NEWS FEATURE FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOGRAPHERS

We talk to Wendy Carrig who won a Gold in the 2019 Awards.  Wendy, a 
long term member, has been instrumental in reinstating the f22 group - 
Women Photographers at the AOP. Read more to find out about her winning 
image and the overall impact her continued involvement with the Awards 
has had on her career.

Tell us more about your Selected image and the story behind it?

This image forms part of a series of fashion portraits of photographer,
dog hotelier and ex-model Liddie Holt, taken at her home in Somerset.
This was a personal collaborative project that was later accepted for
publication.

Can you tell us something surprising about the image?

There were a number of dogs on set that day including dachshunds Ernie
and Vincent; and a gentlemen of a Giant Irish Wolfhound called big Ron.
It was also my assistant’s birthday, but she didn’t tell us! So a big
shout out to superwoman Julie Stewart!


What impact has being a gold winner in last year’s awards had on your career? 

Winning GOLD was euphoric and surreal, and I even received two new work
commissions the day after the Awards ceremony. I’ve since been invited
to speak at a number of photography colleges; and I am currently enjoying
judging SUN#31 the Shot Up North Photography Awards. Winning increases
profile and confidence, and gives conformation that the work we create
is enjoyed and appreciated. It has spurred me on to explore different
areas of photography and always challenge the perceived limits of my
own creativity.


What does the AOP do for you? 

The first year I set up on my own as a photographer I joined AFAEP and
was very pleased to have an image accepted into the Awards. That year
the Awards ceremony was held at London’s Cafe Royal and my work and
name was put in front of an amazing audience of high profile clients
and art directors. This type of exposure was a massive springboard into
the industry for me (possibly even more so in the days before social
media) and helped to immediately establish my career.  This year I
was pleased to be involved in the relaunch of f22, the AOP women’s
photography group. We aim to support AOP women photographers at all
stages of their career and challenge the continuing gender inequality
within our industry.

Have you got any advice for photographers considering entering the next awards? 

Be original. Be brave.  If you are not sure whether to enter your work
show it to your colleagues or share it on social media to help gauge
response, but make your own decisions. Take responsibility for and be
proud of the work you have created.

And women photographers, if we all enter at least one more image than
we did last year we could help make a difference to the gender imbalance
at the Awards, the AOP and the wider photographic industry.

Good luck to all!

PHOTO CREDITS :
Liddie Holt and Vincent at Storm Management
Art Direction by Jo Bell
Fashion Styling by Maria Francolini
Makeup and Hair by Lizzie Court
Production by Sam Turpin at Production Inc.
Photographer's Assistant Julie Stewart
Photography by Wendy Carrig represented by A&R Creative agency
Copyright Wendy Carrig ©2018 All Rights Reserved