Submitting a panel of work to be judged at SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) is a thrilling and challenging process for photographers seeking recognition and qualification. In this blog post, I will share my personal experience and the journey I undertook to submit my fellowship panel, which ultimately led to my second Fellowship with the ‘Societies’.
Receiving my Fellowship in 2019 was a significant accomplishment that motivated me to refine my skills and deliver exceptional work. Inspired by this achievement, I decided to embark on the journey once again and share the entire process from ‘Concept to Creation’ with my audience.
For the first time ever, I documented and revealed how to produce a body of work, consisting of 20 award-worthy prints, ready for submission to SWPP for qualification judging. The judging criteria included factors such as creativity, impact, storytelling, technical excellence, lighting, posing, print quality, and composition.
The Process
The pressure was on, but I embraced the opportunity to share every step of this process with my dedicated community at Kelly Brown Online (KBO). Throughout the journey, I provided insights into the decision-making process and highlighted the crucial aspects to consider when assembling a compelling panel of work. As I shared more details and progress, the community became increasingly engaged, offering support, empowerment, and encouragement.
Over the course of six months, I embarked on a labor-intensive endeavor. I handcrafted 20 giant flowers, meticulously photographed 20 newborn babies, edited each image meticulously, and printed all 20 photographs. The vulnerability I felt in revealing my process for entering awards was alleviated by the unwavering support of my amazing KBO community.
After months of anticipation, the time came for the judging event in London. The presence of my KBO tribe members, who were there in person to support and encourage me, was invaluable. I couldn’t deny the nerves, excitement, and anticipation that consumed us all as I stood before the judging panel, delivering my artist statement and observing their deliberation over my submitted work.
Regardless of the outcome, whether it was a pass or fail, I had committed to making this experience public. Standing before the panel, my heart raced with apprehension. The camaraderie and support from my fellow community members provided solace and strength during those tense moments.
The Outcome
I am thrilled to announce that I successfully passed the judging and was awarded my second Fellowship. The recognition and qualification bestowed upon me validate the effort, dedication, and passion I invested in this process.
If you’re curious to see the the ENTIRE process that went into creating my fellowship panel, I invite you to join Kelly Brown Online at www.KellyBrownOnline.com. By becoming a member, you can delve into the details of my journey and gain insights into the art of creating a distinguished panel of work.
Join me on this unique and inspiring experience as we explore the world of photography and strive for excellence together. Let us celebrate the achievements, share the challenges, and continue to grow as a supportive and passionate community of photographers.
If you want to read more about entering, preparing or editing for wards you can find more blogs about this here.
