(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
This is not what it might look like. The priest asked the congregation to bless the bride and groom by holding their hands over them. The effect is a little surreal and could be, er, you know, misinterpreted. (c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
(c) Roger Overall 2009
The last day of 2009 brought a nice surprise.
While shopping for a suit, I found a copy of the January 2010 issue of Professional Photographer magazine with the results of its 2009 awards. I knew I’d been shortlisted in the Social Reportage/Wedding category, but didn’t know what had come of it. Turns out my entry, which was reproduced in the magazine, was commended. That’s jury speak for “Very Good, But Not Quite Good Enough”.
Still, better than a kick in the teeth, no?
Commended in the 2009 "Professional Photographer" magazine awards. (c) Roger Overall 2009
I should also point out that the results were recently announced for the European Photographer of the Year Awards.
I entered two categories … [drum roll] … and didn’t make a mark in either.
The next awards to be announced that are relevant to me are the National Photographic Awards here in Ireland. That’s not until the end of February, though.
Given that the last documentary photograph I posted in 2009 was of my daughter, it is only fitting that the first pictures of 2010 should also be of her.
I bet she has a tummy ache tonight.
(c) Roger Overall 2010
(c) Roger Overall 2010
While enjoying a Christmas lunch with Paul O’Mahony (Omaniblog), he asked me about my 2009 highlights. I have scant recollection of what I said, but they would have been something along the following lines (in no particular order):
1) New friends, of whom Paul is one, introduced to me in most cases by Twitter;
2) The recognition my work received in 2009, starting with the National Photographic Awards here in Ireland and finishing on New Year’s Eve with the commendation in the Professional Photographer magazine annual awards;
3) The clarity of direction that I now have for my business, thanks in no small part to the SmarterEgg book club for entrepreneurs that I’m a member of;
4) The family trip to Houston, our first for a decade and Emily’s maiden US voyage;
Accentuating the positive is healthy. It is equally important to recognize the negatives. In that light, I can admit that I made mistakes in 2009. On the business side, for instance, I got pinned down for several months towards the end of the year with a horrendous amount of post-production on wedding albums. A consequence of decisions I made two years ago. As a result, some of my wedding clients had to wait longer than I would have wished for proofs and final books.
Still, recognizing where things went wrong shows me how I can improve. In fact, I managed to implement a solution for my album predicament even while I was clearing the backlog.
Looking ahead, these are my photographic and business ambitions for 2010, again in no particular order:
1) Get fitter. Better stamina will mean increased alertness when I’m shooting, which in turn will mean better photographs;
2) Revamp my post-production, both in terms of the feel of the final photograph and the time it takes to achieve it;
3) Learn more about video. I have no ambitions to be a videographer, but video is becoming increasingly important in our industry;
5) Win more awards;
6) Continue to make friends. And keep the ones I have;
7) Shoot one major corporate documentary project.
