however I am proud of the achievements I made whilst an active member.

I joined 'The Guild of Professional Photographers' in 2020 during lockdown. It is a highly respected association for photographers from all different genres. Each month they hold 'Image of the Month' competitions (IOM) which photographers are welcomed to enter photos into that they are particularly proud of.

There is a chance to be awarded for high standards of work and if you are awarded, you get to share that award across your business pages and website as recognition. Entries are assessed by a panel of experienced judges in accordance with national competition judging criteria. The grading is as follows:-

• A Platinum Bar - Images of exceptional or outstanding quality (only awarded to the ultimate of images.)
• A Gold Bar - Images of particular distinction (very rare)
• A Silver Bar - Images that are well crafted (difficult to achieve)
• A Bronze Bar - Images of a strong standard at a national competition level (something to be proud of)
• Classified - Images of a standard worthy of acknowledgement but which are not deemed award winning at national competition level. In many cases it is possible that with one or two tweaks these images could have scored even higher.
• Not scored

September 2020

I decided to have a bit of confidence and enter IOM for the first time since joining The Guild. I was really nervous but thought, it will only push me to keep getting better at what I do so I have nothing to lose. I entered 3 images and won 2 bronze bars and my other image was classified! I am so proud that I achieved that with my first ever entries and now it has made me excited to enter again!

October 2020

I entered 3 images again this month and was awarded another bronze bar and 2 classifieds. I am so happy that my work is staying consistent shoot to shoot and I look forward to seeing how I progress in the future. So happy! (and to make it even better, this photo is one of my bestie's son and his little family which made it all the more special.)

November 2020

What a way to end a pretty rubbish year for the world. My third month of entering the Guild's Image of the Month Competition and the last one for 2020. I won 2 bronze bars again and 1 classified! To say I am happy is an understatement. I have only been a professional studio photographer for just 12 months and to have come this far in such a short time has just blown my socks off! Here's to 2021 and whatever it may bring. I promise to keep pushing to bring you the very best images to treasure forever - Gem x

October 2021

After taking a year out of entering the Guild IOM month after month, I finally entered 3 images that I was really proud of. I was so pleased to receive the news back a couple of weeks later to say I had won 2 bronze awards for 2 of of the 3 images I entered, the 3rd being classified. I am smiling like a cheshire cat knowing that my work is considered 'award winning at competition level!'

DECEMBER 2021

This month I was taken by surprise when Aimee from The Guild of Photographers contacted me and told me that one of my images had been chosen as 'Image of the Day' with the Guild. I couldn't believe that one of my images had been chosen from thousands of entries this year and honestly, I was a little blown away. It may not be a huge achievement but every little triumph is another push to better my work. And just as this image of little Olivia shows, I'm reaching for the stars!

DECEMBER 2023

This month I decided to take part in a photography competition that I have never entered before. I had a break from competitions for quite some time so I could focus on my craft and develop my skills further. Upon entering 3 images, I was surprised to see all 3 were classed as winning images. This competition is a worldwide one with people entering from all over so I couldn't be more proud to have all 3 make it through as winners.

I have submitted a number of images into publication competitions and have been so thrilled to have been chosen to have some of my images published in magazines. This year saw 4 of my images chosen to be featured in 'Bump, Baby & Beyond Magazine' which I am incredibly proud of. You can take a look at the mags in my studio!

Lockdown at the beginning of 2021 was not going to see me sitting twiddling my thumbs so I entered a competition to have one of my images published in 'International Kid Model Magazine' and I was one of the lucky winners from 600 worldwide entries! My image was published in #issue 92 - February 2021.

Another of my images was then chosen for #issue 93 - March 2021 for the baby and toddler issue.