I am absolutely honoured to have my underwater image of Georgie from my Children of Salisbury - Life After Lockdown series shortlisted in this most prestigious of photography competitions, the Sony World Photography Awards.
Shortlisted to just ten images from over 167,000 entries, the competition recognises talent across the globe and to be counted among them is an absolute highlight of my career. I am absolutely over the moon to have been included in such an amazing lineup of photographers from around the world and the calibre of the work is just outstanding. Do grab a coffee and browse the shortlist below to see all the amazing images.
Taking the image itself was hilarious - trying to hold my breath and stay underwater long enough to capture some frames, not really being able to see a whole heap through my goggles and the underwater camera housing, freezing cold.....Georgie was ever patient with me diving in and out endlessly while I tried to capture the shot and I couldn't be happier with the result.
Here's Georgie's story from Children of Salisbury - Life After Lockdown, tales of how the pandemic, despite all its upheavals and challenges, had a positive impact on Salisbury’s amazing children, now and in the future.
As a competitive swimmer with Salisbury Stingrays, dedicating endless hours to the water is part and parcel of daily life....early morning training and weekends spent travelling to swim meets around the country, all accompanied by a huge dose of dedication and sacrifice from the whole family. Lockdown meant an overnight shutdown to all of that. In part, that meant a welcome relief to the treadmill of training and a chance to slow down and just
...be.
But for this young lady at least, whilst the downtime was welcome, it crystallised to her just how much she missed the water. She relished her first time back in a pool, resembling a dolphin being returned to the wild, emanating undisguised pleasure as she flipped about in the water. And when it was time to get out again, it was clear that lockdown had been such a long stretch of time since her team onesie barely fit her anymore.
When training finally resumed, doubtless she will have dived back into the water with a renewed enthusiasm and passion that only an enforced break could have engendered. There's a quiet determination about her...definitely one to watch for the future.
We raised over £5000 with Gift Aid for The Stars Appeal and Action for Children , find out more about this charity project at www.childrenofsalisbury.co.uk