Member Article

Local Photographer wins second place in International Competition

North East based fashion and beauty photographer Laura Jane Vest has been awarded second place in the Portrait Category of the Digital Photographer of The Year Awards, held by Digital Photographer Magazine.

Her portrait, of a local Tyne Tees Agency model was selected from thousands of entries worldwide to win the prize.

Laura says about her winning “We had three completely different set-ups on the shoot, one including an intricate set up involving water – difficult with all the electrical equipment. I took the portrait as a quick shot before packing up for the day as a gift to the shoot’s make- up artist, Kristina, who had done a fabulous job”.

It was the simplicity of this end of the day portrait that wowed the judges, proving that often it is simple shots that are the most effective. Judge Antony Spencer explains “The portrait has fantastic use of light, which results in a fashion style portrait. The model’s expression is perfect and I could see this image being used commercially anywhere!”

Laura has had many previous successes in her short photographic career, including being twice shortlisted for the title of Professional Photographer of The Year and having her photographs included in a Royal Photographic Society book alongside top photographers Terry O’Neill and Annie Leibovitz.

“I’m a strong believer in entering competitions, it is that element of you have to be in it to win it. Being from Newcastle I’ve grown up with the Geordie phrase of ‘Shy Bairns Get Nowt’ and it resonates strongly with me and sums up my willingness to just go for it”

The fashion shoot took place in Laura’s studio space, The Shed Gateshead, which is a creative hub housing over 30 different creative businesses through an initiative provided by Gateshead Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Laura Jane Vest .