A Year in Review 2020
A Year in Review 2020
Well, 2020, what can I say.... you didn't quite turn out as planned!
This year was supposed to be my best yet. At the beginning of the year, all my ducks were in a row. Fast forward a few months and I didn't even know where my ducks were. It's been tough, I won't lie.
This year has been all kinds of wrong.
Difficult times for everyone.
But let's look at the positives...
I spent the first lockdown shooting look books for lingerie brand Playful Promises, photographing lingerie from my dining room table in between home schooling two little girls. In fact, I found my daughter in her bedroom with white paper on her table, a lamp over it and her knickers laid out. I asked her what she was doing... 'Photographing my knickers Mummy, like you.' Eek! Moving swiftly on...
My greatest achievement, by far, this year has been being announced as a finalist in Image of the Year competition with this image of model, Blossom & Buttercups. It's the second year in a row I have received this accolade from the Guild of Photographers. From over 16,000 images, I have made it to the final 10 in the Portraiture category. (The winner is announced in 2021). To receive recognition like this, from a panel of international judges, really does make me proud!
On a professional level, I achieved my Q qualification with the Guild of Photographers, having submitted a panel of work for their assessment. Onwards now to Craftsman status...
I also managed to move to a larger studio mid lockdown. You can see more of the studio in my Studio Tour feature.
My teaching skills have been in demand this year, with more 1-2-1s than I have ever done before. Webinars have also been a new thing for me this year. My first ever was for the Guild of Photographers entitled Confessions of a Boudoir Photographer and I was terrified! They then asked me back and I presented Portraits with Impact which I have also presented for various UK Camera Clubs and for the largest female photography group, Sheclicks.
Recently, I was honoured to be asked back by the Guild of Photographers as one of their panelists on their Creative Light event, alongside some of the leading photographers in the country, speaking about Child Photography (yes, my alter ego is family photography Emma Finch Photography).
As someone who has always turned down speaking engagements in the past, it has been a great exercise to push myself out of my comfort zone and get used to presenting to large groups.
On the publications front, I've had two articles in PhotoPlus, the Canon Magazine, three in Amateur Photographer, one in Digital Photographer and a spread in PinUp Kulture. It's always great to see your work in print but I'm now being asked increasingly to share my expertise and knowledge and I love that I can help others improve their photography too.
With more commercial work than ever before, I have been happy to have shot various lingerie brand campaigns which I hope to be doing a lot more of in 2021!
Here are my most popular images of 2020.
Emma Rose Bland, Penny Lick, Rachel Frances (x4!), Miss Pearl Curl, Millie Dollar, Miss Leigh's Boudoir.
Many thanks to those who have worked with me, booked me, supported me and encouraged me this year.
Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas
Stay Safe
&
Here's hoping that 2021 turns itself around & we have a Spectacular Year !
Emma
xx
