Winners take all! ason Banbury’s success at the STEPHEN POWER ASKS AWARD An additional pressure was Master Photographer Associa- WINNING PHOTOGRAPHERS that the scene is only re-enacted Jtion (MPA) awards over recent once a year, so there was no years has been nothing short of WHAT DIFFERENCE THE opportunity to re-shoot it. phenomenal. He has won Interna- TITLES AND PRESENTATIONS The other portraits in his tional Master Photographer of the Associate panel submission seen Year and UK Master Photographer HAVE MADE TO LIFE on the next spread were taken of the Year for the last two succes- over a period of six months, with sive years. Jason and Lorna making around Add to that already impressive eight separate trips to the venue. haul his wins in the Fashion & Most of the images were taken Beauty, under 5's, MPA Welsh with natural light, with strobes Photographer of the Year and being used for a few others. The Welsh Pet & Animal Photographer painterly, olde-worlde look to of the Year categories and the images was reinforced with you start to get a picture of an judicious use of post processing, extremely talented and versatile including texture overlays, differ- photographer. “The Fashion and ent blend modes and temperature Beauty category is our real love adjustments in Photoshop, as and the Under Fives category is Jason was determined that he our main business as we are pri- didn’t want a modern look to the marily children’s photographers”, images. explains Jason. In terms of his awards success He began working as a to date, Jason feels that it has giv- full-time photographer in 2007, en him much more confidence in transitioning from a career in his abilities. “For me, the awards IT and initially concentrated on are a golden opportunity for per- architectural and motorsports sonal development and a reassur- photography. Jason says that the ance that the work I am creating decision to change his working is ‘en pointe’. Recognition at a life came about following some- high level is a fantastic confidence thing of an epiphany. “It was a boost and of course, it’s great for moment when I realised that life our clients to know that they are can be about combining a passion commissioning an accredited, with a career. I have a strong award winning photographer.” determination not to grow old Jason is already working on a with ‘what ifs’ and this drove me new concept for a possible MPA to make the move”. Fellowship panel submission in In 2010, Jason’s wife, Lorna, 2017. So, what advice would he joined him in the business, based offer to other photographers pre- in St Clears, Carmarthenshire. The Left – child photography from Jason, at its best. Above, a 2015 award success. paring images for major awards? main focus of their work shifted Jason’s decision to follow his There were some challenges “For me, it was all about to portraiture, predominantly with passion into photography ten inherent in taking the banquet- personal development” he says. children and families – a field years ago has been justified and ing shot (the first larger image I took the opportunity when that this talented couple find both rewarded many times over, not overleaf), including keeping the creating my Associateship Panel challenging and rewarding. only with a busy and successful public out of the frame as this was for the MPA to challenge myself by “The range of our work goes photography career but also a during a live event. “I was there in moving out of the proverbial com- from babies to ballet; families string of major awards and prizes an official capacity on the day, and fort zone. It was a gamble, but I to fantasy”, says Jason. “Lorna’s to his name. so the central spot in the seating feel strongly that qualifications are background in art and design His collection of period cos- arrangement was allocated to me. designed to push the photogra- brought an additional creativity to tume portraits entitled “1645” not However, members of the public pher, to aspire to new genres and the business and together we have only gained Jason Associateship of were milling around the sides build skills. Investing the time for developed a strong commercial the MPA, but achieved the highest of the frame, and it was quite my ‘A’ panel has certainly made style”, he explains. “Our main accolade of “Associate Panel of amusing”, explains Jason. “I knew me a better photographer and passion lies with our fashion and the Year” for 2016. “We enter what I wanted, compositionally this is reflected in my day to day beauty work and we embrace this awards not necessarily to win speaking, and I waited until the commercial work.” as an opportunity to showcase and them, but rather to test ourselves moment certain things happened, www.jasonbanbury.com nurture our creativity.” against our peers”, says Jason. to get the right shot”. Á 42 March/April 2017 ƒ2 Cameracraft ƒ2 Cameracraft March/April 2017 43 The photographs in Jason’s Associateship submission were based on the year 1645, the fourth year of the English Civil War and a JASON BANBURY time in which King Charles I was touring the country trying to draw up support for his campaign, following defeat at the battle The entire 1645 series which gained Jason ‘Best Associateship of the Year’ from the MPA in 2016. The original prints show superbly matched tone and colours throughout. of Naseby on the 14th June of that year. Jason’s images depict the arrival of the king and his entourage at Llancaiach Fawr, a forti- fied manor house situated in the Welsh Borders, home to Colonel Edward Pritchard and his family in August 1645. The models for the set of images were all actors or historical re-enactors: the depiction of the King dining at a large table laden with food and surrounded by servants and small children was taken during a live performance of the scene for visitors to the manor house. 44 March/April 2017 ƒ2 Cameracraft ƒ2 Cameracraft March/April 2017 45 iven that Adriaan van struggle with and Adriaan is no Heerden has been a seri- exception. “There are things you Gous photographer for only ADRIAAN VAN HEERDEN can do about that though, such around ten years, he has done as having portfolio reviews with remarkably well in terms of his across”, he explains. This was experts or have a circle of friends record of awards and competition something of a turning point for you trust to give you honest feed- successes. Adriaan and, perhaps paradox- back. The thing you don’t want is His awards include: First Prize ically, to his decision to enter for people just to say ‘that’s love- in the ArtGemini 2015 internation- international photography compe- ly’. You need people with artistic al Art competition (Photography) titions. “I felt that if I was going to sense, you respect, who can talk and being shortlisted in the 2016 fail with my work, I would rather intelligently about why they don’t version of that award; finalist in do so at the top – macro – level like a picture or why something the 2015 Black and White Charles rather be successful at the micro else appeals to them more.” Dodgson Award; finalist in the level.” Adriaan also felt that this Adriaan only enters paid 2015 and 2014 BBC Wildlife approach might be a useful way of competitions and works within Photographer of the Year Award; gaining recognition and attracting a pre-determined budget set Highly Commended in the 2014 attention to his work. He believes aside for entry fees. He also USA Landscape Photographer of that given the highly competitive recommends reading publica- the year competition; shortlisted nature of the industry it “can’t tions such as the Photoshelter for the 2014 East West Arts Awards do any harm” to be able to say Photographers’ Guide to Photo and Runner-Up (2nd Prize) in the that you are an award-winning Contests, which gives tips on how 2014 Art Has No Borders interna- photographer. to choose the right competitions Above: Santa Fé mountains, New Mexico. Below, stag and hind at sunrise in Richmond Park. tional arts competition – to name His first real success came and how to improve your chances but a few. around 2013 when he had an of winning them. “There are lots juried ones, as he does not have his competitions wins is that the right kind of people.” It seems When Adriaan moved from image selected for the Cork Street of cowboys out there ready to take a large social media following, he signed with a major fine art very likely that this talented pho- his home in South Africa to study (London) Open Art competition. your money, and the chances of which is often a pre-requisite for gallery at the end of 2016. “It was tographer is going to have a lot of for a PhD in Philosophy at King’s “It’s a highly competitive exhibi- winning some competitions are winning ‘people’s choice’ style another step on the journey of people talking for a long time. College, Cambridge, he was not tion open to artists working in all so remote that it’s akin to winning competitions. where I want to be”, says Adriaan. www.adriaanvanheerden.com planning a long-term career in media, which has some outstand- the national lottery.” He also does One major achievement for “What does count a lot is who you Ì photography.