"When you picked your camera back up in 2006-7 did you know you'd get all those letters and be doing this"
- The simple answer is NO!
Back in 2006/7 I had a big enough challenge just leaving the house, getting in my car and entering a multi-storey car park 5 minutes up the road. I was suffering very badly with ME and Fibromyalgia and had debilitating anxiety attacks regularly, I'd lost my job, friends, social life and identity. My self-confidence was at rock bottom and I didn't envisage having much of a future at all.
My photography, along with other self help techniques, helped me to repair my mind and body.
After a number of years in camera clubs, founding and co-running one, doing multiple roles within that and then in others I decided I wanted to broaden my experiences. I hate public speaking of any sort so judging seemed a fairly stupid activity to pursue....but challenges develop us. I could also see a need for younger judges on the circuit as the regulars are slowly retiring and numbers are reducing.
Covid hit us and bookings went to Zoom.....
"So where did presenting come from?"
- this was something I never intended to do at all! but.....when Covid hit at the beginning a lot of clubs were in trouble, both membership wise and financially. One club enjoyed my judging and asked if I had a lecture. I said 'no'. They asked if I could produce one at no charge for the following month. They wanted to book something in for the members and encourage them to use zoom. I didn't feel I had enough to sustain an evenings entertainment or be able to talk about my images that much....
As it turned out I was pretty wrong about that one!
Lecture 2 (mono) came about due to Gareth Martin. After judging their Mini Mono competition he felt I would be able to produce a great lecture for his club and even though it didn't exist it was still booked in - thanks for putting your faith in me on that one Gareth!
Ultimately I was driven to produce my first lecture so I could give back to the photography community and help clubs out at a time when they most needed it.
"Where are you taking your photography next - what does the future hold?"
- I have absolutely no idea!
I kinda didn't plan any of this, so who knows what's around the corner! I'm currently working my way towards my EFIAP/b, my BPE3 (slowly) and my ADPS. I'm not sure about going for the DPAGB yet, I think I have enough going on. Obviously, these goals are dependant on personal finances too.